Rruga B_ Park

5//Jun. 2023 | Architecture, Industrial Design, Urban Design,

Public spaces play an important role in creating vibrant and connected communities. They provide opportunities for people to interact, relax, and engage in a variety of activities. Unfortunately, not all neighborhoods have access to such spaces. One such neighborhood is Mati 1, which in terms of public space availability is considered one of the poorest neighborhoods in the city. To help this issue, Architecture for Humans proposed an urban intervention for the ‘Rruga B’ public place, which can potentially transform an abandoned area into a flourishing public park.

The proposal suggests creating a public place that caters to different age groups and offers various activities. The space is divided into three main clusters – leisure, entertainment and health. The leisure cluster includes seating areas, green spaces, and a small amphitheater. It provides opportunities for people to relax, read, or socialize with each other. The play cluster includes a playground and a basketball court. It is designed to attract children and teenagers and encourages physical activity and socialization. The health cluster includes exercise equipment, a running track, and a small garden. It provides opportunities for people to engage in healthy activities and spend time in nature. Due to the lack of green spaces in the neighborhood, this park is a good opportunity to create new green spaces that would offer the residents of the neighborhood and the users of the park, areas of cleaner air. Therefore, the proposal includes a variety of tall and low vegetation to be planted and maintained the in the park.

Another important aspect of the proposal is accessibility. Due to the topography of the site, specifically the steepness of the terrain, one of the key goals of our design was to make sure that the space would be accessible by any category of users. Therefore, the space is designed to be inclusive with ramps and stairs that are incorporated to make ascending and descending of the public place accessible to anyone. This ensures that the space is usable by people with disabilities or limited mobility, making it truly an inviting and gathering space for anyone.

Since we people that public spaces can also serve as strong anchors of identity the designers have incorporated uniquely designed lamps into the lightning design of the park. The lamps are not only functional but also add aesthetic value to the area, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, making the space more welcoming and safe for people to use.

Never Say Never_ by Alban Muja

4//Jun. 2023 | Architecture, Urban Design,

Imbued with historical significance and cultural relevance, the “Never Say Never” monument is a powerful embodiment of the strength and resilience of the human spirit. It stands as a testament to the struggles and sacrifices made in the name of freedom and justice. Crafted with immense care and precision, this monument is a masterpiece that blends the grandeur of architecture with the profound depth of human emotions.

Conceptualized by the acclaimed artist, Alban Muja, the “Never Say Never” monument is a magnificent architectural feat. The monument was constructed using the pre-cast concrete method. A process that involved crafting the concrete elements in a controlled environment and then assembling them on-site. This method allowed for a high level of precision and accuracy, ensuring that every detail of the design was executed to perfection.

The monument’s design features a columnar shape, constructed using a formwork of the desired shape and size. Reinforced steel, or rebar, was placed within this formwork before the concrete was poured, providing additional strength and stability to the structure. The concrete surface was then meticulously finished to give it a smooth, uniform appearance.

The construction team worked closely with a structural engineer to ensure the monument’s structural integrity. Given the monument’s purpose to stand for eternity, every aspect of its construction – from the design of the precast elements to the assembly and connection details – was carefully considered to withstand the test of time and environmental factors.

The use of pre-cast concrete and reinforced concrete was a strategic choice. These materials not only offer durability and longevity but also provide resistance to weathering, erosion, and other environmental factors. The use of formwork allowed for precision in creating the monument’s unique shape, and the uniform color and type of concrete used contributed to its monolithic appearance.

The “Never Say Never” monument is dedicated to Adem Demaçi, a prominent figure in Kosovo’s political history, and other political prisoners of Kosovo. Demaçi, a leader of the Albanian nationalist movement, spent over 28 years in prison for his political activism. His struggle and sacrifice are emblematic of the fight for Kosovo’s independence and freedom.

The monument also serves as a symbol of respect and remembrance for all those who suffered in the name of freedom and justice. It is a reminder of the sacrifices made by these individuals and emphasizes the importance of their contributions to the country’s history and culture.

Engraved with the words “Never Say Never”, the monument is a beacon of hope and perseverance. It is a powerful symbol of the resilience and determination of the human spirit, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a brighter future.

Moreover, the monument serves as a symbol of unity and solidarity. Its dedication to political prisoners from diverse backgrounds is a poignant reminder that the country’s diversity is its strength. It underscores the message that all citizens should stand together for the same goal – the freedom of the country.

