a-fact wins competition for Montenegro museum inspired by surrounding mountains

A group led by Milan/London-based a-fact has won an international competition for the design of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Natural History Museum, and Park of Arts & Culture in Podgorica, Montenegro. Selected from 48 submissions, the scheme is inspired by the nature of Montenegro, with stone cladding reflecting nearby mountains.

The project consists of three distinct yet related forms emerging from the riverbank landscape, aiming to connect the Morača River with the wider city. The roof of the proposed buildings connects with the landscape to host outdoor gathering spaces, while a wider landscape strategy includes the retention of 290 trees, 532 new trees, and 900 shrubs.

“The new museum district and the park of arts & culture will spark Podgorica’s social life, becoming a vibrant and dynamic public attractor,” said Andrea Rossi, Giovanni Sanna, and Pierluigi Turco, co-founders of a-fact. “The buildings promote a new paradigm of sustainability by encouraging the interaction between indoor and outdoor spaces and by exploring the contemporary use of local materials and construction techniques.”