Elements of regional architecture in the works of architect Ivan Antic

Abstract

The body of work of Ivan Antić (Belgrade, 1923-2005), one of the most important Serbian architects who created his works in the period from 1955 to 1990, represents almost a reification of ideals of the times he lived in, both in terms of form and in structural and substantive terms. His work is placed within a rationalistic concept which is essentially experienced as an undisturbed harmony between his personality and the contemporary architectural expression. However, besides such way of interpretation, his architecture also includes examples indicating the thinking about the folk tradition, architectural heritage, the primordial, as well as the archetypal, typical for a region. In the context of the body of work of architect Ivan Antić, this paper will particularly place accent and track such threads of thinking which are, in an obvious or transparent sense, expressed in a series of realized solutions and designs such as the Guard's Home in Dedinje (Belgrade, 1957-1958), Children's Home (Jermenovci, 1956-1957), Museum of the Genocide in Šumarice which he designed together with I. Raspopović (Kragujevac, 1968-1975), 'Politika' Cultural Centre (Krupanj, 1976-1981), '25th May' Sports Center (Belgrade, 1971-1973), or his own house in Lisović near Belgrade. All the abovementioned buildings, as well as numerous other, which belong at the top of Serbian architecture, reflect the spirit of the time in which he created them. They clearly indicate the unbreakable bond which exists in architecture between the inherited, vernacular, contemporary and personal architect's attitude.