ZEMLJA

ZEMLJA | Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2023
[projektvarhitektura]

An ecologically and economically viable retrofit apartment located in the previously war-torn Grbavica neighbourhood of Sarajevo — is a new model for sustainable reconstruction from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In a society still recovering from the Bosnian War and the Siege of Sarajevo in the (1992-1995), Zemlja, strives to rebuild a sense of place, home, and shared identity through architectural innovation. It raises the question: can rebuilding a home provide ideas for rebuilding a community, a city, or even a country?

‘Zemlja’, meaning ‘earth,’ ‘land,’ and ‘country’, embodies a holistic approach to deep social, environmental and economic repair and healing, promoting the production of sustainable materials and knowledge, countering unsustainable post-war practices.

The original neglected apartment — situated in a former socialist housing block — has been radically transformed, working within a compact 50m2 area. Non-structural walls were replaced by movable curtains, converting four dark, small rooms into one generous light space with five adaptable living areas. The curtains act like theatre drapes, which reveal and hide layers of space and provide endless possibilities for change.

Three islands of bespoke fixed furniture, conceived as miniature architecture, anchor the main uses of living, working, sleeping, and dining. They include: a rammed earth coffee table, a stone and beech-wood dining table, and a three-sided beech-wood wardrobe and desk unit that creates the main separation between these areas.

These islands of natural earth, wood, and stone are inset from the external envelope, allowing air flow, daylight and free movement around the whole apartment.

The white oak flooring unifies the whole apartment, while remnants of original terrazzo flooring in the kitchen and bathroom have been retained.

‘Zemlja’ is made almost entirely from natural materials — earth, clay, natural fabrics and wood — which are more affordable than imported alternatives. This promotes circularity and results in a low carbon footprint.

Clay plaster finishes the walls and ceilings, a first contemporary example in Bosnia-Herzegovina rooted in traditional clay construction. The richly textured surface, provides depth and an ever-changing ambiance as it reflects daylight and warm materials. Clay and wood also regulate humidity and improve air quality, thermal performance, and well-being.

The concept of ‘Zemlja’ extends to the facade, incorporating spruce timber windows and balcony. This celebrates urban living that is more connected to nature and community, and builds on the spirit of Sarajevan adhocism, evident in the patchwork of self-built balconies and windows.

‘Zemlja’ also responds to its historic context. Tearing down the walls in the apartment symbolizes the removal of physical and psychological boundaries that exist in a divided society. While parts of the design learn from examples of innovative, adaptable and organic architecture from the city’s past.

Alongside the design, Project V Architecture have managed the entire construction process, including self-building specialist furniture, working with a disconnected network of mines, factories, and craftspeople across Bosnia-Herzegovina, bringing together a material palette that represents the cultural diversity of the country. Text description by the architects.