In the tranquil countryside of Prapashticë, Kosovo, a remarkable architectural transformation has taken shape that reimagines rural hospitality through the lens of cultural preservation and environmental sensitivity. Completed in 2024 by the innovative Maden Group, the Kasollet e Zanave project—which translates to "Fairy Huts"—represents a thoughtful approach to adaptive reuse that honors traditional farming heritage while introducing contemporary comfort and functionality. Spanning an impressive 130,000 square meters, this hospitality complex demonstrates how architecture can serve as a mediator between people, nature, and tradition without erasing the existing landscape's character.
The project's cornerstone is the sensitive conversion of an existing cowshed into a multifunctional welcoming center, a challenge that required careful balancing of agricultural authenticity with modern hospitality standards. The former livestock structure now houses a vibrant market on its ground floor, providing space for local vendors and artisans to showcase regional products. Above this commercial space, offices for administrative functions occupy the second floor, while sleeping quarters for staff are discreetly integrated into the upper levels. This vertical programming maximizes the building's utility while maintaining its modest rural footprint. The transformation utilized sustainable natural materials including locally sourced wood, traditional mud bricks, and straw, selected not only for their environmental benefits and thermal performance but also for their visual harmony with the surrounding agricultural landscape.
Inside the converted structures, Maden Group's interior design strategy masterfully weaves together Kosovo's rich cultural heritage with contemporary architectural language. The spaces feature original artworks by prominent local artists Jakup Ferri and Adem Kastrati, whose pieces infuse the interiors with a distinct regional identity and artistic depth. Traditional objects and natural materials—including straw, wood, and native stone—are reinterpreted through a modern design sensibility, creating environments that feel simultaneously familiar to local visitors and sophisticated to international guests. This careful curation results in warm, functional spaces that tell the story of the region's craftsmanship while meeting the expectations of twenty-first century travelers seeking authentic experiences.
A central gathering space known as the animal garden exemplifies the project's commitment to working with existing natural elements rather than against them. Originally conceived as a perfect circular arena, the design was thoughtfully modified to preserve a mature tree that stood at the site’s center, allowing this established element to become the focal point of the composition. This adjustment reinforces the fundamental relationship between human activity and natural preservation that defines the entire project. The circular layout encourages social interaction among visitors and provides a versatile outdoor venue that functions comfortably throughout Kosovo's four distinct seasons, offering both shelter and openness as weather demands. Construction of this space employed natural stone and wood to strengthen the sensory and visual connection to the landscape.
The broader design philosophy of Kasollet e Zanave extends beyond individual buildings to encompass a holistic vision of environmental interconnection. Rather than imposing a foreign architectural language on the countryside, Maden Group chose to build upon the existing farm structures, using simple yet deliberate gestures that emphasize continuity and authenticity. This approach demonstrates how thoughtful architectural intervention can revitalize rural communities by creating economic opportunities through tourism while preserving the environmental and cultural values that make such locations unique. The project's success lies in its ability to serve multiple constituencies—local farmers, artisans, hospitality staff, and international visitors—while maintaining a cohesive vision of sustainable development.
As Kosovo continues to develop its tourism sector, Kasollet e Zanave stands as an exemplary model for how architecture can contribute positively to both community and landscape. The project proves that contemporary design need not sacrifice tradition, and that sustainability can be achieved through local materials and smart adaptation rather than high-tech solutions. Under the leadership of Ideal Vejsa and the Maden Group team including Blend Dema and Gazmend Dema, with structural consultation from Guri-ds sh.p.k studio, this hospitality complex offers a blueprint for sensitive rural development that other regions would do well to study. The photographic documentation by Leonit Ibrahimi and Moviola Studio captures how the architecture nestles quietly into the land, where people, animals, and nature continue to share space in balanced harmony.
