06.03.2022
OUD+ Architects, in collaboration with ENOTA, has been awarded the first prize in the international architectural competition for the design of the new Prishtina Indoor Sports Center – a landmark project that will redefine indoor sports infrastructure in the capital of Kosovo.
The proposal, developed jointly by OUD+ Architects (Bekim Ramku, Nol Binakaj, Zana Bokshi, Gresa Morina, Marigona Derguti) and ENOTA (Dean Lah, Milan Tomac and team) for the Prishtina Municipality, was recognized with an Honorable Mention in Architectural Design at the prestigious Architecture MasterPrize 2025 in the Recreational Architecture category.
Located on the edge of Prishtina’s city center next to the existing bus station, the design responds to the unique urban conditions of the site by integrating a large public plaza and pedestrian-oriented civic space that flows organically around and atop the building. The architectural concept is driven by an elliptical spatial logic, preserving the existing traffic loop and transforming circulation into an active public realm.
The center’s form emerges from a double-helix gesture that interweaves pathways and ramps, creating accessible external routes that connect the plaza, roof park and programmatic elements of the hall. This dynamic design not only enhances the building’s presence in its context but also creates new opportunities for community interaction, public life and urban connectivity.
Inside the hall, the layout allows for multiple configurations: a 3,500-seat arrangement that can accommodate a large handball court or three parallel basketball courts, and an expandable configuration of up to 5,000 seats for major international basketball competitions – all compliant with FIBA standards and adaptable for concerts, exhibitions and community events.
This winning project marks an important milestone in the evolution of Prishtina’s built environment – combining architectural innovation, urban integration, and flexible sports programming to create a civic destination for athletes, spectators, and the broader public alike.
