Conversation on brutalism: Interview with architect Branislav Jovin

Abstract

The emergence of Brutalism in Serbian architecture is mainly connected to the works of several architects, with Branislav Jovin being one of the most significant authors in this group. He is well-known for his project 'Belgrade Underground' and numerous other works, such as traffic intersection Mostar, the building of Institute of Urbanism Belgrade, New Belgrade Municipality building, etc. Jovin was equally successful as accomplished creator of ground floor architecture. His solutions for the pedestrian zone in Knez Mijalova Street and part of the Republic Square, the Sava River Quay and free space in front of Yugoslavia Hotel and the Congress Center Sava determined to a great deal the cosmopolitan character of Belgrade. When in 1970 he completed the building of Institute of Urbanism Belgrade, by using natural concrete as a tool to achieving expressiveness, Jovin, along with other architects - Mihajlo Mitrovic, Ivan Antic, Ljupko Curcic, Bozidar Jankovic, Branislav Karadzic, Aleksandar Stepanovic, laid the foundations for research of brutalist aesthetics in Serbia. Although majority of his works include urbanist-architectural projects and management of outdoor spaces, the inspiration for this interview came primarily from his architectural achievements. The aim of the interview was to emphasize the circumstances that led to emergence of brutalist tendencies in Serbian architecture, as well as to encourage further research of the brutalism aesthetics.