Lumbardhi Cinema Adaptive Reuse Design, 2019
Commissioned by Lumbardhi Foundation, UNDP Kosovo, EU IcSP, CHwB Kosovo as part of “Inter-community Dialogue through Inclusive Cultural Heritage Preservation”

In the restoration of the Lumbardhi Courtyard, we defined ‘green’ and landscape as a performance rather than an arrangement of plants. The project proposed materials and mechanisms to lower the carbon footprint of the institution and lower the heat island effects of the hard paving of the open air cinema without changing its formal qualities. The plantable areas around the cinema seating were planted with additional 30 Populus tremulus erecta trees which will require next to no maintenance while growing.

The design proposed to enhance and ameliorate the garden’s qualities. Lumbardhi Cinema is a registered landmark and is valuable in the collective memory of its inhabitants. The design aimed to preserve the material and spatial qualities that make up the outdoor space with minimal additions and interpretations that will activate the space as per future desires as well as retain its character. Therefore, the hard concrete paving area is ameliorated by recycling the existing material to be removed during construction and used as aggregate in the mix.

In place of the existing impermeable concrete paving, the proposed material is pervious concrete which lets the water on its surface drain to lessen storm water runoffs delivering the rain water into the soil and eventually feed it into the aquifers rather than draining it into sewage. Pervious concrete also reduces heat island effect of the surface area.

Prizren has a living urban water culture. To this day, the Shatërvan is a central spot where you can drink water without paying a price or using a plastic bottle. The design brought this culture into the garden of Lumbardhi via a drinking fountain. The construction of this fountain as well as an outdoor kitchen took place during Heritage Lab: Kino Bahçe organized by CHWB with student participation.

Landscape Consultant: Claudia Taborda
KHORA Team: Aslıhan Demirtaş, Gözde Çelebi, Seçkin Maden