Theories of leisure: Imagining the future of free time through the case of Mataruška Banja

The paper explores the notion of leisure as an instrument that reflects social circumstances and shapes architectural conceptions. It traces the genesis and transformations of leisure across socio-historical contexts to examine its manifestation in architecture - from the ancient scholē, through industrial work hours and socialist vacation models, to the contemporary information society and post-work scenarios. The first phase of the research consists of an interpretative-historical and theoretical analysis of architectural theory sources to understand how leisure was defined and redefined in each period. The second phase adopts a design-based research approach through a case study of the "Žiča" hotel project by architect Milan Zloković, a paradigmatic example of early Yugoslav modernism. Original drawings and relevant secondary sources are analysed to examine how leisure was materialised through architectural programme and modernist language, revealing underlying social assumptions. Using visual collage as an interpretive tool, conceptual connections between historical layers of meaning are established, enabling a Research through Design phase that proposes a future vision of leisure. The aim is to demonstrate architecture as a medium for anticipating new futures of leisure.