The Architecture of New Belgrade

The Architecture of New Belgrade is a city landmark when it comes to the architecture of Socialist Realism and Brutalism. At the core of the creation of this settlement is the idea about the creation of a new system in both political and social, economic and cultural terms. In the spirit of Le Corbusier, it was designed as a modern town functionally divided into zones – administration and government, industry and production, residential zone, recreational zone etc. For this reason, New Belgrade’s residential blocks were known as ‘dormitories’ for many years. After World War II, the establishment of a new state led to the transformation of this part of the city from green spaces and swamps into an urbanized area. After the conflict with the USSR, the original idea based on the foundations of Socialist Realism was reshaped into a tendency towards a modern pro-Western style of construction. The first buildings made were the Palace of the Federation (SIV building), Studentski Grad (Students’ Town), hotel Yugoslavia, Clinical Hospital Center ‘Bežanijska Kosa’ (at the time, Faculty of Forestry), Tošin bunar residential settlement (Paviljoni – Pavilions) and later the other residential blocks. The variety of styles applied include: ‘Socialist Estheticism’, international style, Brutalism and Metabolism, Postmodern architecture and New Constructivism.