The architectural studio ARHINGinženjering from Podgorica has been awarded the Ranko Radović Award for 2025 in the category of realized architectural works. This honor recognizes their project, the Hadrovica Mosque, situated in Podgorica (Drac), which was completed in 2024. The decision was made by a panel of experts who acknowledged the architectural value, contextual sensitivity, and modern expression of this sacred structure.
The project team comprised Rifat Alihodžić as the responsible individual, alongside colleagues Jasmina Salković, Elvira Muzurović, and Branko Rabrenović. The jury included prominent figures such as Professor Dr. Grozdana Šišović, Professor Mr. Zoran Abadić, and Professor Dr. Đorđe Alfirević.
Celebration of Architectural Excellence
The formal award ceremony for the Ranko Radović Award and the opening of the exhibition featuring competition participants will take place on December 22, 2024, at 12:00 in the Ilija M. Kolarac Foundation located in Studentski trg, Belgrade. This event is expected to attract numerous architects, theorists, researchers, and cultural representatives, highlighting the international visibility of projects recognized for their significant contributions to contemporary architecture.
In addition to the award granted to ARHINGinženjering, the jury also announced recipients in other categories based on the submitted competition materials. In the category of critical-theoretical texts on architecture, urbanism, and cities, the Ranko Radović Award was unanimously awarded to Milan Prosen, an extraordinary professor and art historian, for the monograph titled “Palata Srpske akademije nauka i umetnosti” published by the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts in 2024. The jury for this category was led by Dr. Dijana Milašinović-Marić, along with members Professor Dr. Ana Nikezić and Dr. Sanja Simonović-Alfirević.
In the category of television programs, exhibitions, or multimedia presentations, the jury awarded the Ranko Radović Award to the team behind the project “Rasplitanje: Novi prostori”. This project was realized as part of the Pavilion of the Republic of Serbia at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition in Venice, which ran from May 10 to November 23, 2025. The winners include Davor Eres, Jelena Mitrović, Igor Pantić, Professor Sonja Krstić, Professor Ivana Najdanović, both fashion designers, and Petar Lausavić, a research associate. The jury for this category was composed of Professor Dr. Aleksandra Pešterac, Doc. Dr. Vladimir Kovač, and Doc. Dr. Ivan Šuletić.
Historical Significance of Hadrovica Mosque
The Hadrovica Mosque is located at the intersection of four streets in the geographic center of the Drac neighborhood, a fitting location for a sacred structure. Architect Rifat Alihodžić previously explained that a mosque existed on the same site until it was demolished in 1956 during a wave of ideological suppression by the communist authorities against religion. This demolition resulted in the loss of several religious buildings in Podgorica and Montenegro.
The systematic destruction included excavating much of the foundation and all related documentation, including photographs. According to Alihodžić, only one photograph remains, depicting a single facade. This history made it impossible to reconstruct the mosque based on original designs. Consequently, an urban planning initiative adopted in the early 21st century called for the construction of a new mosque at the original location.
The Ranko Radović Award stands as one of the most significant recognitions in the fields of architecture, urbanism, and architectural theory in the region. This year’s awardees reflect the breadth and relevance of contemporary architectural production, from completed structures to theoretical work and innovative exhibition and multimedia forms. The award ceremony and the accompanying exhibition will underscore the impact of these projects, recognizing them as vital contributions to modern architecture.
