I haven't acted in a long time Dr. Ivan Vuković, the mayor of Podgorica - Posje naše - and it accumulated, thank God - which is most directly evidenced by the Facebook page "Ivan Vuković". On his website, the mayor zealously serves us an abundance of the most diverse information, with which he actively glorifies and exalts his bright image and his grandiose work - and that's exactly why that page is extremely dear to me. It is fascinating, to say the least, the way in which Isjo Vuković - a public persona par excellence - combines the private and public segments of his actions.
On the Friday before last, May 7, Isjo Vuković pleased us with a post in which he presented internal information that Filip Aleksic, the main architect from Podgorica - married - all the best Fiko, my brother, convey my warm greetings and congratulations to the respected lady as well - and that he - Isjo Vuković - was a witness at the wedding.
"Today", says Isjo, "30 and a half years after our first photo together, I had the honor of being a witness at the wedding of my oldest friend, and our Chief (sic - I would say there is a little "G" here - op.a. ) of the city architect, Filip Aleksić".
Isjo doesn't say, please - that Fiko is his best friend - Isjo says that Fiko is his "oldest friend". Maybe Isjo has a better friend than Fik - but there is certainly no older friend: "A friend and memories for a lifetime...".
Isjo Vuković posted two photos with the post - the first one is Isjo and the newlyweds - congratulations once again - and the second one is Isjo and Fiko - seven-year-olds, I would say - one is in the Red Star jersey, and the other is in the Buducnosti jersey. I'm not quite sure which is which (I hate looking for glasses) - but I would bet the fee from this text - for all the money, then - that Isjo is a star.
I would also like to remind you that back in September 2018, Dr. Ivan Vuković appointed Filip Aleksić, a graduate in architectural engineering, as acting chief city architect. On that occasion, a heated discussion took place in the dark architectural corridors on the topic - why Fiko? - and no... Various names were mentioned - but I would not go into details on this occasion. Be that as it may - now we know that Fico is Isjo's oldest friend - and we also know that all the scores you got in ESG Pi's happy school and all the awards from the University and all the awards at the Architecture Salons are absolutely irrelevant - if it doesn't happen that your "oldest friend ” be - by the grace of God - assigned to the post of mayor of the Capital City.
If someone were to ask me if, at this moment, there is a person - a young architect, very young, very sweet - or a young architect, just as young and just as sweet - who would do better than our very versatile Fiki in the role of the chief architect of Podgorica - I would imagine. I can't think of anyone at the moment - except for Viki Viki - who, as you know, is my absolute favorite for all high offices - both at the state and local levels.
And as for the post in which Isjo problematizes the eternal topic of Jusovača - the ruins of the former, notorious prison on Durrës in PG - about that in one of the next issues - because at this moment I can't help but notice that on May 11, in the past tuesday, dear sir Mitrovic - the Minister of Ecology, Spatial Planning and Urbanism (an architect aside, for now) - pleased me by responding to my text published in this same place last Saturday, May 8, under the title: "Ministers, be careful with important heritage".
So he says:
"On the occasion of the article published in ND "Vijesti" and on the "Vijesti" portal on May 8, 2021, and in connection with our approval of the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the building of the Technical Faculty in Podgorica, the Ministry of Ecology, Spatial Planning and Urbanism sends the following response:
It should be noted that from the very beginning the University consulted with arch. Pavlo Popović, one of the authors of this award-winning project. The author is also in professional communication with the chief state architect, Mirko Žižić, reviewed the project documentation and eliminated all parts that would even minimally threaten the authentic appearance of the building. The roofing of the two large outdoor amphitheaters on the roof of the building was abandoned, and the rather clumsy structure above the stepped roof of the central amphitheater was also removed. With these interventions, the University planned to solve the ever-present problem with moisture, however, the designer is focused on an alternative solution using modern waterproofing materials, which will preserve the stepped form of the existing roof structure. The reconstruction project was carried out according to the issued urban planning and technical conditions, and with our joint involvement, it was reduced in all disputed parts. It was practically reduced to an adaptation project, which would adequately rehabilitate or replace all worn-out and non-functional elements inside and outside the building. In this way, quality working conditions would finally be ensured in the facility of the Technical Faculties of the University of Montenegro."
In the signature: "MINISTER/ Prof. Dr. Ratko Mitrović"
Dear Mr. Mitrović - Minister of Ecology, Spatial Planning and Urbanism (architect aside, for now) - why on earth are you talking about "approving the renovation and reconstruction of the Technical Faculty building in Podgorica" - when in the Decision you signed on April 20 of this year ( Number: 01-379/3) - by which, in front of the Ministry of Ecology, Spatial Planning and Urbanism (the architect aside, for now), and the Directorate of the Chief State Architect, you give "consent to the University of Montenegro to the Conceptual Solution of the reconstruction and (now pay attention, Mr. Minister, please - op.a.) UPGRADING of the Technical Faculties building - expansion "A" and expansion "B"... designed by "ING INVEST" DOO?
So, on the one hand, we have a story about rehabilitation, reconstruction and adaptation - and in the aforementioned Decision you mention reconstruction and UPGRADING...
Dear Mr. Minister, I suggest that next Saturday, May 22 - in front of MEPPiU (architects aside, for now) and DGDA - you organize a presentation of the above-mentioned Conceptual Solution - by the author, of course, and with the presence of the above-mentioned Pavlo Popović, co-author of the project of the Technical faculty, and Mirko Žižić, chief state architect - in order to introduce the interested professional public to the character and scope of the planned intervention - reconstruction, rehabilitation, adaptation, UPGRADING...
After the presentation - which would take place right in the building of the Technical Faculties - we would go on a tour of the building, in order to make sure on the spot that you will do everything in your power to preserve the unique brutalist-metabolic character of that pearl of architecture from the period of socialism on the soil of Montenegro - equally in the exterior, as well as in the interior - please, respected Mr. Minister.
Bonus video:
