by Boriana KLLOGJERI
It has been a month since I visit Prishtina for my first time. I spend there only one day but I really liked the city. Every single time I was comparing it with Tirana and the greatest advantage of Prishtina is the “quality”. It is clear that Prishtina`s “outfit” is the industrial one, but if you look carefully on the city`s streets you can find some real architectural “gems” like coffee shops, restaurants and hotels.
The 2nd edition of the EUROPAN KOSOVA, a biennial competition asking architects for innovative housing solutions on Kosovan sites, is organizing an event presentation of the new competition for this year’s Europan Kosova 2012.
This event will be held at the Modelarium – FCAE Department of Architecture, University of Prishtina on the 15th of March 2013 at 18:00.
Pictures and video images of one of the competitors of the “Peja center competition”, published by X-Plan Studio on their Facebook page.
Archis Intervention in collaboration with University of Prishtina continues the series of public lectures and discussions. At this free event, being held at the Modelarium – Faculty of Architecture, University of Prishtina, Andres Lepik of Technical University Munich and Vedran Mimica of IIT College of Architecture, USA will give a forum talk on February 22, on “Perspectives of urban development“.
The Republic of Kosovo will soon be initiating investor consultations for exclusive development rights to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Brezovica Mountain Resort in the Sharr Mountain National Park in Shtërpcë/Strpce municipality of southern Kosovo.
According to some international sources, the Kosovan company MABETEX Group is set to build the new stadium of one of the most prestigious football clubs in the world, F.C. Internazionale Milano!
Currently under construction on the edge of the city of Prishtina, the ODA Residence, designed by local practice LSN architects&partners, is made up of six apartment blocks, lieng in an area of 14.000 m2, with about 220 flats.
…another new architects event, this time hitting the New Year’s scene. An exclusive party with Kosovan architects at the “Modelarium” of Prishtina University Faculty of Architecture, featuring live music and DJ performance by FISNIKET and DJ Gamble. The venue opens at 20:59 on Sunday evening, and we’d love to see you there!
Registration: December 28, 2012
Submission: March 8, 2013
Prizes: 1st Prize 25.000 € + Comission 2nd Prize 15.000 € 3rd Prize 10.000 €
Architectural international design competition for the Central Mosque of Prishtina. The ambition is to aim for building a landmark in the city of Prishtina and an architecture that stands the test of time. The Project aims to be a symbolic expression of Islamic identity and local tradition of the people of Kosovo and expression of the significance by holding the main role. The building should have a monumental mass and be warm, inviting and attractive at the same time, an open place for all the society.
Insipired by this years biennale`s theme, Common Ground, KOSOVA IN BIENNALE – YOUNG ARCHITECTS held a competition where 16 young architects were chosen to be part of a workshop held in Venice based on the essays they wrote on this topic. This full paid workshop took place between November 16th and November 22nd in both Arsenale and Giardini of La Biennale di Venezia. Coordinated by the Architects Association of Kosova, Ideal Vejsa of MadenGroup and Leart Mullaademi of ONUP, this workshop was followed with lectures from Ayhan Baymak, architect and professor at University of Prishtina, and Sezgin Boynik, sociolog and art ctitic in Finland.
The Venice Biennale for over a century has been one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the world. Ever since its foundation in 1895, it has been in the avant-garde, promoting new artistic trends and organizing international events in contemporary arts.
While the urban planning of capital of Kosovo is far from something to admire, young creative minds still believe in making beautiful things happen even in the middle of this mess. Such is the latest project from Pleurat Spahiu, Creative Leader at Ogilvy | Karrota, that brought a little bit of street art in the middle of Prishtina.
Kosovan architecture made its debut at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. This landlocked, new European country is now among 55 nations that have presence in the largest and most prestigious architectural event in the world. The country’s pavilion design, The Filigree Maker, of the curator Përparim Rama was chosen by the Kosovo`s Ministry of Culture as an opportunity to promote the heritage and potential of the Republic of Kosovo in architecture.
Buying our own products directly affects the economic development of our state, increasing the number of jobs and improving the social well-being. Therefore to support the local producers and encourage consumption of local products, the organizers of Shpija e Kosoves Reality Show (the Kosovan version of Big Brother Show) hired the local architecture practice MADEN Group to design the Prishtina’s Glass Box, where three people would live in for a week consuming only local products.
