Wall Beams in the Service of the Sustainability of Traditional Houses

Session

Architecture and Spatial Planning

Description

Wall beams (hatulla) in traditional Albanian houses represent more than structural reinforcements; they embody a synthesis of architecture, craftsmanship, and cultural identity. Typically fashioned from oak (Quercus spp.), valued for its resistance to humidity and longterm durability, these beams were meticulously carved and fixed with wedges by experienced master builders. Their placement—varying in spacing and frequency depending on whether stone masonry or adobe was used—illustrates an adaptive vernacular engineering practice shaped by environmental resources and material constraints. Such construction methods demonstrate a refined balance between technical necessity and ecological awareness. Beyond their structural role, wall beams conveyed symbolic and social meanings. They preserved inherited artisanal knowledge, expressed aesthetic sensibilities, and reinforced a sense of communal belonging through shared architectural traditions. This study examines wall beams as both material artifacts and socio-cultural markers, situating them within anthropological debates on vernacular architecture, sustainability, and the continuity of tradition in Albanian material culture. near the city center was created in the abandoned area after the last war in Kosovo.

Keywords:

Vernacular architecture., Material culture., Structural resilience., Cultural identity

Proceedings Editor

Edmond Hajrizi

ISBN

978-9951-982-41-2

Location

UBT Kampus, Lipjan

Start Date

25-10-2025 9:00 AM

End Date

26-10-2025 6:00 PM

DOI

10.33107/ubt-ic.2025.5

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Oct 25th, 9:00 AM Oct 26th, 6:00 PM

Wall Beams in the Service of the Sustainability of Traditional Houses

UBT Kampus, Lipjan

Wall beams (hatulla) in traditional Albanian houses represent more than structural reinforcements; they embody a synthesis of architecture, craftsmanship, and cultural identity. Typically fashioned from oak (Quercus spp.), valued for its resistance to humidity and longterm durability, these beams were meticulously carved and fixed with wedges by experienced master builders. Their placement—varying in spacing and frequency depending on whether stone masonry or adobe was used—illustrates an adaptive vernacular engineering practice shaped by environmental resources and material constraints. Such construction methods demonstrate a refined balance between technical necessity and ecological awareness. Beyond their structural role, wall beams conveyed symbolic and social meanings. They preserved inherited artisanal knowledge, expressed aesthetic sensibilities, and reinforced a sense of communal belonging through shared architectural traditions. This study examines wall beams as both material artifacts and socio-cultural markers, situating them within anthropological debates on vernacular architecture, sustainability, and the continuity of tradition in Albanian material culture. near the city center was created in the abandoned area after the last war in Kosovo.