House of Petar Machikić
Buildings/It is presumed that Petar Machkić’s house is the work of Czech architect Jan Dubovy, who championed the breakthrough of modernist architecture in this region. From this starting point, we can interpret his design intentions within his broader architectural practice. The house demonstrates a tendency toward purified forms while also embracing dynamic volumetric shifts and a departure from strict symmetry. Dubovy engaged sculptor Ivan Meštrović to create the lantern above the entrance, revealing that he was not entirely free from decorative approaches in façade design. The house’s plan resembles a clustered organization, allowing continuous movement from room to room. The roof section remains unplastered, with small openings on two opposing façades. According to Kokan Grčev, the sculpture dates to 1927, though this remains unconfirmed.
Architect Jan Dubovy
Construction year 1934
Collaborators Иван Мештровиќ - скулптор на фасадната пластика - Девојка со гитара
Investor / Owner Petar Machikić
City / Municipality Bitola
/ Bitola
Address Kichevo St. No. 20
Floors B+GF+A
Original typology
Current purpose
Protection status not protected
- Building chronology (project, construction phases)The building was constructed in 1934.Number of floorsB+GF+AProgram description (floor plan details)The raised ground floor and attic were intended for residential use. The basement is accessible from the southern façade, where there is a door at the same level. The main entrance to the building is on the western side, where external stairs lead up to the raised ground floor.StructureThe building is constructed with a massive structural system. The walls of the ground floor and attic are made of solid brick with lime mortar. The building has a wooden intermediate floor structure. The roof structure is wooden, gabled, and concealed by parapet walls.RoofThe roof structure is wooden, gabled, and concealed by parapet walls.FaçadeThe façade was plastered with cement-lime plaster. The entrance stairs were made of artificial marble.CarpentryThe exterior carpentry is wooden. The window openings have a double system and are painted white. The windows are typical of early modernism, with an emphasis on horizontality and are divided into horizontal sections.Building surroundingsThe house is detached and situated in a large garden with an unknown landscape design.Interior / Communal spacesThe floors are made of wooden planks, the walls are either plastered or covered with wooden paneling, and there are wooden doors and wooden furnishings such as storage elements and similar features. In the attic, the brick structure and wooden roof construction are exposed and have never been plastered. The floors there are also made of wooden planks.ContextIt is located in an urban fragment near the main promenade- Shirok Sokak, but still on a small street, tucked away within the organic structure of the neighborhood. The property is spacious and green, with frontage on two streets.
- RoofThe roof structure is wooden, gabled, and concealed by parapet walls.FaçadeThe façade was plastered with cement-lime plaster. The entrance stairs were made of artificial marble.CarpentryThe exterior carpentry is wooden. The window openings have a double system and are painted white. The windows are typical of early modernism, with an emphasis on horizontality and are divided into horizontal sections.Building surroundingsThe house is freestanding and situated in a large garden with an unknown landscape design. The area is overgrown with greenery.Interior / Communal spacesThe floors are made of wooden planks, the walls are either plastered or covered with wooden paneling, and there are wooden doors and wooden furnishings such as storage elements and similar features. In the attic, the brick structure and wooden roof construction are exposed and have never been plastered. The floors there are also made of wooden planks.Exterior conditioncatastrophicInterior conditioncatastrophicExterior authenticitysatisfactoryInterior authenticitysatisfactoryModificationsThere is no information about any physical interventions or changes, but functionally, over the years, the building has been used not only as a residential house but also as a kindergarten, children's summer camp, and polling station.
- If a complete reconstruction is not undertaken and the house continues to be fully exposed to external conditions, there is a risk that it could completely collapse.
- not protected
- architectural and aesthetic historical authorship Jan Dubovy was a Czech architect who lived in Bitola from 1934 for several years before moving to Skopje. He founded a group of architects associated with the modernist movement, which sparked the emergence of a new architectural direction in the region. Petar Machkić was a cultural activist from Bitola and served as the director of the Bitola Museum.
- To the relevant institutions for the protection of cultural heritage and other decision-makers: Taking into account the authenticity, state of preservation, and cultural-historical significance of the building as an inseparable part of Bitola’s development, it should be recognized as architectural cultural heritage from the period between the two World Wars and included in the inventory of valuable buildings. Recommendation to the owners: The value of the building should be respected when installing elements directly on the façades, and if changes are made, they should be aimed at preserving its authenticity.
- Milašinović-Marić, Dijana. "Ian Dubovi – Architect of the Belgrade Astronomical Observatory." 2002 Konstantinovski, G. (2001). Builders in Macedonia in the 18th - 19th Century. Skopje: Tabernakul https://babambitola.mk/osamenata-devojka-so-gitara-vo-napushtena-kukja-bez-muzika-vo-bitola/