The Way of Chipan

Architectural Exhibition | Publication | Discussion

On May 3, 2025, at 6:00 PM, the event “The Way of Chipan” marked two anniversaries: the 70th anniversary of the construction of the Ferial Resort building in Ohrid and the publication of Boris Chipan’s book “Old Urban Architecture in Ohrid.”

The event was held at the Institute of Film – Film Academy Ohrid and attracted a large audience of around 200 visitors. During the event, attendees also had the opportunity to obtain the publication “The Way of Chipan” which served as the foundation for the preparation of this event.

A special significance to the event was added by the presence of Boris Chipan’s son, architect Aleksandar Chipan. He expressed his pleasant surprise and joy at being part of an event inspired by the life and work of his father, concluding his welcome speech in the spirit of Boris Chipan:

“I had two great fortunes in life: one is to be an architect, and the other is to be Chipan’s son.”

Representatives of the Chamber of Authorized Architects and Authorized Engineers also gave a welcome address, extending an open invitation to all colleagues to seek their support in the realization of similar events.

The first part of the event featured a panel discussion on the topic:

“1955 – Architectural Heritage as a Foundation for Contemporary Design.”

The panelists were Goran Patchev, senior conservator and current director of the NI Institute and Museum – Ohrid, and Prof. Dr. Ana Ivanovska Deskova, professor at the Faculty of Architecture in Skopje, UKIM.

Within this discussion, the significance of Boris Chipan and his work for the city of Ohrid was first highlighted. The conversation addressed approaches to the preservation of architectural heritage, drawing on experiences from existing institutional protection in the country, and emphasized the need to activate protected buildings by integrating them into contemporary life.

The discussion also explored the influence of the educational process in shaping young architects’ attitudes toward the valuable heritage around us. It reaffirmed the importance of educational events and architectural exhibitions in raising public awareness of significant architectural examples.

As a conclusion, the panel emphasized the potential of Ohrid’s modernist buildings to continue the city’s unique historical layering.

The second part of the event featured a panel discussion on the topic:

“2025 – What About Modernist Heritage Today? The Architectural Competition as a Tool.”

The panelists were M.Arch. Marija Dimitrievska Cilkova, founder of the architectural studio Arhitektura Nova, and Prof. Dr. Jovan Ivanovski, professor at the Faculty of Architecture in Skopje, UKIM.

Within this discussion, the panel first highlighted the key factors and stakeholders involved in the process of an architectural competition, as well as the benefits such competitions bring not only to architects but also to other stakeholders, including institutions, the community, and end users.

The conversation then moved to a comparison of architectural practice in the country and the wider region, both in the past and today, illustrated through several concrete examples presented by the panelists.

A significant part of the discussion was dedicated to the recently conducted international architectural competition “Nautical Club Ohrid,” accompanied by a detailed explanation of the entire process—from the initial idea to its realization—emphasizing the importance of such initiatives.

The qualities of the awarded projects were presented and analyzed, revealing two prevailing tendencies among them:

1. Minimalist and sensitive interventions that pay due respect to the existing building (including the winning proposal).

2. Bolder approaches that aim to rival or surpass the existing building both programmatically and aesthetically.

As a conclusion, the panel stressed the importance of continuing such initiatives to explore the potential and development opportunities of a site or building through architectural competitions.

At the end of the event, visitors had the opportunity to view the exhibition, which was divided into two thematic sections.

• The first section was dedicated to the life and work of Chipan, his book “Old Urban Architecture in Ohrid,” and the project for the Ferial Resort “Mladost.”

• The second section presented the award-winning proposals from the international architectural competition for the revitalization of the Ferial Resort in Ohrid – “Nautical Club Ohrid.”

I AM A CAMPUS

School of Architecture and Design, University American College Skopje XII Architectural Summer School, Ohrid, North Macedonia 2025

"RESILIENT SCHOOL IN DECLINING DEMOGRAPHIES"

Leading tutors: Ana Kreč & Jure Hrovat

In the face of demographic decline, environmental degradation, real estate speculation, and seasonal emptiness, Ohrid’s central school quarter - home to several modernist educational buildings and shared public spaces - risks becoming a relic - or worse, a profit zone under threat from speculative development. This summer school invites participants to engage critically with the contested site around St. Clement of Ohrid Gymnasium and to examine how educational infrastructure can be reimagined as a resilient civic framework for multigenerational life-long learning and urban continuity. Through fieldwork, analysis, and design, we will explore how architecture can sustain public space and adapt to long-term demographic and environmental transformation—not through new construction, but through reinvention and reuse of what already exists.

