The design for the Museum of Modern and Contemporary art in Rijeka was made towards the end of 2001 as a competition project for an architectural solution for a new use for the T-building of the Rikard Benčić industrial complex. This historic complex for the production of Virginia cigars was built in 1867, along the present Viktor Car Emin Street. 

The basic approach stems from our understanding of the role of the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Besides having a basic museological program, the museum records and organizes events and consequently also acts as an active participant in them. The catalytic character of the institution vis-à-vis the happenings in the city gives this building a significant urban content. Therefore we considered it necessary to retain the neutrality of the building itself due to its active relationship towards contemporary events. This applies to the organization of space inside the building and also to the presence of the building in the urban tissue.