The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences building (originally the Faculty of Philosophy and Natural Sciences building) was designed by the Slovenian architect Edvard Ravnikar. At the time of the design, the new master plan for Skopje (by the Czech architect and urban planner Luděk Kubeš in 1948) was in its final stage. The building site was decided in relation to the plan that envisioned concentration of university buildings and creation of a new Science Centre on the slopes of Gazi Baba hill. The location derived from the idea for the symbolic role of education in the future modernization and development od the city of Skopje, as well as of the importance of the science and knowledge for the development of the future socialist society. The complex was designed to include buildings of various university and scientific institutes, planned as freestanding buildings immersed in vast open green area. The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences was the first to be built, so it was not a coincidence that it occupied a prominent spot. In the years that followed, numerous faculty buildings were erected in the vicinity, but more meaningful connection between them was never established.The design of the building was finished in 1949, while the construction has been completed by the end of 1951. In its spatial composition it is an elongated, symmetrical, rectangular volume, with rather classical expression and monumentality. In the middle of the northeast side of the building the entrance porch is located, further emphasized by the spacious terrace on the first floor; on the opposite side the continuous façade rhythm is interrupted by the volume of the auditoriums (two large auditoriums on the ground and first floor integrated in a single volume) strongly protruding from the main rectangular body of the building. In line with the prevailing functionalist paradigm, the building provided a clear functional response to the given programmatic requirements. Symmetrically to the central entrance, two wings with offices and laboratories are organized along a naturally lit central corridor, a functional scheme that develops through three levels above ground and two underground levels. The symmetrical and monumental appearance of the building is further underlined by the rational repetition of the openings and the vertical ribs (brise soleils) that continuously extend along the ground and the two upper floors, reinforcing the sense of discipline and consistency of the overall expression.