BASTION
CONCEPT
Primary
Bastion is designed not only as a piece of urban furniture, but as a tool for experiencing the city differently. It transforms history into an adventure, architecture into a game, and Novi Pazar into a space for discovery. The design of the modules was inspired by traditional architecture, especially the forms of old hans and fortress towers. The octagonal geometry creates a connection with historical structures, while the modular system allows the elements to be lightweight, adaptable, easy to assemble, repair, and relocate. The construction combines metal pipes, wooden panels, and locally produced fabric. The visual identity connects contemporary design with local heritage. Traditional ornaments decorate the exterior surfaces, while the interior tells stories related to the specific location, inspired by the visual language of Novi Pazar.
Secondary
A digital layer was added through a mobile application connected to each checkpoint. After scanning a QR code, users receive tasks that guide them to discover architectural details, historical monuments, and hidden traces of the past. The application creates an interactive exploration without relying on traditional maps, using a built-in compass to guide users between locations. A non-digital version of the experience is also possible through physical tasks placed on the modules. The project also introduces a natural element into the city through freely growing greenery around the structures. Rainwater collected from the roofs is reused for watering the plants, creating a sustainable connection between architecture and nature.
TEAM
Make the world a safe, accessible and comfortable place.
My name is Anna Kudrjavceva. I am currently a third-year student at the Beogradska Politechnika pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Industrial design. In addition, I have been learning and practicing 3D animation and visualization for over five years. I have participated in annual student exhibitions in Belgrade, as well as in an exhibition dedicated to industrial design at the ULUS Gallery in 2024. I am interested in both following new trends and directions in design and exploring its history in greater depth. I draw inspiration from everyday life and natural forms, creating my designs through experimentation with shape and materials. sound, and sensing devices, he composes polyphonic narratives that render infrastructural operations perceptible without flattening them into metaphor.
PROCESS
Inspiration
The Bastion project was developed from the idea of combining two motives that were given to us at the beginning of the Mikser festival residency: creating urban resting spaces and developing a playful way for children and visitors to explore the city of Novi Pazar, its history, and cultural heritage. During the research phase and guided tour on the first day, we were inspired by the city’s tradition and small details that are often overlooked in everyday life. We recognized the potential of these hidden elements and wanted to create a project that would encourage people to slow down, observe, and discover the layers of the city around them.
Exploration
The main concept evolved into a treasure hunt experience where the city itself becomes a playground. Instead of presenting history in a traditional way, the project transforms learning into an interactive journey. Users explore different locations, complete tasks, and discover historical elements while moving through the urban landscape.
Architecture
We figured out that to support this idea, we designed six urban oasis modules placed near important historical locations within the city. These modules function both as resting points and checkpoints within the game. It was also necessary to find a way to make various routes that offered a different experience, with unique tasks and discoveries, encouraging repeated exploration of the city.
Motivation
The development of the mobile application came as the final step in the design process, with the goal of creating additional motivation for children to explore the city. We recognized that collecting, completing tasks, and receiving rewards are important elements that encourage engagement, especially for younger users. Therefore, the app was designed as a playful tool that transforms learning about Novi Pazar’s history into an interactive adventure.
EXPERIENCE
Mikser Residency within the NextGen Design programme helped me personally discover a new experience of a town with different culture within the country I live in. Also, it gave me the opportunity to connect and exchange ideas with people from different parts of the world who share similar ways of thinking, but come from different cultural and personal backgrounds. Through these conversations and collaborations, I was able to understand different approaches to the same challenges, both in the field of design and in everyday life, and to broaden my perspective on how we perceive, create, and interact with the world around us.
Dusan Jevtic
Participating in NextGen Design allowed me to break out of my routine, visit new places, and connect with people from different countries. The challenges of the residency program allowed me to test my abilities, identify my strengths and weaknesses, explore new approaches to problem-solving, and recognize the importance of community and sustainable design.
Anna Kudrjavceva