vrbjani

More than 3,000 Corporative Centers were built across Yugoslavia in the 1950s, making it the largest construction effort of its kind and marked a pivotal moment in the transformation of Yugoslavian villages In Macedonia, we have mapped over 100 identical buildings, most in a state of decay, mirroring the current condition of the villages.

Map of Macedonia

Cities

Vilage + Cooperative Home

Map of former Yugoslavia

Cooperative Homes

The goal of this research is multidisciplinary, on a documentary level to preserve this phenomenon of cooperative homes, on a design level to provide an opportunity for their contemporary adaptable transformation, and on a methodological level to offer ways to read the programmatic and physical structure of rural contexts.

One of the main challenges of the building lies in its sheer mass and sacle, versus the compact village houses. By simply clearing the current structure while maintaining its outer framework, we preserve a tangible reminder of an era market by distinct social norms. We insert two minimal wooden structures, each possessing its own unique wooden framework. This not only creates a striking contrast with the massive shell but also contributes to its structural stability.

The first step toward achieving this transformation was to divide the original structure into two distinct volumes. This was made possible by completely opening up the entrance hall, which now serves as a transitional space, both physically and symbolically, linking the two independently functioning buildings through a specially designed structural intervention.

The connection between the interior and exterior is minimal, with the heavy stone walls drawing a clear and rigid boundary between the two. To counter this sense of enclosure, the building should be opened up, reducing its imposing mass while introducing a greater sense of fluidity and openness.

The newly constructed ground floor space, housing a café and shop, features fully glazed walls with operable partitions that can be entirely opened. This design enables seamless visual and spatial connection with the exterior, while also enhancing the flow between the front public courtyard and the more private rear yard.

In the second building, originally intended to house a cinema hall for party rallies, it was essential to establish a direct connection between the newly designed event hall and the public square. To achieve this, one of the few interventions on the original shell of the Cooperative House was made by opening up a portion of the existing external wall.

The first floor is designed to host accommodation facilities for a variety of guests including hikers, tourists, and small student groups. Above the kitchen, a cozy reading room and library is planned, accessible to both residents and visitors. The “Cardak“ an open, connective space between the two buildings, serves as a communal area for sitting and relaxation, maintaining constant visual connections with the café and event hall to foster a sense of unity and openness throughout the complex.

The two buildings are structurally independent from one another. Beyond ensuring the stability of the new structures and roof, the construction also reinforces the existing envelope, supporting the original walls. The entire interior structure, including the mezzanine, roof, and joinery, is crafted from wood, introducing a sense of warmth and lightness that contrastswith the solidity of the original masonry shell.

Once symbols of socialist ideals, cooperative homes have since fallen into disuse, their original purpose forgotten. Yet, despite their physical decline, these structures hold the potential to become catalysts for transformation, revitalizing the public realm and playing a key role in the renewal of Macedonian villages.

The structure of the public domain is being redefined at the local level through the introduction of specific spatial and programmatic elements that hold potential significance on a regional scale, fostering future networks and collaborations between villages. This project suggests that the constructed foundations of these settlements are not solely of historical or local value, but possess the capacity to support new and diverse narratives that resonate both locally and regionally.

Get in Touch

I would love to hear from you! Feel free to reach out for collaborations, inquiries, or just to chat about architecture and design.

Connect

Reach

filip.spaseski28362@gmail.com