Milan and London based practice a-fact architecture factory, in collaboration with LAND, Maffeis Engineering, and Charcoalblue, has won the international competition for Podgorica’s new Museum and Cultural Park. The project will consolidate three institutions, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Natural History Museum, and the House of Architecture, into a single cultural district along the Morača River.
The design is defined by three sculptural stone-clad volumes that rise from the riverbank as extensions of Montenegro’s mountainous landscape. Their bold geometry introduces a contemporary architectural language while maintaining a strong dialogue with nature. A green roofscape continues this integration, providing accessible terraces and panoramic views.
Inside, fluid circulation connects galleries, research facilities, and educational laboratories, encouraging both independent and collaborative cultural programming. Beyond the buildings, the surrounding park, planned with a blue-green infrastructure strategy, preserves 290 existing trees while introducing over 500 new ones, along with 900 shrubs.
Construction emphasizes sustainability through passive design, efficient engineering, and the use of local materials, minimizing the project’s carbon footprint. The result is a landmark that redefines the role of architecture in bridging urban life, cultural heritage, and natural landscape. 
Source: A-Fact with additional information added by Glass Balkan
