The paper deals with the analysis of the fortified dwellings - Kulla, which were constructed in Kosovo since XVIII–XIX century. As a case study, one took the Kulla, which were constructed in the Plain of Dukagjin. These types of dwellings were not constructed solely in Kosovo, but also in other countries of the region, that is: Northern Albania, Macedonia, and Montenegro. In Kosovo, the major parts of these buildings were constructed in the Plain of Dukagjin. Usually these buildings were constructed in two and three floors. Characteristic feature of these buildings is the division of functions in vertical direction. The research is based on the literature, analysis of the buildings, the research that was done up to now, including the interviewing of the persons-owners of the Kullas. The aim was to get an understanding on the purpose of constructing the Kulla in vertical manner. Kulla was analyzed in functional, architectural, constructive and condition aspect, which it offers to its inhabitants. There are a lot of factors that influenced on the construction of these buildings, one of them being the climate. Kosovo is characterized by a harsh climate during cold season of the year, which influenced on the relatively low height of the floors. Another feature is limited lighting in the ground floor, which increases steadily going further up to the last floor, as well as through the embrasures used for fire arms.

The urgent need for energy consumption reduction and trends of global warming leads toward exploring possibilities to “hide” living space from explosion to climate changes as a result of global warming. This paper aims to present benefits of underground houses, underground living space. Housing is elementary process of mankind life that was performed from the existence of life in different forms, shapes, levels and social developments. House, as one used to get protected by phenomena of the nature, historically used in different shapes, levels and materials, created mentality that one percept as protective, and isolated space, for life activities. This paper treat possibilities, and priorities, of underground housing and construction of underground house in current development of technology, climate development impact, current development of mentality of society and approach of society toward energy efficiency, as underground house is one of the contribution. Paper as well analyze applicable standards and current legislation in Kosova for underground construction and housing.

Ensuring the provision of suitable living units remains one of the most challenging issues among the architects. The economic conditions in Kosovo represent one of the factors that influenced the functional and spatial change in multi-apartment buildings. Taking into account the passing of time, economic conditions, the requirements and needs of the communities change, those affects change in the functional and spatial aspect. The construction of multi-apartment and individual buildings, as well as other buildings with other uses in the center of the cities represents a delicate issue. On the other hand, the need for reconstruction and re-destination of usage of the existing residential buildings is becoming an important topic for the society in Kosovo. The issue is somewhat sensitive regarding the multi-apartment residential buildings, given that the usable surface is increasingly limited. The next challenge for the architects will be the treatment of the existing areas, their adaption in harmony with the requirements of the new generations, social changes that Kosovo is dealing with. The entire endeavor to reach a more comfortable solution is realized through treatment of the residential spaces not only in function wise, as well as in the exterior, through the transparence in architecture. The aim of the paper is to show transformation of the living spaces through real example, in Prishtina.

Flexibility represents one of the main elements of the sustainable architecture. Flexibility is important, especially for the multi-family apartments the useable surface of which is rather small. For the families with low incomes and social cases, flexibility represents a very important element given that can change the function based on the change of family structure. The aim of the research was post occupancy evaluation of subsidized housing, where it was realized that they do not meet the needs of residents, therefore were proposed changes in floor plan based on the average number of family members, realised through annexes. During this research work, analytical method, administration of questionnaires and observation period method was used.

Since 1947, apartment buildings have made their apparition in the Kosovar city landscape. Different aspects have been highlighted by this extensive research: the different types of architecture and their respective characteristics, the modifications made to them throughout the years and the factors, which contributed to these modifications. These buildings have been divided into two categories, the older buildings built by the public sector from 1947 until 1999 and the recent ones built from 1999 until the present time by the private sector. Analytical and comparative methods have been used to conduct this research. The results revealed that the living area in apartment buildings built after 1999 has been reduced compared to those built earlier, which implies a general trend of decrease of habitable living space. In addition to this, a change worth mentioning in the functionality of these apartment buildings has been noticed. A survey sent to Kosovar citizens was used in order to obtain their opinions on this subject.

In the traditions of Kosovo, until recently, families lived in communal households, with several generations sharing the same housing unit. After 1999, there has been a noticeable tendency for new families to live in their own apartments, only with their nuclear family. Often, this shift has caused dissatisfaction among the elderly. The research focuses on evaluating the performance of multi-family apartments built in the city of Prishtina. The aim of the study is to measure the performance of housing units where families related by blood live, in order to understand whether these units meet the users' needs and whether the residents are satisfied with their living spaces. The data for this research were collected through the researcher's observation period as well as communication with the users.