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BIGZ BUILDING [1934-1941] Architect: Dragiša Brašovan The BIGZ building is one of the most famous architectural landmarks and works of Yugoslavian modern architecture, and in recent times, it presents a significant cultural, artistic and social spot. It was designed by Dragiša Brašovan, and it was constructed between 1934 and 1941 as the headquarters of the National Printing Institution of Yugoslavia.1 This interwar period was characterized by fast growth and significant modernisation. Belgrade’s population grew to 239,000 by 1931 (incorporating the town of Zemun, formerly in Austria-Hungary), and 320,000 by 1940. The population growth rate between 1921 and 1948 averaged 4.08% a year. In 1927, Belgrade’s first airport opened, and in 1929, its first radio station began broadcasting. The Pančevo Bridge, which crosses the Danube, was opened in 1935, while “King Alexander Bridge” over the Sava was opened in 1934.2 After the second world war, with founding of BIGZ (Publishing and Graphics Institution of Belgrade), the building switched to state ownership under the reign of Socialist leader, Josip Broz Tito, who remained president of Yugoslavia till his death in 1980.3 During the late 40s to 80s the building employed more than 3000 workers. After a social and economic crisis of the early 90’s, lack of funding left the building mostly unused and neglected. After a decade, by the turn of the millennium, it has slowly began to get occupied by few small businesses.1 Nowadays its brutal industrial design, big rooms and hallways, isolation and relative distance from residential buildings have greatly attracted many young artists, designers, architects, musicians and DJs. BIGZ remains the building’s majority owner, renting out its 25,000 square meters of usable space. Its units currently house printing offices, warehouses, music and art studios, night clubs, a capoeira school, radio-stations, a cultural center, a circus, etc. Among its more famous tenants is Čekaonica BIGZ, a jazz club. Since it contains such cultural, social and artistic diversity and richness, it somewhat unofficially became a centre of Belgrade’s art life. The BIGZ building is a very significant place for New Serbian Scene. Many bands practice in the building such as: The Schtrebers, DžDž, Metak Za Zlikovca, Stuttgart Online, Autopark, Petrol, Repetitor, Sinestezija, Tobija, The Branka, Damjan od Resnika, Bolesna Štenad, Brigand, Figlio Di
COMPLEX PROJECTS
Puttana, Vox Populi, Dažd, S.A.R.S., Very Heavy Sars, Pozdravi Kevu, White City Massive, and many others. Musicians of the BIGZ building have founded an organization called “Manekeni bigza” (fashion models of BIGZ), and they organize several festivals like “Festivalito” and “Bigz na Povetarcu” (BIGZ on a breeze). Most recently the BIGZ building is in the process of inclusion to Docomomo International project’s list for protection and preservation as a cultural monument of modernist architecture. 1 The BIGZ building is located in on the Northern corner of Belgrade’s neighborhood of Senjak, bordering the Mostar interchange. Senjak is known as one of the more affluent neighborhoods of downtown Belgrade.4 Sources: 1. BIGZ Building (latest update 2016, June 15). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ BIGZ_building 2. Belgrade (2016, August 30).Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgrade 3. Josip Broz Tito (2016, September 3). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josip_Broz_Tito 4. Senjak (latest update 2016, March 17). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senjak