Ping – Repository of the Future

The 56th Zagreb Salon of Architecture and Urbanism, as articulated byselectors Lea Pelivan and Toma Plejić, presents a forward-lookingexploration of architecture, showcasing a spectrum of projects rangingfrom the unrealized and speculative to the tangible and grounded.Described as a "repository of the future," the Salon navigates throughvarious scales and concepts, from Luciano Laurana’s Ideal City tocontemporary visions, embodying the diversity and potential ofarchitectural thought and practice.This edition of the Salon, titled Ping – The Repository of the Future,responds to the aftermath of Zagreb's earthquake and the global state ofuncertainty, positioning architecture as a dialogue for envisioning abetter future. It leverages the latent potentials of unrealized projects,bridging the gap between ideation and realization, and inviting over 600submissions that reflect on the tangible and intangible aspects ofarchitectural and urban planning.The Salon's theme resonates with the broader context of today's society,which grapples with challenges such as depression, aggression, and alack of collective ideals. In this light, the exhibition becomes a crucialplatform for reimagining future possibilities through the lens ofarchitecture, unbound by the constraints of current realities.Culminating in a comprehensive publication, the Salon extends itsdialogue through a book that encapsulates the breadth of designs andideas showcased. This volume, crafted by Pelivan, Plejić, and designerand coeditor Damir Gamulin, stands as a testament to the intricaterelationship between architecture and its multifaceted communicativeroles, from function and materiality to its interaction with the individualand the collective psyche. It underscores the enduring relevance ofarchitectural exploration, captured both in the ephemeral nature of anexhibition and the permanence of the printed page.The book Ping – The Future Is Now documents all the selected projectsof the salon and all the accompanying activities and projects thatfollowed. It includes 13 texts on the theory and history of architecture, anoverview of the contents of the Museum of Architecture in Zagreb andthe Atlas of Croatian Architecture, problem interviews, and somethinglike a manifesto of rules for architectural education.