ODGOVOR ARHITEKATA JUGOSLAVIJE NA ZDRAVSTVENE IZAZOVE I KRIZE 1918−1941
THE RESPONSE OF YUGOSLAV ARCHITECTS ON THE HEALTH CHALLENGES AND CRISIS 1918-1941

Summary/Abstract: The interwar period in Yugoslavia was marked by the economy and health crisis, which had significant influence on the quality of life and social development. Yugoslav architects were not immune to this situation, and many of them turned towards ideas that were presented by European Modernists. Some of them even participated in international congresses dedicated to the different social aspects of contemporary architecture. Many were engaged in social and medical aspects of architecture through theoretical and practical work. They wrote about the necessity of taking responsibility and designing architecture that would improve social situation and this did not apply only on hospitals and medical centres, but also on housing and school architecture. After the First World War Yugoslav cities were severely lacking modern medical and health infrastructure but also quality housing and schools. In this effort Modern architecture proved to be a good choice with its functional design. In 1926 The School of national health was founded in Zagreb, where many architects specialized in designing hospitals and medical centres. Artistic group “Zemlja” (Land) was also engaged in social change through art and architecture with Drago Ibler in charge of the architectural section. During the interwar period a significant number of competitions was held for hospital design. Two of the most significant were for the Foundation and Jewish Hospital in Zagreb in 1930 and 1931. Apart from hospitals, Centres for workers’ insurance played an important role in improving the health of the working class. This was also the period of first kindergartens and modern standardized schools. Certain experiments regarding open space schools in the nature were also realized. The state invested in new buildings, especially for treating tuberculosis, but was lacking in initiative for building public housing. Since there were not enough affordable apartments that would meet the hygienic standards, the poor often lived in illegal unhygienic slums. However, the new contemporary hospital buildings managed to improve the health condition of Yugoslav citizens. The role of architects in this effort to end the health crisis is significant and many of them continued their mission after the Second World War under a new political system.

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