A tribute to Ulcinj’s evolving identity—an architectural celebration of its imperfect charm.
This mixed-use housing project in Ulcinj reimagines the city’s evolving urban character through a colorful, rhythmic, and community-oriented architecture. Rather than importing a foreign style, the design draws from Ulcinj’s own language—arched openings, pastel-colored facades, scalloped balcony profiles, and vertical decorative railings—elements that emerged organically through necessity and adaptation.
Each building block adopts a distinct color, forming a chromatic gradient that enlivens the streetscape and gives each cluster a unique identity. These gentle tones—terracotta red, lemon yellow, seafoam green, and sky blue—not only reflect the warmth of the coastal sun but also foster a sense of place and orientation.
The facade pattern, with its playful scalloped edge, is a reinterpretation of common motifs found across the city—balconies, curtains, and sunshades—transformed into a cohesive architectural language. This repetition gives rhythm to the entire ensemble while allowing enough variation for individuality. The vertical slats introduce texture and light play, offering shade and privacy without disconnecting the users from the public life outside.
More than a residential project, the complex functions as a social microcosm. Rooftop gardens, shared courtyards, playgrounds, and shaded walkways create layers of communal space, blurring the boundaries between private and public realms. Commercial units on the ground floor invite daily life to spill onto the streets, enriching the urban fabric.
This project is an invitation to rediscover Ulcinj through its own eyes—to elevate what is already there, embrace its spontaneous beauty, and reframe its imperfections not as flaws, but as fertile ground for architectural expression.
