Kosova Pavilion at 14′ Venice Biennale

After a very characteristic exhibit on the 13’ Architecture Biennale in Venice, Kosova’s Pavilion was entitled as one of the most photographed pavilion among the national pavilions. Now returning for the second time to the 2014 Venice Architecture Biennale, local architect Gezim Pacarizi has been chosen to curate this year’s Pavilion.

Pacarizi responds to Rem Koolhas theme with the project “Visibility (Imposed Modernism)”, unveiling a circular tower built by traditional chairs, reflecting on the cultural qualities and socio-economic challenges of our country, specifically the old city of Prizren.

The full brief and more information by the author, after the break…

Kosova at the 14th Venice Biennale

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports of Kosova has announced that Kosova once again will be part of the Venice Architecture Biennale. Responding to this year’s director Rem Koolhaas’ theme, titled “Fundamentals”, Minister Krasniqi has appointed an Advisory Board, which will propose 3 to 5 potential candidates for curating this edition’s Pavilion of Kosova.

Model School by Urban Plus

Prishtina capital is starting to flow and projects keep up going, with once again Urban Plus on the spotlight. Bringing a big focus on reusable and adaptable structures with the Green School project, Urban Plus is yet again laying their ambition of creating a school that raises the level of educational facilities in Kosova, providing a beautiful environment for the cultivation of culture, knowledge, art and ethics.

EUROPAN 12 GJILAN RESULTS!

EUROPAN KOSOVA has just published the results for Europan 12 Competition, taking site in Gjilan. Out of 35 projects submitted by young architects that we’re in the look of a more innovative result of urban solutions, with the theme “The Adaptable City”.

The jury of international architects has unanimously announced their verdict of no first prize winner, announcing the runner up entry with code XX634 and a special mention to the entry with code AH655.

Green Habitat by Maden Group

Another project commended by the young architects at Maden Group, reflecting the idea of creating a high standard residential and recreational building with a green character, providing thus qualitative and innovative values to the urban life.

As a whole, the building is 2B+P+12 and includes 21,820 square meters, shaped through sustainable development and modern projecting, and divided into two separate units: that of living and that of common spaces. Architects’ description and more images after the break.

Hamam Jazz Bar shortlisted for “Best Bar Design of the World”

World Architecture News Competition has chosen Hamam Jazz Bar Prishtina as one of the “Top Best Bar Designs in the World”, putting it together on a list with competitors from Paris, Barcelona, London, NYC, Dubai, Shanghai, Hong Kong, etc.

An extensive group of excellent designers and architects were part of the judges’ panel, which achieved to put a short list of entries based on different categories, among which in the category of bars competing with hundreds of top-quality entries from around the world, Hamam has achieved to attract their attention and be shortlisted together with other projects from companies like Pinkeye, Minarc or ATP Sphere GmbH.

Prishtina Used To Have Two Rivers

by Attila Beksac

Prishtina seems too hasty these days. The city,  which is the youngest capital of both Balkans and Europe has lots of problems to solve while ‘turbo-urbanism’ has taken effect in whole its distritcs .

It can be said, this experience that Prishtina has been tasting since the end of Kosovo War is familiar and has taken its roots from the ex-memories of territory’s rich historical cities. ‘Identity crisis’ seems obviously  the most suitable topic to call this developments.

Raiffeisen Bank Headquarters?

A few years ago, we featured Treuscher architecture practice proposal for the new headquarters of Raiffeisen Bank. Now, we are here with another HQ proposal, this time by kub-a, another Austrian practice architecture proposal of whatever this mysterious project may be! Sited in Hemshir the district of new high-rises, the project site is at the cross-section of Tirana and Kosta Novakoviq Street.

More images and architects’ description after the break.

Prishtina Architecture Week: Day 6

After a numerous events in Prishtina Archtitecture Week which included many interesting lectures, screenings and exhibitions, this year’s edition of Prishtina Architecture Week ended with different exhibitions and an architectural tour in Prishtina. This time, the open studio was held in Përparim Rama’s 4M office in Prishtina.

Prishtina Architecture Week: Day 4

On its fourth day, the Prishtina Architecture week stayed true to the planned schedule, starting with workshops, exhibits, open studios, and closing the day with lectures and screenings.

The Prishtina based architecture company ArchiEdu presented Graphisoft ArchiCad 17 to the audience, showing the program’s new platform and advanced features which make it a more reliable tool for architects to use.

Prishtina Architecture Week: Day 2

The Prishtina Architecture Week moved into its second and busiest day yet.

It started off with exhibits, student reviews, open studio in the morning and afternoon and concluded with lectures and screening late this evening at Modelarium – FCAE Department of Architecture. The “prime time” of today`s events started with the lecture of Bujar Nrecaj from bnarchitects on his firm`s past and present projects.