#Multifunctional building #Sarajevo #Bosnia and Herzegovina #1940
Islamska zajednica u Bosni i Hercegovini
Ferhadija 2, 4; Ćemaluša 7
71000
Sarajevo,
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Public transport: Bank
Access: Public building, free entry during working hours
Today's use: multifunctional
Description
For a city of its size around 1940, this building represented an entirely new scale. With its 13 floors—originally planned to reach 16—it stood as an exceptionally tall structure.
The lower part of the building, comprising five stories, occupies the entire footprint of the lot. Public spaces were incorporated into the ground floor, while residential apartments are located from the second to the fifth floor.
A striking feature of the building is the tower that rises on its western side. On the 10th floor, a terrace encircles the tower completely. The building was commissioned by the Islamic Community, and the terrace design appears to be a reference to the balcony of a mosque's minaret.
On the three floors below this terrace, additional terraces were added to the east and west sides of the tower. Over time, some residents enclosed these areas, resulting in an irregular and fragmented facade rhythm. Above this level, three more floors were constructed.
Originally, the top floor was open to the east but has since been sealed off.
Notably, the first floor features a continuous, large window front. It was very likely used for public purposes as well. This architectural approach was also implemented in the design of the Pension Fund Building, also designed by Muhamed and Reuf Kadić.
Description
For a city of its size around 1940, this building represented an entirely new scale. With its 13 floors—originally planned to reach 16—it stood as an exceptionally tall structure.
The lower part of the building, comprising five stories, occupies the entire footprint of the lot. Public spaces were incorporated into the ground floor, while residential apartments are located from the second to the fifth floor.
A striking feature of the building is the tower that rises on its western side. On the 10th floor, a terrace encircles the tower completely. The building was commissioned by the Islamic Community, and the terrace design appears to be a reference to the balcony of a mosque's minaret.
On the three floors below this terrace, additional terraces were added to the east and west sides of the tower. Over time, some residents enclosed these areas, resulting in an irregular and fragmented facade rhythm. Above this level, three more floors were constructed.
Originally, the top floor was open to the east but has since been sealed off.
Notably, the first floor features a continuous, large window front. It was very likely used for public purposes as well. This architectural approach was also implemented in the design of the Pension Fund Building, also designed by Muhamed and Reuf Kadić.
History
The available sources do not mention exactly when construction of the building began. In 1940, the Islamic Community demolished the Ćemaluša Mosque—originally built in 1515—along with its cemetery, located on the same site. Ćemaluša Street remained as a reminder of this period. Construction was interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War, and it is unclear how far it had progressed by that time. Work resumed only after the war. In 1947, Sarajevo’s first high-rise building was completed. It is often referred to as a skyscraper. Of the 16 floors originally planned, only 13 were built. After World War II, an advertisement for the Yugoslav airline JAT was placed on the building, leading to its common nickname: the JAT Skyscraper.
History
The available sources do not mention exactly when construction of the building began. In 1940, the Islamic Community demolished the Ćemaluša Mosque—originally built in 1515—along with its cemetery, located on the same site. Ćemaluša Street remained as a reminder of this period. Construction was interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War, and it is unclear how far it had progressed by that time. Work resumed only after the war. In 1947, Sarajevo’s first high-rise building was completed. It is often referred to as a skyscraper. Of the 16 floors originally planned, only 13 were built. After World War II, an advertisement for the Yugoslav airline JAT was placed on the building, leading to its common nickname: the JAT Skyscraper.
Sources
Sources
