THE NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE BUILDING

In the extensive opus of the Niš architect of Russian descent, Aleksandar Medvedev, this is his second most important office building in Niš, built in 1936 on the corner of Balkanska Street and Kola srpskih sestara Quay. The building was constructed for the needs of the National Employment Service Niš branch, as a facility where future craftsmen were educated.

It was designed in the style of the late Moderne, with an interesting manner of corner accentuation, built as a contrast to the convex entry part and the setback volume of the stories, with a central vertical line of staircase windows.

The semi-circular frieze above the entrance, with male and female figures set in relief is a detail which is not common in the work of this architect, who usually organized decorations based on geometric forms.

The building changed its appearance due to interventions on the façade, the addition of floors and a reduction of window openings. It also changed its function on several occasions. Nowadays, it is an administrative building used by the Telekom Serbia company (a phone company). The main entrance is now disused, so the auxiliary entrance is used.