Novi Sad, Serbia_ Department Store
Architect: Milan Mihelić
Date: 1968-72

Novi Sad ,the capital of the Vojvodina province of Serbia, is located about an hour north of Belgrade. The city itself is organized with an older more historic city centre, which I found to be very active with colorful neo-classical facades, pedestrian streets and outdoor cafes. Moving outwards from the centre, Novi Sad grows both in street and building scale, most likely caused by the influence of the automobile. Mihelić’s project is uniquely located at a point where the edge of the historic centre intersects with a major boulevard.

The proect's ground floor has access to a grocery store and a major department store, while the upper four floors house various commercial shops. It’s comparable to a mall. I was immediately struck by the robust relief of the façade. Not only does the building turn the corner from a line of Neo-Classical street facades, but it moves to become integrated with various modernist projects along the street of Mihajlo Pupin.


View down from the centre of the city towards Mihajlo Pupin intersection


Corner of the the building.


Turning the corner of the building.


Department store along Mihajlo Pupin.


Along the street on the ground floor.


Detail of the facade looking up.