The S.O.S Project / Save Our Slava

This project explores the research of Serbia’s cultural and traditional history, focusing on elaborating the preparation narrative of the ancient Serbian celebration, 'Krsna Slava'. Krsna Slava, more commonly referred to as 'Slava', is an annual Serbian Orthodox Christian celebration. Each household commemorates their patron saint by ritualistically preparing special food and wine; consecration, and celebrations in the home. 

Serbian culture, and the Serbian written language, are a continuous condition with varied uptake of interest in the church traditions. The design project clarifies the importance of the Serbian written language, Serbian Cyrillic, with respect to a new architectural typology which would accommodate the manifestation of the Krsna Slava preparation narrative. The material reification of the letterforms throughout the project reinforces their value and meaning as well as their link to the preservation of Krsna Slava. The overall goal of preserving this culturally specific script as a working language in this instance, associates the preservation of Slava’s preparation narrative and its religious connotation basis. It does this by means of architectural form, space and materiality, which distinguishes itself from the impact of the growing Westernisation of Serbia. 

The central creative output of this research was to preserve a time-honoured tradition in which script and action are key. This work embodies Serbian culture and tradition alongside site specific history, recognised Serbian values, and Serbian mentality. As a collection of buildings, the design project promotes a sustained set of buildings, not only through literal relation to food, but also with a space focused on a safe community environment.