The CU Residential Building is located in the city of Niš, in a serene neighborhood of the city’s wider central area.
In accordance with the planning documents adopted only few years ago, new conditions for urban revitalization, modernization, and construction of this unjustifiably neglected part of the city were created. The proximity of the central pedestrian area, as well as the schools of law and economics of the University of Niš, makes this location very attractive for living and therefore for investments in the housing development.
The building has a basement, ground floor, and three upper floors, and includes 10 apartment units. Situated on the north border of the plot, the building opens to the other three sides and creates the beginning of the building row along the street. The building is pulled back from the very corner and that has created a diminutive piazzetta. This micro-level urban intervention provides refreshes the block area, which otherwise lacks any street greenery.
The building is entered on the south side, exactly from this open area. The entrance is placed centrally and the stairwell divides the whole building into two parts. This functional solution enabled the apartment access from each stair landings. The resulting half-level differences between apartments brought certain dynamics to the building’s façades. Thanks to this and to a further emphasis put on different heights of façade walls, the building achieves unique and impressive visual identity. Minimalist architectural expression, combined with high quality façade materials and precision in execution, which are all in stark contrast with neighboring buildings, gives an artistic air to the whole building. In this way, the building offers a type of architecture that the city deserves and points to potentials in the revitalization of the city block.