Semiotics and urban culture: architectural projections of structuralism in a socialist context

ABSTRACT

The paper studies the relations between architecture, urbanism and structural anthropology, and makes a contribution to the interpretation of how the architects of former Yugoslavia translated structuralism into architectural theory and practice as a means of reading and shaping Yugoslav culture in the context of radical socio-political change. In striving for freedom of opinion, expression, communication and action, and autonomy of scientific and cultural practices, the Yugoslav society through its avant-garde cultural role initiated a shift of focus in urban culture towards semiotics, historicity, dialectics, creativity, criticism and a revival of the humanistic values of traditional culture. From this viewpoint, the paper examines the interests in theory and practice of the most influential Yugoslav architects in the context of structuralism: Mutnjaković, Neidhardt, Grabrijan, Bogdanović and Delalle. Their theoretical approaches effected a change of functionalist principles and values and advocated the return of values of the old city centre and vernacular architecture, specifically its vitality, symbolism, historical continuity, environmental values and diverse urban forms.

KEYWORDS:

• Humanization
• language of urban culture
• self-management socialism
• semiotic sign
• structuralism
• vernacular architecture
• Yugoslavia

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Danica Stojiljković is an architect and author. Within the field of architectural design theory, her major research area covers subjects of semiotics and anthropology in architecture and urban studies. Currently, she is finalizing PhD thesis entitled “Structuralism in architecture of Yugoslavia in the period from 1954 to 1980.” She is the author of more than 20 scientific papers. She is involved as researcher in scientific project “Theory and practice of science in society: multidisciplinary, educational and intergenerational” at the University of Belgrade – Institute for Multidisciplinary Research.

Dr Jelena Ristić Trajković is an architect, educator and author. She holds PhD degree in Architecture within the field of Architectural Design and Contemporary Architecture. She is the author of more than 30 scientific papers in the field of architectural design. Within the field of architectural design theory, her major research area covers subjects of social and environmental aspects of design. She is a Teaching Assistant at the University of Belgrade – Faculty of Architecture, where she is involved in architectural design and theory courses, as well as in several scientific research projects.

ORCID

Jelena Ristić Trajković http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8792-5599

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia [grants number OI179048]: “Theory and practice of science in society: multidisciplinary, educational and intergenerational perspectives”; and [grant number TR36034]: “Research and systematization of housing development in Serbia in the context of globalization and European integrations for the purpose of improving housing quality and standards.”