Nemanja Culic
student
University of Belgrade, Faculty of Architecture, Belgrade, Serbia
Serbia
Architecture
The envisioned project is an avant-garde research center elegantly nested within the picturesque landscape of the Ovcar Kablar Gorge, Serbia. This… more
Tamer ElSerafi
advisor
Cairo University, Faculty of Engineering Architecture Department.
Egypt
Dr. Tamer ElSerafi is the Head of the Architecture Department and Director of the Master of Science… more
This project presents a visionary and technically sophisticated architectural statement that merges computational design, environmental responsibility, and structural innovation. Situated in the Ovčar-Kablar Gorge of Serbia, the QuantumQuarry serves not only as a research facility for sustainable battery technologies but also as an architectural protest against harmful lithium extraction in the region. It is both an infrastructural intervention and a spatial manifesto for ecological stewardship.
Architecturally, the project exhibits remarkable coherence between form, function, and ideology. The modular composition—400 distinct blocks generated via computational design and assembled within a steel frame—demonstrates mastery of digital methodologies (WASP in Grasshopper 3D) while maintaining constructibility through prefabrication. The decision to elevate the structure by 10 meters above ground level responds intelligently to the flood-prone landscape, reinforcing environmental resilience.
The interplay between algorithmically generated forms for the research center and the manually designed hostel below reflects a compelling dialogue between innovation and tradition. Integrated sustainability features—rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse, high-performance glazing, and energy-efficient HVAC systems—position the project as a forward-looking benchmark for green infrastructure.
Overall, this is a rigorously developed, aesthetically rich, and environmentally responsible architectural proposal that stands as a powerful argument for design as a vehicle of technological and ecological transformation.