In conclusion, the “Never Say Never” monument by Alban Muja is a significant addition to Kosovo’s cultural landscape. It stands as a symbol of remembrance, hope, perseverance, unity, and solidarity. The monument is a tribute to the sacrifices made by individuals for the country’s freedom and serves as a reminder of their invaluable contributions to its history and culture.

A collaborative effort, the monument was brought to life by Alban Muja, Architecture for Humans, MB Office and AL Stone. Their combined expertise and dedication resulted in a structure that will forever stand as a testament to the resilience and unity of the human spirit.

Artist: Alban Muja
Architecture: Architecture for Humans
Production: MB Office
Structure: AL Stone
Foundations: Enes Krasniqi
Photography: Engjell berisha

“Europe Without Monuments”_ by Stanislava Pinchuk

15//Aug. 2022 | Architecture, Urban Design,

‘Europe Without Monuments,’ is the new piece of art by renowned artist Stanislava Pinchuk and curated by Petrit Abazi, which was commissioned by Manifesta 14 and brought to life by Architecture for Humans. The pavilion was constructed in the ‘Ibar’ river in Mitrovica, using scaffolding that also offers citizens a new way of connecting and interacting with the river of their city.

The city of Mitrovica lies 37 kilometres north of Prishtina along the Ibar river; one of the many territories long disputed between Kosovo and Serbia. Defined by its expansive Trepča mine, Mitrovica is home to Kosovo’s third largest population – yet is often described as the ‘most divided city in Europe’. Following the atrocities of the 1998-99 war, the Ibar river has splintered the city into primarily Serbian north and Albanian south banks – with different languages, religions, mayorships and currencies.

Although a new bridge has been built, for over two decades it remains a barricaded point of tension, witness to sporadic ethnic violence. Continuously patrolled by Italian KFOR-MSU military, the bridge has seen a rise in pedestrians over the last years – although it still remains blocked to cars.

‘Europe Without Monuments’ is a playground and pavilion; an artwork placed in the middle of the Ibar river by the city’s New Bridge. Its three forms are taken at scale from Mitrovica’s iconic concrete ‘Monument to Fallen Miners’ built by architect Bogdan Bogdanović commemorating the unified revolt of Albanian and Serb workers from the Trepča mine against Nazi occupation of the city.

A difficult monument for both sides of the river, Bogdanović’s trilith weighs heavy with the promise and betrayal of Yugoslavia; belonging to everybody and nobody at the same time. Built from scaffolding in steel and zinc (a material still mined in Mitrovica), Pinchuk’s work re-imagines the city’s riverscape as a fluid and ambiguous boundary, rather than a strict geopolitical divide.

Open until the end of summer, the installation celebrates a popular bathing spot; providing a playful point of congregation in a city where green and public spaces are profoundly lacking. Like a shimmering whale skeleton washed ashore, the scaffold recalls the process by which Bogdanovic’s monument was once cast, that can now be walked into and explored; where new narratives might form in the space left empty.

A Serbian humanist and intellectual, with ancestral roots in Kosovo, Bogdan Bogdanović was a publicly outspoken critic of the rise of Milošević’s nationalism. Once a Mayor of Belgrade, Bogdanović would spend the remainder of his life exiled in Vienna – close to his beloved Danube river. In his last interview, Bogdanović wished that he never had to build such monuments:

‘I dream of a Europe without monuments. By that I mean without monuments of death and disaster. Perhaps philosophical construction: monuments to love, to joy, to jokes and laughter.’

Despite their tragic context, Bogdanović unusually loved the idea of children playing around his works – designing them to hold meaning and wonder long into the future, for when war in Europe would be a distant memory.

On 22 July 2022, Manifesta will open in Kosovo. 700km away, Ukraine will enter its 149th day of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Kharkiv, Pinchuk’s home city, will enter another day with sand-bags and scaffolding protecting the monuments that are still standing.

While we dream of a Europe without monuments to death and disaster, we still face a Europe that may be without monuments at all.

Meanwhile, the city of Mitrovica is facing new tensions that have the potential to escalate further.

Credits:

Author / Artist: Stanislava Pinchuk
Curated by: Petrit Abazi
Architectural Design and Construction: Architecture for Humans
Photographs: Marcello Maranzan
Scaffolding: BS BauMetal
Commissioned by: Manifesta 14

Open_ Research

25//Apr. 2019 | Architecture, Interior Design,

Today’s relaxed and flexible state of work means that people are utilizing the office space for more than simply working. Workplaces have to some degree become a secondary home, where work, leisure, lifestyle, and self-care combine, making it necessary that the space is designed to adapt to these needs more than ever.