The event showcases the transformation of schools, parks, and civic spaces into dynamic, multifunctional environments. Through their designs, participants explored how architecture can activate overlooked urban areas, especially the central school quarter of Ohrid—home to the Gymnasium "Saint Clement of Ohrid", the Grigor Prličev School, and the central kindergarten "Jasna Risteska."

From tackling the challenges of demographic decline and urban speculation to emphasizing the importance of community involvement and sustainability, our students’ projects highlighted the potential of architectural interventions to reshape and revitalize public spaces.

The projects focus on four major interventions:

1. Public Park – Reintroducing a green space as a shared area between the schools and the hospital building.

2. Forestgarten – Creating an innovative forest kindergarten using the surrounding green landscape.

3. Sponge Garden – Addressing rainwater management while enhancing public green areas for better comfort and climate control.

4. Playscape – A reimagined sports and recreational area transforming the existing schoolyard into a community hub for social and athletic activities.

Activate

Create

Transform

Activate, Create, Transform! aims to engage the youth of Ohrid through a series of activities. The project has a clear goal to expand educational opportunities and raise awareness about sustainable cities and communities by organizing events that integrate concepts of sustainability, culture, and public space awareness. These activities are designed to encourage active youth participation in developing innovations and practices that improve the quality of education and contribute to the sustainable development of the city.

What does public space mean to us?
How can we make our society more sustainable and more free?

100 YEARS
VANGEL NAUMOVSKI

On March 22, 1924, the visionary from Ohrid, Vangel Naumovski, was born. His creative work spans the fields of painting, poetry, woodcarving, architecture, and sculpture, representing a unique artistic wave within the Macedonian cultural scene.

On March 23 and 24.2024, as a tribute and expression of gratitude for his contribution, we marked the 100th anniversary of Vangel Naumovski’s birth with a large-scale mural. The piece is based on a motif from one of his graphic works created in Zagreb in 1970, rendered on an 80-square-meter surface alongside his portrait. The location deliberately chosen is near his home and creative nest, his studio, and has also inspired an initiative to name the public space, the small square known as “Mini Market,” after him.

Conversations about the Barracks

An event that included a public presentation of a master’s thesis along with a debate, exhibition, and publication

The goal of this event was to spark critical discussion about the future of the former “Mihajlo Apostolski” barracks, one of the largest green areas in the city and a significant architectural remnant of the 20th century. Through a presentation of academic research, an exhibition of findings, and an open dialogue, the event emphasized the importance of reuse, green space preservation, and the organization of an architectural and urban planning competition as fundamental principles for the site’s sustainable development.

Professor Dr. Misko Ralev, president of the Association of Architects of Macedonia, addressed the systemic issues related to architectural competitions in the country, highlighting the absence of a legal framework linking design competitions with public procurement processes. He pointed to a drafted rulebook on competition procedures as a meaningful step forward, stressing the urgency for its adoption to enable transparent and high-quality architectural practices.

Challenging the five-stars

Ohrid Summer School of Architecture 2024, led by Kuba Snopek

11th session of the Ohrid Summer School for Architecture and Design! The students have tackled the topic Challenging the five-stars through particular observations of the given case study of hotel Palas in Ohrid with multidisciplinary interpretation of the social capacity of building and its relationship with the natural and built surrounding. We want to emphasize the dedication of our friends, the leading tutor Kuba Snopek and the guest tutors Paulina Paga and Magda Zaworska for their pedagogical approach and didactical contribution to our school. Heartfelt appreciation to all participants, whose dedication and collaborative spirit have shaped this endeavor and successful realization of the 2024 session.

@ohridss is organized by the School of Architecture and Design, @uacskopje with support of the Ministry of Culture; Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Skopje; and Municipality of Ohrid, in partnership with @muzeum.osiedli.mieszkaniowych , Lublin; Direction, Warsaw; NI Institute for protection of monuments of culture and Museum - Ohrid; @weareproxy , Skopje; and the architectural collective Arhrid, Ohrid