dc.description.abstract | The name and the achievements of Aleksandar Deroko shine
brightly in the constellation of Serbian architectural history.
Deroko actively contributed to the Serbian twentieth century
architecture as a distinguished professor at the University of
Belgrade, a prolific author, esteemed scholar, designer, and a
highly driven heritage enthusiast. However, though recognised
by his contemporaries and successors alike, Deroko’s design
activity has not yet been thoroughly examined.
Exploring residential buildings designed for Deroko’s Belgrade
clientele, this paper widens the knowledge of his architectural
production. Deroko’s well-known passion for architectural
history and extensive research of the Serbian vernacular
buildings serve as a starting point for the study of his residential
structures in Belgrade. Was Deroko’s design process influenced
by his deep appreciation for architectural past, and by the results
of his findings? Or has he only adopted the formal characteristics
of historic styles and vernacular architecture in his work? If so,
to what extent? Discussing five structures built in the interwar
period – house of Colonel Elezović, the Rakić villa, the Simić
villa, the Marinković villa, the Stakić villa and the architect’s
personal villa – the paper traces transformation of Deroko’s
architectural inspiration, from typical academic historicist
eclecticism to vernacular construction. | sr |