Resilient by Tradition: Structural Characterization of Vernacular Architecture in Kosovo

Session

Civil Engineering, Infrastructure and Environment

Description

Vernacular architecture often embodies intuitive structural solutions that respond effectively to local environmental and seismic conditions. In our country, Kosovo, a notable example is a hybrid system combining massive adobe masonry with timber reinforcement belts at the ground floor and a lighter timber-frame superstructure known as “bondruk” or as proposed by the authors the local term “kosdak”. The lower level is built with thick earthen walls, stabilized by the timber reinforcement belts, while the upper level consists of timber frames and braces, infilled with earth–straw mixtures - adobe. This dual arrangement—heavy and stable below, light and flexible above—demonstrates an ingenious balance between strength and ductility. Although widespread in practice, this structural logic has rarely been analyzed in detail for the case of Kosovo. This study aims to present and interpret the system from an engineering perspective, examining its components and their interaction, and situating it within a broader family of timber–masonry hybrids found across the Balkans, Turkey, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. By tracing these parallels, it is emphasized how seismic risk has historically guided construction traditions and underline the relevance of such systems as sustainable models for resilient architecture today.

Keywords:

Vernacular architecture, built heritage, seismic resilience, timber reinforcement belts, kosdak system

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.2025.62

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

Resilient by Tradition: Structural Characterization of Vernacular Architecture in Kosovo

UBT Kampus, Lipjan

Vernacular architecture often embodies intuitive structural solutions that respond effectively to local environmental and seismic conditions. In our country, Kosovo, a notable example is a hybrid system combining massive adobe masonry with timber reinforcement belts at the ground floor and a lighter timber-frame superstructure known as “bondruk” or as proposed by the authors the local term “kosdak”. The lower level is built with thick earthen walls, stabilized by the timber reinforcement belts, while the upper level consists of timber frames and braces, infilled with earth–straw mixtures - adobe. This dual arrangement—heavy and stable below, light and flexible above—demonstrates an ingenious balance between strength and ductility. Although widespread in practice, this structural logic has rarely been analyzed in detail for the case of Kosovo. This study aims to present and interpret the system from an engineering perspective, examining its components and their interaction, and situating it within a broader family of timber–masonry hybrids found across the Balkans, Turkey, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. By tracing these parallels, it is emphasized how seismic risk has historically guided construction traditions and underline the relevance of such systems as sustainable models for resilient architecture today.