Photos

Modernism..
a rejection of historical styles as a source of architectural form (historicism)
an adoption of the principle that the materials and functional requirements determine the result
an adoption of the machine aesthetic
a rejection of ornament
a simplification of form and elimination of "unnecessary detail"
an adoption of expressed structure
Form follows function

When Modern architecture was first practiced, it was an avant-garde movement with moral, philosophical, and aesthetic underpinnings. Immediately after World War I, pioneering modernist architects sought to develop a completely new style appropriate for a new post-war social and economic order, focused on meeting the needs of the middle and working classes. They rejected the architectural practice of the academic refinement of historical styles which served the rapidly declining aristocratic order. (Wikipedian wisdom)

This is the first photo in a serial that I'm going to post on TrekEarth, and it's about buildings in Nis, erected in the golden era of modernism, 1920ties and 1930ties. Being by far favorite style for me, I guess it's going to be great fun going around the city and putting these photos online, with some details about each to follow.

Here we have hotel Park, built in 1936, put under protection as a cultural monument in 1986. When it was built, it was the first and the only truly modern hotel in the city, having 100 beds, garages, restaurant with summer garden, interior and open-air cinema, as well as the first restaurant in the city having international cuisine menus. Architect followed all the concepts of modernism, except the oval part of the building not being placed at the corner of two streets like it was usual, but actually within hotel's yard, near the main portal. Location of hotel Park was, and still is superb, as most of the rooms, and main entrance are placed towards central city square of King Milan, distanced only hundred of meters or so. Hotel Park is now doesn't seem to enjoy its best days, being closed for guests as its rooms are given to displaced refugees from Yugoslav civil wars of 1990ties. Its restaurant is the only part working. Facade needs urgent restauration works, as probably interior. However, hotel Park is still one of the most successive example of modernism in Nis.