A recent nominee for the 2025 Golden Trezzini Awards is the JQYY studio project for transforming an abandoned youth retreat in North Macedonia into a yacht club. Today, we highlight the creator of the original building (1954), architect Boris Čipan.
«Old cities are under threat today. The housing stock is outdated, but the forces of architecture cannot keep pace with economic development. We face a dilemma: either lose valuable architectural heritage or preserve it as a museum exhibit.» (Boris Čipan, «Expressive Means of Modern Architecture in Cities with Historical Heritage», 1970).
Boris Čipan (1918–2012) was a pivotal figure in Macedonian architecture of the 20th century. A talented designer, educator, theorist, and restorer, he played a crucial role in urban development, the preservation of historical landmarks, and the formation of a national architectural style.
Born in Ohrid, Čipan pursued his education in Belgrade. Initially planning a military career, he changed his path after discovering a passion for architecture and transferred to the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Belgrade. During his studies, he demonstrated exceptional skills in watercolor painting and drafting, researched traditional Macedonian architecture, and illustrated books for his professors.
After graduating in 1941, Čipan returned to Ohrid, working in municipal and state organizations. Following World War II, he actively participated in the reconstruction of destroyed settlements, urban planning, and architectural design. In 1949, he became the first director of the Institute for the Protection of Monuments in Ohrid. Later, he taught in Skopje, shaping generations of Macedonian architects.
From 1960 onward, Čipan led the Union of Architects of Macedonia, organizing professional conferences and promoting architectural education. Between 1969 and 1971, he served as Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering in Skopje.
Among Čipan’s most significant projects are:
- The Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts (MANU) – his flagship work, recognized with the prestigious Yugoslav Borba Award;
- Courthouses in Štip, Veles, and Bitola;
- Restoration of historical landmarks – the Church of St. Sophia in Ohrid, the Monastery of St. Panteleimon in Nerezi, the ancient city of Stobi, and other heritage sites.
Čipan was also an active researcher, publishing several books on Macedonian architecture, including Old Urban Architecture of Ohrid, 111 Theses on Architecture, and Macedonian Cities of the 19th Century. His work explored the challenges of preserving historical settlements and balancing tradition with modern trends.
Over his career, Boris Čipan received numerous accolades, including the October 11 Award, the November 7 Award, and the Union of Architects of Macedonia Award. He developed a unique approach that blended respect for tradition with innovative architectural solutions.
His vision for cultural heritage preservation remains relevant today, and his projects continue to shape the cities of Macedonia.
At the beginning of this article, we quoted Boris Čipan, who warned back in 1970 that old cities would face a choice—either the loss of their architectural heritage or its transformation into a museum exhibit. The historical paradox is that the participants of a competition dedicated to a building designed by Čipan himself, now recognized as a monument of modernist architecture, have found a third way: renovation with adaptation for contemporary use. One wonders what the architect himself would have thought of this.
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