Illegal Architecture, an experimental architecture network together with ONUP, organized yesterday a public lecture with Prof. Jim Stevens, lecturer at Lawrence Technological University, focusing on the digital fabrication technology and advanced parametric modeling software.
The illegal architecture an experimental architecture network together with ONUP™ have invited prof.Jim Stevens, lecturer at Lawrence Technological University who focuses his teaching and research in the area of digital fabrication technology and advance parametric modelling software, to give a lecture on his experience with emerging technologies where students could fully engage in design, fabrication and assembly of architecture.
Kosovan architecture office Pacarizi Architects has sent us their proposal of their new project Mother Theresa Museum in Prizren. More images and a quick architects description after the break.
Prizren will have the first and probably the smallest museum in after war Kosova. In front of the Prizren Catholic cathedral, just across the street Gezim Paçarizi architect is building (2009-2012) a small museum.
Seventh Edition of International Furniture trade fair Pristine, June 14 – 18, 2012.
AWPK for the seventh time brings in Kosovo the specialized fair of wood processors ,offering contacting ,presenting and business opportunities for home and foreign companies, mainly from Kosovo ,Macedonia, Germany, Albania, Italy etc. This fair present ideas and realizations of modern and classic furniture for:
Join us for the Open Lecture of Winy Maas of MVRDV, organized by “The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport” and “Re:think Space” at the American University in Kosova – Auditorium on Tuesday, 21st February starting from 18.00h.
As one of the largest local construction companies, Tregtia proposes on building a high-rising quarter located in Lakrishte, in the high-rises district of central Prishtina.
The project programmatically comprises of a commercial high-rise tower of 17 storeys and by six residential towers of 10 storeys, connected by a continuous landscape garden that accommodates the adjunct commercial facilities.
After a broad study conducted by one of the largest companies known worldwide for developing and optimizing ski areas – Ecosign Europa, it seems that Brezovica is going to be receiving a new skiing winter center, close to the existing but old skiing areas.
According to news released by GazetaJNK.com, the master plan for the skiing center, that will be five times bigger than the center in Mavrovo, Macedonia, is going to be announced on 6’th February, where the audience will get to know more detailed information about the new center.
The first assembly of the Association of Planners of Kosova was held a few weeks ago on December 21st 2011, at the conference center of Sirius Hotel, in Prishtina. Beside members of the Planners Asocciation the assembly was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning of Kosova, and representatives from the University of Prishtina, Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering.
Puka Design architecture practice has completed a new accommodation and conference center located in the center of Prishtina, the Hotel Sirius as one of the latest hotels to join the growing competition in the developing market of catering in Kosovo.
An “I” shaped section, evaluated in the front side and connected with square shape inspirations on site plan, elevation and façade, Hotel Sirius extends itself as a luxury hotel with 8 floors of different sized rooms and a fancy restaurant on the top floor, with a nice view towards Prishtina.
NIC Resort is an investment project for the construction of a complex containing a mid-sized hotel and villas in the picturesque mountain village located 1.5 km from the famous ski slopes of Brezovica, a ski resort at 2,500 meters above sea level.
Prishtina’s citizens today seek for new lively gathering places where they could experience their neighboorhoods, where different cultures mix. Therefore squares are really important to city’s social and especially economical future. As an urban renewal project, the municipality of Prishtina initiated the competition of remodeling the most central and relevant public space in Prishtina, the Zahir Pajaziti Square.
A public campaign designed by Archis Interventions/Prishtina will accompany the process of legalization. Public presentations and a media campaign will broach the issues regarding the most important principles (security, infrastructural connections, social aspects) by raising public awareness. The concept has been developed by Archis Interventions (Visar Geci, Florina Jerliu and Kai Vöckler).
Designed by Infinit Architects, located at the entrance of Prishtina, Emerald Hotel is a linkage between the city of Prishtina and the industrial-business areas developing around it. The 7.700 square meters hotel started in 2009, and was completed in 2011.
Just recently, a young team supported by the Uniceff Innovations Lab Kosovo, achieved to set up a new web page called www.prishtinabuses.info, which offers online information about the public bus transportation in Prishtina.
