08.01.2024
Together with Kengo Kuma & Associates, OUD+ Architects was awarded first prize in the international competition to transform the Gërmia Building into a concert hall, leading the conversion of one of Prishtina’s most significant architectural icons into a new cultural landmark for Kosovo.
Originally built in the 1970s as a department store, the Gërmia Building is among the city’s most recognizable modernist structures and occupies a prominent place in the collective memory of Prishtina’s citizens. In response to the competition brief, the proposal is grounded in the preservation of the existing architecture, treating the modernist buildings as a spatial and cultural framework within which the new program is carefully articulated.
The project preserves and refurbishes the original structures while introducing a new architectural layer: a lightweight canopy that weaves together the existing volumes and establishes a continuous public realm. This canopy acts as both connector and mediator, linking the main auditorium, restaurant, gallery, and ancillary spaces while creating a new sequence of indoor and outdoor public spaces. Conceived as a unifying element, it contrasts with the clarity and rationality of the modernist forms, introducing a softer and more social architectural gesture.
As the defining feature of the new venue, the roof is designed to foster encounter and exchange. In addition to serving as a spatial connector, the canopy accommodates a temporary exhibition space, extending the cultural program beyond performance and reinforcing the building’s role as an everyday civic destination.
Within the preserved structure, the main auditorium is conceived as an organic interior, deliberately contrasting the rational geometry of the existing building. Inspired by the surrounding natural landscape of Gërmia, the interior introduces warmth, tactility, and spatial fluidity, creating an immersive acoustic and visual environment for music and performance.
Sustainability is integrated as a fundamental component of the renovation strategy. The project incorporates stormwater harvesting systems and natural ventilation, while the new canopy is conceived as a green roof, contributing to environmental performance and microclimatic comfort. Through a careful balance of preservation and transformation, the project aims to safeguard Prishtina’s modernist heritage while establishing a contemporary cultural platform for Kosovo’s evolving art scene.
OUD+Architects served as Lead Architect and overall Project Coordinator, assuming comprehensive responsibility for the architectural vision, design leadership, and the coordination of all engineering disciplines throughout the project. This role encompassed the integration and management of structural engineering, HVAC systems, electrical and lighting design, water supply and sewage infrastructure, fire protection strategies, accessibility requirements, and advanced acoustic design. Through close collaboration with specialized consultants, OUD+ ensured that all technical systems were fully aligned with the architectural concept, regulatory frameworks, and performance standards, delivering a coherent, robust, and technically integrated project outcome. Supported by the European Union in Kosovo, the projects construction is due to start in year 2026.
