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<p>This photograph was taken kneeling to approximate the eye level of one sitting within the čardak. These spaces are used both as places for daily work and to enjoy the atmosphere, colors, and smells of the garden. The term čardak has been referred to as defining 'a place between heaven and earth'. This particular čardak has an important place in our continuing research of the qualities and characteristics of the vernacular architecture of the Balkans and the roots of these special places of work, gathering, and enjoyment.</p>
<p>This 18th century house, with its čardak (raised porch) sits within a walled garden to which it was relocated as part of the Ethnological Museum in Priština. In 1991 the interior cabinetry and some built-in furniture was in place along with artifacts of the period when it was built. One can see, under the stairway, timber for ongoing work. The broad roof projections are supported by pronounced brackets that connect to posts rather than to the wall. The interlocking beams, supporting the čardak deck, contain decorative notched patterns.</p>
<p>Priština (Prishtinë), located in east central Kosovo, is the capital, cultural, and economic center of Kosovo. The Academy of Sciences &amp; Arts, part of the University of Priština, is situated in this reconstructed dwelling with the prominent 'erker' (oriel element). The erker is formed to appear as a cantilever over the wall; it is constructed by the corbelling of beams that support a raised additional sitting area. The extended roof protects the walls from the strong summer sun and allows its windows to remain open for ventilation during rainy periods.</p>
<p>These drawings show this former double house after its adaptation for institutional use. The building was constructed of thick perimeter walls with one wall that crossed through the courtyard. The upper level walls were thinner and constructed with wood framing, light infill and covered with plaster. The plan shown is the restored upper floor. The ground level had entries to the northern street and the building was divided so that two courtyards existed, each with its own gallery and stair. </p>
<p>This sketch was made to show the subtle offset of the čardak level from the stairway and deck as well as its rotation from the geometry of the other construction elements of the house.</p><p>The railing of the čardak is very low since the occupants typically sit directly on the floor surface. The low rail provides a comfortable edge without becoming a dominant element in the occupants' views of the garden.</p>
<p>This 19th century building was originally formed as dwellings for two families with street-facing shops, and was reconstructed (with new materials) for a single use in 1965. The former porches and courtyard were combined and dividing walls removed. The upper level rooms contain operable windows that allow cross ventilation through the structure during the hot summer months. The stepped beams supporting the erker (oriel window) can be seen at the right. Today the Academy has moved to a new building, and this building returned to private use.</p>
<p>This house that was owned by the Kocadiši family was constructed during the late Ottoman period and is set within a walled garden. The symmetrically composed dwelling has a central hall that opens to the large projecting čardak, which has built-in seating around its perimeter. It is currently the home of the Kosovo Institute for the Perservation of Cultural Monuments. The survey drawings of this dwelling show that there had previously been an exterior wooden stair on the far side of the čardak (and along the dwelling wall) to allow easy access to the upper level.</p>

Kosovo (BHBA)

Kosovo, a contested country and/or Serbian province, is the home of two principal ethnic groups, Albanian and Serbian, with historic roots to Slavonic, Albanian and Ottoman cultures. The country has four pronounced landscapes (the mountains of the Dinaric Alps and the Šar Planina, the Metohija Basin and the Plain of Kosovo) that are important factors in the development of the different types of vernacular architecture still found.


In 2008 Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia. Today over 110 countries recognize Kosovo as a sovereign state, but it has not yet been accepted as an independent sovereign member state of the United Nations.

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Kosovo (BHBA)

Kosovo, a contested country and/or Serbian province, is the home of two principal ethnic groups, Albanian and Serbian, with historic roots to Slavonic, Albanian and Ottoman cultures. The country has four pronounced landscapes (the mountains of the Dinaric Alps and the Šar Planina, the Metohija Basin and the Plain of Kosovo) that are important factors in the development of the different types of vernacular architecture still found.


