Academy of Performing Arts in Sarajevo by Archipelagos

The city of Sarajevo is starting to fulfill several cultural projects that, together with their prominent architectural designs mark the reconstruction of the city after the war. Such is the new building for the Academy of Performing Arts designed by New York-based Archipelagos, that is expected to open in 2010.

World Architecture News reported on new architecture for cultural institutions in Sarajevo, such as Renzo Piano’s Museum of Modern Art and a new building for Sarajevo’s prestigious educational institution, designed by Archipelagos. As part of Sarajevo University the new building of the Academy of Performing Arts in the Bosnia-Herzegovinian capital will house educational facilities and public performing spaces. The institution already plays an influential public role in the country and its wider region, as well as internationally. Therefore, the new building’s design is challenged to include this importance along with the requirements for an educational center.

The design by the architectural office Archipelagos from New York was unanimously chosen through an open design competition. It constitutes an eight-storey building with the overall size of 6,000 square meters, and will be located in the tight site of only 730 square meters in the city's center. The head architect of Archipelagos, Jonus Ademovic radically reinterpreted the proposed program, and regrouped programs based on their use and need for natural light rather than organizing space by departments, as it has been required. Practice rooms and labs are therefore located on the subterranean level, administration and classrooms at the top of the building. The public levels situated in between include the Main Theater, the Mediatheque and the Library. The central based grand staircase functions as a gathering space for students and links the ground floor, which is open to the plaza, with the rooftop, which will serve as an outdoor cinema and performing space. The institution is also connected with Sarajevo Film Festival that uses the facility for their festival during the summer months.