News 04 Dec 12

In Pictures: Domes Rise Over Macedonian Parliament

Macedonia's parliament is about to get a radically new look, as a giant central dome and two smaller domes go up on top of the building.

Sinisa Jakov Marusic

BIRN

Skopje

Photo by: MIA

The central glass-covered dome has a diameter of 32 metres and is ten metres high.

The two smaller domes on top of the left and right front of the pentagonal-shaped building are already finished while the construction of the central cupola is nearing completion.

“The large cupola is made out of two kinds of glass. In the lower zone we have a darker glass and in the upper zone the glass is brighter. Their conjunction at three places forms the letter ‘M’,” the architect in charge of the revamp of the building, Biljana Ivanovska, told MIA news agency.

By the end of spring 2013, the first of the two smalerl domes will be put into use, Ivanovska explained.

The three domes are part of a complete makeover of the building that dates back to the early 20th century. The cost of the project is estimated at over 12 million euro.

The revamp envisages strengthening the foundations, altering the interior and facade and constructing an entire additional floor to give more space for the lawmakers.

On completion, parliament will have an additional 3,900 square metres of office space, as well as a modern recreational facility.

“Works go according to plan and the overhaul is some 70 per cent finished,” Ivanovska said.

Photo by: MIA

The reconstruction started in April and is expected to finish by November 2013.

Architects are proud of the fact that throughout the reconstruction the parliament will remain open.

The revamp is part of a grand government-sponsored makover of the capital called "Skopje 2014".

Drawing inspiration from Classical Antiquity, and intended to give the neglected capital a more monumental appearance, the project envisages the construction of numerous tall bronze and marble monuments and some 20 buildings.