Archnet > Collection > Bing and Harrington Balkan Archive (BHBA)

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<p>This wooden dwelling is referred to as a katnica or čardak in the region. Typically, these buildings have a gabled end and principal living spaces facing the street, and are constructed using oak planks with interlocking joinery at the corners. This čardak has been renovated with brick-faced walls at the ground level, which were originally constructed of exposed wooden planks and the interior spaces used principally to store equipment, livestock and produce. The renovated ground level is used as additional dwelling space. (photo 1988)</p>

<p>Lekenik is a town along the main road from Zagreb to Sisak, and this house is typical of the čardak dwellings along this route, yet distinguished by its doubled stair which provides access to both street and yard. Small roof gables articulate these two entry ways at top and bottom. Plaster coats the ground level for added weatherproofing, and a pent roof protects this surface on the street elevation</p>

<p>This wooden chapel was constructed in the 17th century in the town of Buševec. Buševec is within the Turopolje region that includes the winding Sava River and its tributaries. The region has a rich heritage of timber dwellings and religious structures. The chapel has a vaulted interior and contains painting on the interior surfaces.</p>

Rendering of the elevation seen from the Buna River

<p>The tekija seen situated on the shore of the Buna River, at the base of the massive karst stone formation</p>

Regional Surveys

Projects

The Bing and Harrington Balkan Archives consist of the work of J. Brooke Harrington and Judith Bing who have collaborated in research on the vernacular architecture of the Balkans for more than twenty-five years. Their archives are comprised of an extensive collection of photographs, drawings, and publications on traditional wooden buildings and settlements in Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey.

The buildings examined include urban and rural houses, farm buildings, shops, and other economic structures, as well as religious sites and structures. Buildings were examined to better understand construction methods and details, formal, and spatial characteristics, and expression of social and cultural traditions. These buildings represent the diverse ethnic groups, cultures, and religions characteristic of the Balkans. As wooden structures are vulnerable, most buildings visited were constructed during the nineteenth century, but the oldest date back to the early eighteenth century.

Bing and Harrington’s fieldwork involved archival studies, observations, and documentation at building sites, and consultation with regional experts. Bing and Harrington have written individually and jointly in peer-reviewed publications on topics related to their studies, and presented papers at numerous academic and international conferences. Exhibitions of their own photographs and drawings have taken place at a variety of institutions. Their long-term goal is widespread access to their research materials, by way of an internet-accessible, digital archive and the Aga Khan Documentation Center at MIT.

Researchers can view archival materials by appointment at MIT Libraries. A finding aid listing the materials in the collection is available on MIT Libraries' ArchiveSpace, and information on making appointments is available on the Department of Distinctive Collections website.

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