RAHOVEC

CONCEPT
VERNACULER SUSTAINABLE

PERIODE
2020

LOCATE
KOSOVO RAHOVEC

International Design Competition – Central City Square of Rahovec, Kosovo

Client & Context
Launched by the Municipality of Rahovec and supported by UN-Habitat, this 2020 competition sought proposals to regenerate Rahovec’s central square into a high-quality, sustainable, and inclusive civic space. The challenge emphasized participatory planning and the creation of a vibrant urban heart that reflects the city’s heritage and supports its future growth.

Design Vision

Rahovec, celebrated for its natural beauty and historic vineyards, has the potential to become a global destination and a beloved gathering place for residents. Our proposal revitalizes the intervention area and its key connections, benefiting residents, merchants, farmers, and visitors alike.

The design positions the city center as the nucleus of recreation, commerce, tourism, and culture, while strengthening pedestrian and cycling links to both the historic quarter and the vineyard landscapes. Two primary routes—each with wide footpaths, cycling lanes, and one-way vehicular traffic—extend from the new plaza, activating intersections with color-coded paving and converting adjacent public properties into spaces for exhibition, curation, and education.

Key Elements

Three Interconnected Zones

  1. Intimate Park – A mix of greenery, seating, and play furniture for quiet reading, intergenerational sports (table tennis, board games), and children’s climbing frames.
  2. Central Plaza – Anchored by a water channel running from the Tony Mici Monument, the plaza hosts icons referencing Rahovec’s vineyards, a vibrant amphitheater, fountains, adult swings, dancing circles, and a mini sports arena. The amphitheater stage doubles as an ice-skating rink in winter.
  3. Marketplace – Flower stalls lead to a lively farmer’s market, cafés, offices, an innovation center, and permanent retail spaces, creating a hub for local enterprise.

Water as a Connector
A continuous water channel links all three zones. Its widened, deepened northeast end forms a man-made lake that captures excess rainwater and prevents flooding. During dry periods, the lake’s shallow, sloped segments transform into a skateboarding arena, ensuring year-round use.

Architectural Integration

  • Hardhia Bar Complex – Reimagined with arched brick and local marble, the complex hosts seasonal market stalls, exhibition halls, small-scale recycling units, and terraces for informal collaboration.
  • Indoor Stadium & Hotel Park Plaza – Upgraded with metal or wood screens and local marble cladding, these facades become visual landmarks. Broad, planter-lined stairs double as amphitheater seating facing the plaza.

Sustainability & Comfort

  • Native trees and plant beds provide thermal comfort and reduce cold wind currents.
  • Vibrant yet subtle street furniture—including shaded seating and play equipment—animates the public realm.
  • Basement and multi-level parking are integrated into natural terrain, keeping the ground plane pedestrian-friendly.

Outcome

The design transforms Rahovec’s central square into a vibrant, inclusive city center rooted in sustainability and local heritage. By weaving together parks, plazas, markets, and cultural venues, the project creates a dynamic urban destination that celebrates Rahovec’s identity while supporting its economic and social growth.