
The 2023 Annual Event entitled “On Architecture – Challenges in Design”, will be hosted by the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Gallery of Science and Technology and Rectorate of the University of Belgrade in Serbia 5-19 December 2023.
The Call for contributions invites researchers and practitioners to submit proposals for presentations that relate to the conference and exhibition theme and enhance peer-learning.
The deadline to submit proposals is 1 June 2023.
When
Conference
7-8 December 2023
Exhibition
5-19 December 2023
Where
Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Gallery of Science and Technology, Belgrade, Serbia
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Rectorate of the University of Belgrade, Serbia
— Google Maps

Background
At the beginning of the 21st century, faced with the challenges of climate change, depletion of resources, high environmental pollution, and hints at an uncertain future, we are questioning the various roles of architecture.
Whether technological development and the use of new concepts in design, the use of new materials in construction, the use of new tools in the creation of concepts can provide an answer, is the theme of the conference and exhibition “Challenges in Design”.
The new concept of architectural objects and the use of materials in the isolation of objects and the concept of facade envelope are an inspiration and a challenge in creation. Is art a part or is it against the concept of an architectural work – art vs architecture. Whether architecture and new media and the use of virtual and augmented reality can be tools in architectural design is the question of the position of architecture in the digital era – from parametric design to VR and AI, as tools in design. In addition to new buildings in the transformation of the city and the change in the structure of activities, there are many huge abandoned industrial buildings, which refers to the topic of reconstruction – reworking of the city and architecture – reworking of architecture and the city – reuse of abandoned buildings and places.
The conference will explore and discuss the complexity and different meanings of architecture. These topics will consider the essence of architecture through all its dimensions, always thinking of it as an art and a philosophical reflection on architecture.
The essence will be considered through different points, processes and trends that contribute to new aesthetics and functionality: globalization, new approaches to design, innovative technologies, projects and materials.
A special block of topics is focused on the challenges in architecture and urban design in terms of how we can reshape the future in creating sustainability after the pandemic and how we can reset the sustainable development goals for the challenges of the pandemic – from the perspective of research, policy or practice.
In the past year, many conference programs were focused on that topic, such as the New European Bauhaus initiative for green sustainable cities, or the COP 27 UN conference on climate change and impacts, many also implemented educational programs at universities, as well as charters and declarations in associations.
That is why it is particularly interesting how cities will be organized in future development, how to improve the quality of work and life, and how architecture can help through the organization of space, materialization. In particular, the further improvement of information technology, which have made an outstanding contribution, enabling the holding of study programs in the faculties, as well as the holding of conferences and meetings.
Topics
An interdisciplinary approach is essential in defining thematic blocks. Within these topics, it will be discussed how architecture and urban design provide the answer. Divided in 5 blocks as:
- Architecture – design challenges in macro and micro scale,
—Challenges in Architecture, Urban Design and Art
— Modeling the Future – modeling of the future architecture and design with implications for environment and society,
— Living architecture
— Urban Design Projects – small scale design thinking and town planning as an inspiration for integrative planning,
— Showcase Presentations – new idea or project realization in Architecture, Urban Design or Art.
- Technology and architecture
— Innovation in Art, Architecture, Science and Technology in Digital Era
—New concepts of the city, healthy environment / healthy cities Green city, decarbonized city; examples of application or critical attitude,
—Smart City: principles in architecture and urban design
- Reworking architecture / city,
— Reworking the City through New Architecture
— Creative space: architecture and interior design, smart space, green space, built world / street world
— Cultural Identity and Tradition vs globalized Design
- Art vs/or and/ architecture,
— Architecture and/or Art – inspiration for creating
— New media arts
— New Media Approach – New Materials and Design in Architecture
- New media and new tools in design.
—New media arts, computational design and architecture
—Virtual and augmented reality in art and architecture
—Innovation in information technologies / enhanced use and user experience
The substance will be discussed regarding various points, processes and trends that contribute to new aesthetic and functionalism: globalization, new approaches to design, innovative technologies, projects, and materials.
Call for contributions is addressed to researchers and professionals in the fields of architecture, interior design, town planning, history, technology, art, photography.
Key Dates
Conference
- Open Call – March 2023
- Abstract Submission (150 -200 words) – 1 June 2023
- Acceptance of Abstracts – 30 June 2023
- Registration – 30 June to 20 September 20223
- Book of Abstracts (digital publication) – July 2023
- Paper Submission (3500 – 4500 words) – 20 September 2023
- Detailed Program – September 2023
- Full Paper and Presentation Submission – 20 November 2023
- Conference – 7-8 December 2023
- Conference Proceedings (digital publication) – December 2023
Conference Proceedings (printed publication) will be offered for purchase if supported by sufficient demand.
