Irena Milovic

Time Cycling is a comprehensive exploration of the intersections between architecture, media, and community influences in the context of systematic change. The objective of this degree project is to investigate the role of architecture in education, community activation, and in disrupting established cycles by creating spaces for dialogue.

Through the concept of slow design, particularly the principle of compressed refuse, the project aims to explore the potential of using temporary structures to store artificial waste. This process, referred to as Time Cycling, involves abstracting materials from regular cycles, utilising them as building materials for a limited time, and then reintegrating them into the recycling process, thus extending their lifespan and avoiding landfill.

Additionally, the project’s title symbolically relates to the flow of information, highlighting the loop of cultural alienation, censorship, and aggression inherent in media manipulation and political repression, particularly concerning my home country of Serbia. The construction of a pavilion using newspapers serves both as a practical demonstration of sustainable construction techniques and also as a symbolic representation of democratic values. By engaging the public in the building process, the project seeks to foster a sense of response-ability, encourage localised action, facilitate informal discussions, and promote knowledge-sharing within the community.