The S.O.S Project / Save Our Slava

Anita V 3 D Section
The S.O.S Project / 3D section

The design proposal of this thesis has explored the following question: how can the understanding of Serbian tradition and site context inform an architecture that serves the function of faith? This thesis answers the question by attending to three main objectives that drive the design outcome. 

The first objective of this thesis focuses on the preparation narrative of the ancient Serbian celebration ‘Krsna Slava’ through investigation of Serbia’s cultural and traditional history. 

The second objective is the restoration of the religious connotations of the Serbian written language, Serbian Cyrillic. 

The third objective explorers and provides a framework for the author's personal connection to the site and the Serbian identity. 

The author's personal connection to the site and community aids in the form of a lens, which shows a reflection on the general attitude of a typical Serbian society. 

This project explores the research of Serbia’s cultural and traditional history, focusing on elaborating the preparation narrative of the ancient Serbian celebration, 'Krsna Slava'. Krsna Slava, more commonly referred to as 'Slava', is an annual Serbian Orthodox Christian celebration. Each household commemorates their patron saint by ritualistically preparing special food and wine; consecration, and celebrations in the home. 

Serbian culture, and the Serbian written language, are a continuous condition with varied uptake of interest in the church traditions. The design project clarifies the importance of the Serbian written language, Serbian Cyrillic, with respect to a new architectural typology which would accommodate the manifestation of the Krsna Slava preparation narrative. The material reification of the letterforms throughout the project reinforces their value and meaning as well as their link to the preservation of Krsna Slava. The overall goal of preserving this culturally specific script as a working language in this instance, associates the preservation of Slava’s preparation narrative and its religious connotation basis. It does this by means of architectural form, space and materiality, which distinguishes itself from the impact of the growing Westernisation of Serbia. 

The central creative output of this research was to preserve a time-honoured tradition in which script and action are key. This work embodies Serbian culture and tradition alongside site specific history, recognised Serbian values, and Serbian mentality. As a collection of buildings, the design project promotes a sustained set of buildings, not only through literal relation to food, but also with a space focused on a safe community environment.  

 
Anita V Exterior Perspective
Exterior perspective
Anita V Church Section D D
The Church House section D-D
Anita V Church Interiors
The Church House perspectives
Anita V Letters To Architecture
Serbian Cyrillic to architecture
Anita V Cook House Interior Perspectives
The Cook House Interior perspectives
Anita V Bunker Section B B
The Store House section B-B
Anita V Bunker Spaces
The Store House interior perspectives
Map Bombing
NATO bombing of FR Yugoslavia 1999, near chosen site