Sustainable Strategies in Vernacular Architecture Practices in Sarajevo: The Architectural Ensemble of Alija Djerzelez House as a Case Study

Abstract

Contemporary architecture and the construction sector are responsible for a significant increase in energy demand and its effects on environmental issues. Vernacular building principles, if adopted and adapted, are promising in addressing this problem using sustainable design approaches. This paper is based on an investigation of sustainability principles applied in vernacular Bosnian house and vernacular neighborhoods in Sarajevo. It uses primary sources such as in-situ analysis and aims to investigate sustainable building strategies in vernacular building design and the possibilities of adopting them in contemporary architecture. Particularly, the paper is focused on the Sarajevo region and the architectural ensemble of Alija Djerzelez house, as it is one of the most representative examples of vernacular residential architecture from the 17th century. It was found that some sustainability principles recognized in the example of Alija Djerzelez house and the vernacular neighborhoods, if improved and implemented in contemporary architecture, could become part of the solution concerning climate change. Moreover, vernacular Bosnian houses, if optimized for the needs of the 21st century, can provide outstanding climate comfort which is a crucial component of contemporary architectural design. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.