Ibni Pajko House
Buildings/The Ibni Pajko residential and commercial building, designed by architect Gligorije Tomić between 1937 and 1938, showcases all the principles of modern architecture prevalent in the 1940s, particularly in terms of functional organization and the application of economical constructions.
Positioned at the corner of a perimeter block, the building is expressed in a refined modern style. Its concave curved front façade forms a square, while the open ground floor with a colonnade of pillars enables uninterrupted pedestrian movement. The building consists of a basement, a ground floor, and four upper floors, with the top floor slightly protruding from the main façade, supported by short cantilevered extensions—an intervention that breaks the massiveness of the front façade. The deep arcade further dematerializes the volume that rises above it. One of the side façades features sculptural balconies that disrupt the symmetry of the building.
The main entrance to the residential units is located on the front façade, beneath the arcade, along with access points to the commercial spaces on the ground floor. The staircase core is naturally lit throughout its entire height by windows oriented towards the inner courtyard.
Architect Gligorje Tomić
Year of design 1937-1938
Investor / Owner Waqf Directorate in Skopje
City / Municipality Skopje
/ Centar
Address Pajko Maalo, Red Skopje Municipality
Floors B+M+GF+3+A
Original typology
Current purpose
Protection status not protected
- Building chronology (project, construction phases)The building was designed during the period from 1937 to 1938.Number of floorsB+M+GF+3+AProgram description (floor plan details)In the basement, there are storage rooms, while the ground floor contains commercial spaces. The mezzanine housed office spaces, the first and second floors were used for residential purposes, and the third floor contained office spaces. The attic accommodated a laundry room, ironing room, terrace, archive, and a room for tenants.StructureReinforced concrete skeletal structural system.RoofMulti-pitched sloped roof with a wooden substructure and roofing tiles.FaçadeThe building is finished with plaster in a reddish color. Shallow decorative reliefs and sculptural concrete balconies are featured on one of its side façades. Below the cornice on its front section, it was inscribed "Dom Ibni Pajko", with each letter placed in a separate compartment.CarpentryThe exterior carpentry is made of wood. In the staircase core, a structural façade made of metal profiles and glass is featured.Interior / Communal spacesThe staircase core features a terrazzo finish, with a wooden handrail on a metal structure. It includes partitions towards the staircase core—metal with glass openings.Interior / Private spacesWooden carpentry, wooden furniture.ContextThe building of the Ibni Pajko House is located in the central urban area, on the left bank of the Vardar River, with direct access from the Stone Bridge. It is positioned at the corner of a perimeter block oriented towards the Stone Bridge. Through the concave shaping of its volume, it establishes a relationship with the square in front of it—an idea that is further complemented by the corner building of the adjacent block.
- RoofMulti-pitched sloped roof with a wooden substructure and roofing tiles.FaçadeThe façade is plastered in two colors. A shallow, decorative plasterwork highlights the cornice and the top floor with vertical pilasters in a reddish color. On one of the side façades, there are sculptural concrete balconies.CarpentrySome of the windows remain original wooden, while the others are PVC. In the ground floor, there are fixed display windows with aluminum and wooden frames, and the exterior entrance door is glass with PVC frames. The staircase core retains a structural façade made of metal profiles and glass.Interior / Communal spacesThe staircase core features a terrazzo finish, with a wooden handrail on a metal structure. It includes partitions towards the staircase core—metal with glass openings.Interior / Private spacesIn some of the apartments, the original wooden carpentry and wooden furniture have been preserved.Exterior conditiongoodInterior conditiongoodExterior authenticitysatisfactoryInterior authenticitysatisfactoryModificationsReplacement of exterior carpentry – windows and display windows on the ground floor. Extension of an enclosed terrace from a commercial unit on the ground floor. Installation of a screen on the roof.
- not protected
- historical architectural and aesthetic societal/social emotional The building survived the 1963 earthquake and is etched in the city's memory. The building is in use in its original typology.
- Considering all the values of the building, its authenticity, and the current condition, a recommendation is made to the relevant authorities for the protection of cultural heritage and other decision-makers, to prepare a report that shall initiate the process of declaring this significant building as a cultural heritage of modern architecture of the first category in the Republic of North Macedonia.
- Tokaev, M. (2006). 100 Years of Modern Architecture. Volume Three: The Contribution of Macedonia and Yugoslavia 1918–1990. Grčev, K. (2003). The architectural styles in Macedonian architecture from the end of the 19th century and the interwar period. Skopje: Institute of Folklore "Marko Cepenkov". State Archive of the Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje Department. Arch. No. 6.1.295.4/51-236.