Basic principles in the architecture of Nikola Dobrović

Abstract

Over fifty years since the death of architect Nikola Dobrović (1897­1967), his rich architectural practice has prompted a number of serious historical and scientific researches. In one of the first detailed studies, in an article entitled 'Nikola Dobrović or On the Increase With Time', nine key principles of Dobrović's architecture have been distinguished in a summary of previous studies. This paper is conceived as an imaginary dialogue with the author of the study, Ranko Radović (1935­2005), who was also an excellent architect and urbanist, professor and theoretician of contemporary architecture, as well as Dobrović's student and collaborator. Considering results of more recent researches, this work seeks to document and critically observe Radović's early insights and interpretations. Also, it aims to acknowledge, once again, yet from a new historical perspective, the value of Dobrović's 'messages and news, words and ideas, drawings and buildings, 'proper' space that is always part of the world' - as Radović has precisely pointed out.

U periodu od pedeset godina, koliko je prošlo od smrti arhitekte Nikole Dobrovića (1897-1967), o njegovom bogatom projektantskom opusu preduzeto je niz ozbiljnih istoriografskih i naučnih istraživanja. U jednoj od prvih detaljnih studija, u članku pod naslovom 'Nikola Dobrović ili o povećanju s vremenom', kao rezime prethodnih analiza navedeno je devet ključnih principa Dobrovićeve arhitekture. Ovaj rad je koncipiran kao imaginarni dijalog sa autorom predmetne studije, Rankom Radovićem (1935­2005), Dobrovićevim studentom i saradnikom, takođe vrsnim arhitektom i urbanistom, profesorom i teoretičarem savremene arhitekture. Imajući u vidu rezultate novijih istraživanja, rad nastoji da dokumentuje i kritički preispita njegove rane uvide i tumačenja, i ponovo, iz savremene istorijske perspektive, ukaže na vrednost koju imaju, kako navodi Radović, Dobrovićeve 'poruke i vesti, reči i ideje, crteži i građevine, 'valjani' prostor koji je uvek i deo sveta'.