Exhibition
- Open Call – March 2023
- Application Submission (70-100 words description including title and authors names and two .jpg illustrations up to 15 cm in width and 300 dpi resolution for publishing of the Exhibition Book – 1 June 2023
- Selection Outcome – 30 June 2023
- Registration – 30 June to 20 September 2023
- Poster Submission (dimensions 60 x 80 cm as .pdf or .jpg format in 200 dpi resolution for Jury Evaluation) – 20 September 2023
- Exhibition Book (digital publication) – November 2023
- Exhibition Book (printed publication) distribution at Award Ceremony – 5 December 2023

Scientific Board
Professor Branislav Mitrović, Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade, Serbia
Professor Rachel Armstrong, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, Newcastle University, United Kingdom and KU Leuven, Belgium
Professor Vladan Đokić, Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade, Serbia
Professor Branko Kolarević, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Jersey, USA
Professor Ružica Bogdanović, University of Belgrade, Serbia
Professor Aleksandra Stupar, Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade, Serbia
Professor Figen Beyhan, Faculty of Architecture, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
Professor Pavlos Lefas, Department of Architecture, University of Patras, Greece
Professor Anastasios Tellios, School of Architecture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Dr Ahmed Emam, Founder of ATO, Egypt
Dr Mitesh Dixit, Visiting Professor of Architecture Politecnico di Architecture DAD, Totino and the Founder of DOMAIN Office, Italy/USA
Dr Nora Lefa, Associate Professor, School of Fine Arts, University of Ioannina, Greece
Dr Venetia Tsakalidou, Associate Professor, School of Architecture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Dr Aleksa Bijelović, Senior Lecturer, School of Design and the Built Environment, Curtin University, Western Australia
Dr Tsaras Giannis-Nikos, Associate Professor, School of Architecture, Technical University of Crete, Greece
Dr Carmelo Zappulla, Faculty of Master in Advanced Architecture at IAAC, Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
Dr Anna Karagianni, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture, Technical University of Crete, Greece
Dr Renate Weissenböck, Graz University of Technology, Austria
Dr Denis Ambruš, Postdoctoral Researcher, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Rijeka, Croatia
Dr Christiane Wagner, Visiting Research Professor, Contemporary Art Museum, University of São Paulo (MAC USP), Germany/Brazil
Dr Nataša Danilović Hristić, Senior Research Associate, IAUS, Belgrade, Serbia
Dr Senka Ibrišimbegović, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Architecture, University of Sarajevo, Federation BH
Dr Marija Mano Velevska, Associate Professor, Faculty of Architecture, Skopje, N. Macedonia
Dr Mateja Kurir, Independent Researcher, Ljubljana, Slovenia
DRAFT PROGRAM
Tuesday, 5 December, from 6 pm – Opening and Award Ceremony |
Wednesday, 6 December, from 10 am to 2 pm – City Tour (Belgrade) |
Thursday, 7 December, from 10 am – Conference Presentations |
Friday, 8 December, from 10 am – Conference Presentations, Closing and Dinner |
Saturday, 9 December, from 10 am to 5 pm – Day Tour (Vojvodina) |
REGISTRATION Fees
EARLY Conference Registration (from 30 June to 30 July 2023)
— Author of 1 Paper (150 EUR)
— PhD Student Author of 1 Paper (100 EUR)
— Author of Conference Poster (100 EUR)
For each additional Paper of the same Author the fee is half priced.
REGULAR Conference Registration (from 31 July to 20 September 2023)
— Author of 1 Paper (200 EUR)
— PhD Student Author of 1 Paper (120 EUR)
— Author of conference poster (120 EUR)
For each additional Paper of the same Author the fee is half priced.
Activities
— City tour Belgrade between Ottomans and Austro-Hungarians (upon request from 30 EUR)
— Day tour Fruska Gora Monasteries and Sremski Karlovci (upon request from 60 EUR)
— Conference Dinner 25 EUR
Exhibition Registration (from 30 June to 20 September 2023)
— Registration fee is 50 EUR for 1 Poster
— Applicants can choose to exhibit their work on two or more Posters. For each additional Poster of the same work the fee is half priced.
Partners
Supporting Partner
Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Gallery of Science and Technology
University Partner
Rectorate of the University of Belgrade in Serbia
PEOPLE
Conference and Exhibition Concept
Professor Ružica Bogdanović, Serbia
ruzica.bogdanovic@strand.rs
International Coordination
Professor Aleksandra Stupar, Serbia
Associate professor Nora Lefa, Greece
Organization and Realization
STRAND – Sustainable Urban Society Association, Serbia
info@strand.rs