OpenResearch is a software company with offices in Vienna and Prishtina that aims to create this kind of environment where the people and the space cooperate.

Inspired by the space and the planets as a concept theme, the workspace is divided in three separate but interlaced volumes.

Ground Control is where the bulk of the work happens. The work desks focus on providing each person with an individual space and a coworking option, where the main goal is to inspire productivity.

Mars close by is where ideas turn into decisions. Through a closed space that is still visually connected to the rest of the office, Mars doubles as a conference room, plays on the audio-visual dimension, providing an unimpeded view of people working and complete silence at the same time. The colours encourage successful brainstorming and further cooperation.

Just behind Mars, the rigid way of working takes a back seat and an alternative, more relaxed workspace is created on The Moon area. Here people can unwind, sit and work leisurely, or just spend a little time chatting, away from their screens.

By analyzing intangible aspects of the space such as flow of movement, social interactions between coworkers, work typology patterns as well as the very human condition, and by combining it all with tangible aesthetic aspects, a contemporary work setting originated that is both functionally validated and aesthetically pleasing.

ZERO_ Emission Neighborhood

1//Feb. 2018 | Architecture, Research, Urban Design,

This project deals with the problems and difficulties mankind and society is increasingly facing due to climate change, especially the strains climate change puts on families and their economies.

This project argues that buildings no longer exclusively belong to the demand side of the energy system, rather they have become a convenient way of generating energy. The proposed project provides a possible solution on Zero Emission Building can be beneficial to the social aspects of living in a sustainable way; this includes family relationships, working hours, nutrition and many other hedonistic aspects of healthy living.

Potential outcomes and causes of climate change have been analyzed and compared with computer simulations, in order to get the overall impact that they present to residential buildings in general as well as family economies.

A special attention in this regard is put on residential buildings, due to the extensive role they have on energy consumption and CO₂ emissions, not excluding the fact that it is where people spend the majority of their time in. This project also considers the quality of life, sense of community, identity and other factors that further enhance the concept of Zero Emission Neighborhoods.

Results of this project point to the combination of passive solar design strategies, energy efficient appliances, and active solar systems that will lead to net zero energy performance given contemporary lifestyles and the impact of the digital age. The proposed model provides the necessary energy to cover the energy needs of the family, with the possibility of it becoming a source of income in the future. The case study presented here is the city of Prishtina, Kosovo, however the model is replicable and can be modified depending on the chosen location and/or the variable input.

Container_ Home

1//Nov. 2017 | Architecture, Interior Design,

A small compact home made from a reused shipping container, which can be made to fit most environments.

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Affordable_ Housing

27//Oct. 2016 | Architecture, Interior Design, Research,

A housing building made as compact as possible, lowering the cost of construction as well as the cost of maintaining it. It allows for flexibility and empowers the sense of community.

Whilst looking into the incomes and outputs of an average Balkan family, this project tries to provide high quality and spacious dwellings into a pay range what might be considered affordable to this type of family. This was achieved by tackling the problem in different ways. First the building was made as compact as possible, lowering the cost of construction as well as the cost of maintaining it. Secondly, by analyzing the lifespan of a family, the project gives all the flexibility the family needs in order to expand and/or divide the unit into multiple apartments. This gives the building a long-lasting life and a sense of community. The final project meant that the families now could own the same sized housing unit with 55% of the original price.

Playground_ Primary School

| Architecture, Research,

It goes without saying that physical activity is essential in child growth, however children are often forced to spend whole days sitting and standing thereby harming their health and posture.This project tries to combine education classes with physical activity. By doing so, the whole school turns into a giant playground, making it available for the children to run around and play, all at the same time as learning.

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Planetarium_ Hotel Revitalization

| Architecture, Research,

Hotel ‘Jadran’ in Mitrovica, is one of the oldest buildings in the city. The idea of the restoration is for the building to be self-sustainable in the future and not a burden on the city. By designing a planetarium with the accompanying functions, the whole building becomes an attraction to the city but also the region.
The added dome enables the building to have a new id entity whilst preserving it’s original one.

Trepca_ Cultural Complex

| Architecture, Urban Design,

The old ‘Trepca’ complex is an industrial zone that has always posed an environmental problem for the city of Mitrovica. Even though it is abandoned, it still has the capacity to pollute the city.

By turning the whole complex into a culture town, the city will become attractive to the whole region of the Balkans. The culture town will have various buildings of various functions which will enable every visitor to find what they desire.