In recognition of his contributions to Kosovarian Architecture, Andrija Mutnjakovic known by Kosovar people as the “father” of the National Library in Prishtina, was recently invited by the Academy of Science and Arts of Kosova to give a lecture entitled “My architectural works in Kosova”.
“Ibrahim Rugova” square in Prishtina has finally gotten the green light, because the municipality has chosen “Allzone & ABC” consortium, as contractors of the project that will cost around 4 Million Euros.
Both companies “Allzone” and “ABC” have previous experience in road construction and the Municipality of Prishtina has considered them as successful and has trusted them the project. Mabetex was also part of the competition, but they were considered too expensive.
Horizons Group has just recently released their final design for a new residential and commercial area in Prishtina.
The new construction site, which in the past was compromised by old houses with oriental architecture, will be housing a new Commercial & Administrative building that is considered the first stage of the “Dodona Project”, also part of the Municipalities Program for further urban development of Prishtina.
Started in 2006, ENK Complex represents a historical urban moment for the further development of the capital of Kosovo, Prishtina.
ENK Complex that is still under construction and it is planed to offer offices, luxury apartments and a hotel with 5 stars, has just recently suffered from landslide at the working site, where nobody has been injured and the project it’s self isn’t halted.
As the Prishtina’s dense population expands enormously, there is a need to evaluate how the ground can be used more efficiently to satisfy the demands of a growing city like Prishtina. The main idea of this project proposal by GG Group is to create more compact and dense living spaces to avoid the spreading.
ONTEXI Complex is a residential building by Ontexi Construction in Prishtina, which is formed by nine storeys of approximately 1000 sqm, situated on the heart of Sunny Hill neighborhood.
The international development organization CHF Kosovo organized an interesting design competition for a “Green School” in Prishtina. The winning entry of this pilot school, was presented by Urban Plus. An remarkable example for ecological, social and economical sustainability.
Seen at nikomahe.com. More about the project after the break.
A new housing complex is being built in Preoc, a village near Prishtina. Named Marigona Residence, the complex will provide 150 individual houses, about 1000 apartments and it also includes some other facilities like recreational parks, a primary school, a hotel, a shopping center and a hospital.
On 25th of Februarary 2010, the NAi (Netherlands Architecture...
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SKYPE LECTURE Prishtina Connection by bad architects group, live...
SKYPE LECTURE Prishtina Co...
aut. architetur und tirol as one of Austria’s most important architecture exhibition spaces, invited bad architects group to organize “Prishtina-Connection” exhibition about the topic of “identification”, which will be held in Innsbruck Austria and it will be on display starting from March 18.
Built in 2008 in a small valley near Suhareka, Buqalla Pools and Hotel is absolutely an impressive building, with pools surrounded by a breathtaking landscape. Designed by Gezim Pacarizi, this project is an award winner of World Architecture Awards – 4th cycle. Project description by Arhitectura Magazine after the break.
During 2009, Maden Group a local practice of young architects and engineers published their first catalog, A Home for You. The catalog includes a wide selection of house projects, ranging from smaller ecological houses, to XL houses, which go in parallel with a series of writings from different fields as architecture, urbanism, interior design, and engineering.
Prishtina Stars is a new residential building designed by Konak Construction Inc., which will be located near Prishtina’s central bus station in Kalabria neighborhood. The design includes a complex made of 3 housing units.
Dear readers, we are back again with new photos of the current constructions going on in Prishtina. Yes October, time of falling leaves is here with some new buildings and some already finished buildings. Images after the break.
A few weeks ago we received the latest issue of A10 Magazine (#29 sep/oct). Featuring this time an update of Architecture in Kosova. Which includes a very good set of projects done by Kosovan Architects, and also it includes an article about architecture in Kosova written by Lulzim Kabashi, partner at Ivanisin & Kabashi Architects.
The 25.400 square meter Euro Center Complex is a project design by Shehu Architects, located adjacent to the old part of the city of Prizren. The complex aims to create different infrastructures as car parking, shopping center, administrative offices and residential apartments.
Municipality of Prishtina has initiated a sensitive urban re-newel project. Prishtina will soon have the first pedestrian underpass in the city. A project designed by a local architecture and urbanization practice SMART Project.
Sharon Davis Design Studio in collaboration with a local practice Hidroterm, designed a three-story facility destined as women’s opportunity center, financed by WFWI Organization. More about the project after the break.