14 March 2017 Pristina
*the writing and photos are being published under author’s permission
The Brutalist object, realized by architect Ravnikar, has undergone another phase of restoration of the facade, after several interventions disputed over the years. The last intervention has encountered the opposition of some students, academics, architects.
According to a writing held several weeks ago by Arber Sadiki (architect and professor in Pristina) at “Koha Ditore”:
“The purpose of the Faculty of Engineering, as the only work of architect Ravnikar conducted in Pristina, represents one of the few buildings in Pristina in the spirit of brutalism, which is expressed through the readability of the structure and the severity of the materials by setting out concrete as the texture. ”
“In fact, the hatred for the Faculty of Engineering began years ago with the construction of a scandalous steep roof, covered with tiles, in complete contradiction with the principles of brutalism.
Not happy with this damage, to lovers of ugly and evil continued to build the block of sanitary units in its main facade across all floors, although such utility facilities could have been positioned in dozens of other positions inside the building, avoiding total transfiguration of the building.
Add to this fact the principle, that to love the evil you have to hate the good, makes you believe that maybe disfigurement, has been the reason for intervention on this building”
Photography: Samir Karahoda & Arbër Sadiki
Following this writing, we raise the questions:
1. Should we restore The Modern?
2. How can we restore it?
