ETNOMANIA Boutique Hotel

ETNOMANIA project is a transformation of a single-family house into a boutique hotel. Although the existing house was located in the city center of Prishtina, in one of the old urban neighborhoods, Tophane, the building is not very old and there were no architectural values to be preserved during this intervention. In order to retrofit the new function, an annex was added to fit out the restaurant and reception area of the hotel.

The cultural heritage values and the spirit of the place have been key intervention drivers to this project. Manifestation of the precious cultural and architectural heritage is reached through integration and interpretation of symbols, objects, and materials. Ethnographic elements such as ‘qilimi’ (local rug), ‘kasnak’ (sewing accessory), ‘funi’ (baking accessory), and the ‘oriental window frames’ from old urban homes, were thoughtfully integrated in the proposal.

The mission of ETNOMANIA boutique hotel is to promote local hospitality. This is a place where a visitor can stay, enjoy the local food, local culture and local craftsmanship. In addition, there is an inner garden as a peaceful green oasis where one can use as an escape from the ‘urban jungle’ of Prishtina city center.

The new annex is a temporary construction, where steel structure is used as a system that can be disassembled and reused in the future. The architecture of the new exteriors contrasts the old by using the new materials with dark colors, big windows that offer maximum transparency and natural light in contrast to the existing building smaller windows.

The interior surfaces are treated with neutral materials and colors in order to reveal the local decorations and craftsmanship. The patterns of ‘qilimi’ are used in the seating areas and on the concrete flooring of the restaurant. Curtains with oriental details and ceiling panels inspired from ‘kasnak’ further enhance the interiors in the rich visual aspect and in acoustic aspect as well.

The walls of the existing corridors of the former house are used as exhibition areas for local artists, as they are invited to display their arts and crafts for periods of time. Visitors of the hotel are exposed to local arts and crafts; they can also purchase them as souvenirs as e memory from Prishtina.