In 2008 Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia. Today over 110 countries recognize Kosovo as a sovereign state, but it has not yet been accepted as an independent sovereign member state of the United Nations.

Images & Videos
<p>This photograph was taken kneeling to approximate the eye level of one sitting within the čardak. These spaces are used both as places for daily work and to enjoy the atmosphere, colors, and smells of the garden. The term čardak has been referred to as defining 'a place between heaven and earth'. This particular čardak has an important place in our continuing research of the qualities and characteristics of the vernacular architecture of the Balkans and the roots of these special places of work, gathering, and enjoyment.</p>
Emin Gjiku House (Kuća Emindžika), garden from čardak, Priština, Kosovo
digital photograph
<p>This 18th century house, with its čardak (raised porch) sits within a walled garden to which it was relocated as part of the Ethnological Museum in Priština. In 1991 the interior cabinetry and some built-in furniture was in place along with artifacts of the period when it was built. One can see, under the stairway, timber for ongoing work. The broad roof projections are supported by pronounced brackets that connect to posts rather than to the wall. The interlocking beams, supporting the čardak deck, contain decorative notched patterns.</p>
Emin Gjiku House (Kuća Emindžika), view of čardak from garden, Priština, Kosovo
digital photograph
<p>Priština (Prishtinë), located in east central Kosovo, is the capital, cultural, and economic center of Kosovo. The Academy of Sciences &amp; Arts, part of the University of Priština, is situated in this reconstructed dwelling with the prominent 'erker' (oriel element). The erker is formed to appear as a cantilever over the wall; it is constructed by the corbelling of beams that support a raised additional sitting area. The extended roof protects the walls from the strong summer sun and allows its windows to remain open for ventilation during rainy periods.</p>
Academy of Sciences & Arts of Kosovo, view of erker from Ulica Eminduraka, Priština, Kosovo
digital photograph
<p>These drawings show this former double house after its adaptation for institutional use. The building was constructed of thick perimeter walls with one wall that crossed through the courtyard. The upper level walls were thinner and constructed with wood framing, light infill and covered with plaster. The plan shown is the restored upper floor. The ground level had entries to the northern street and the building was divided so that two courtyards existed, each with its own gallery and stair. </p>
Academy of Sciences & Arts of Kosovo, drawings of restored house, Priština, Kosovo
architectural drawing
<p>This sketch was made to show the subtle offset of the čardak level from the stairway and deck as well as its rotation from the geometry of the other construction elements of the house.</p><p>The railing of the čardak is very low since the occupants typically sit directly on the floor surface. The low rail provides a comfortable edge without becoming a dominant element in the occupants' views of the garden.</p>
Emin Gjiku House (Kuća Emindžika), sketch from čardak, Priština, Kosovo
architectural drawing
<p>This 19th century building was originally formed as dwellings for two families with street-facing shops, and was reconstructed (with new materials) for a single use in 1965. The former porches and courtyard were combined and dividing walls removed. The upper level rooms contain operable windows that allow cross ventilation through the structure during the hot summer months. The stepped beams supporting the erker (oriel window) can be seen at the right. Today the Academy has moved to a new building, and this building returned to private use.</p>
Academy of Sciences & Arts of Kosovo, courtyard of complex, Priština, Kosovo
digital photograph
<p>This house that was owned by the Kocadiši family was constructed during the late Ottoman period and is set within a walled garden. The symmetrically composed dwelling has a central hall that opens to the large projecting čardak, which has built-in seating around its perimeter. It is currently the home of the Kosovo Institute for the Perservation of Cultural Monuments. The survey drawings of this dwelling show that there had previously been an exterior wooden stair on the far side of the čardak (and along the dwelling wall) to allow easy access to the upper level.</p>
Kocadiši House with čardak Ulica Zenel Saliha 9, Priština, Kosovo
digital photograph
Parent Collections
Bing and Harrington Balkan Archive (BHBA)
Bing and Harrington Balkan Archive (BHBA)
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