Positioned prominently along Bulevar Mihaila Lalića on the northern edge of the university campus, the library takes the form of an iconic cross-shaped translucent volume with arched edges at the top and open corners, inviting exploration and emphasizing accessibility. These open corners serve as welcoming entrances, complemented by canopies extending from the translucent façade that provide shaded, sheltered outdoor spaces enhancing comfort and community engagement.

The innovative building incorporates an ETFE facade that not only creates a striking visual identity but also provides exceptional thermal efficiency, daylight penetration, and lightweight construction, reducing energy consumption while fostering a bright, collaborative interior. Surrounding the structure on all four sides, bioclimatic sun greenhouses act as both environmental and programmatic buffers, harnessing solar energy to regulate temperature and offering shaded areas for relaxation, informal learning, and social interaction. Overall, this design seamlessly integrates environmentally conscious materials and passive strategies, contributing to a resilient and inspiring academic environment that bridges Podgorica’s historic context with the needs of a forward-looking university community.

DATA
Client: University of Montenegro, together with the Montenegro Ministry of Spatial Planning, Urbanism and State Property
Use: Library
Construction cost: €23.5 million
Bldg. Area: 10,223 m²
Featured material: ETFE
Status: International Design Competition

CREDITS
Architect: LUCA POIAN FORMS
Images: Slim Studio