Residential Building of Jelena Todorović
Buildings/The residential building was constructed in the spirit of modern rationalism and has a symmetrical Cyrillic letter "P"-shaped layout. The building occupies the entire width of the block and has three street façades.
The main (southern) façade is designed in three vertical segments, with the central one slightly protruding compared to the lateral sections. It has a different finishing treatment, and its vertical axis features the entrance door. At the corners of the main façade with the eastern and northern sides, elongated balconies stand out, expressively designed with curved overhangs and metal railings.
The elevated ground floor is accentuated with a cornice, which continues along the length of the side façades below the windows. The use of these elements achieves a pronounced horizontality of the building. An interesting element characteristic of the style in which it was built is the presence of oculi in the upper sections and the accentuation of the eaves, where decorative beams are installed.
Architect Kiril Zernovski
Construction year 1940
Investor / Owner Jelena Todorović
City / Municipality Skopje
/ Centar
Address Risto Shishkov St. No. 24
Floors B+GF+2
Original typology
Current purpose
Protection status not protected
- Building chronology (project, construction phases)The building was designed in 1939. The building was constructed in 1940.Number of floorsB+GF+2Program description (floor plan details)The ground floor and upper floors contain residential units. On each level, there are two apartments whose layouts are functionally designed and reflect a modern housing concept. The stairwell features three-flight U-shaped stairs and is naturally illuminated through glazed doors with transom windows located on the northern walls of the landings. These doors lead to terraces facing the rear side of the building, where each apartment has its own service entrance. The building was equipped with electric lighting, sewage, and water supply systems, and all sanitary fixtures were installed.StructureThe building is constructed with a massive structural system. The foundations are made of rammed concrete, while the walls on the ground floor, upper floors, and attic are made of solid brick with lime plaster. The building has a reinforced concrete floor structure, including balcony slabs and slabs under the terraces. The roof structure is made of wood.RoofHipped roof, wooden substructure covered with roofing tiles.FaçadeThe façade is plastered with cement-lime mortar. The central part of the main façade, as well as the cornice of the raised ground floor, are plastered with an imitation of stone slabs, while the side façades have a terranova finish. The window openings and cornices are highlighted and painted in red. There is shallow decorative molding that articulates the surface with horizontal and vertical lines.CarpentryThe external carpentry, consisting of windows, balcony doors, and the main entrance door, is made of wood. The main entrance door to the building, apartment entrance doors, and windows are wooden and painted with oil-based paint. The façade windows are equipped with built-in wooden shutters. The windbreak door and the doors leading to the terraces are wooden with glazing. All railings in the circulation area and on the terraces are made of wrought iron, and all sheet metal work is made of galvanized sheet metal.Building surroundingsWith its three sides, the building faces a public space, while at the back, there is a backyard with an unknown floor finish, enclosed by brick and mortar walls, with entry through metal gates.Interior / Communal spacesThe circulation core is finished with terrazzo, and the stairs have wooden handrails on a metal structure.Interior / Private spacesAll interior walls and ceilings are plastered with lime mortar and painted. The flooring in the rooms is made of tongue-and-groove wooden boards, while in the utility spaces, it is finished with terrazzo and concrete.ContextThe building is freestanding, with its three façades fronting three streets: "Leninova," "Risto Shishkov," and "Krsto Bajich" in Skopje's Debar Maalo, where its volume and façade design are harmoniously integrated into the immediate surroundings. In this historic neighborhood, many representative buildings were constructed during the interwar period, now part of Skopje's cultural heritage, and survived the catastrophic earthquake.
- RoofHipped roof covered with roofing tiles and gable dormers.FaçadeThe façade is plastered with cement-lime mortar. The central part of the main façade, as well as the cornice of the elevated ground floor, are plastered to imitate stone slabs, while the side façades are finished with terranova treatment. The window openings and cornices are accentuated and painted in red.CarpentryIn some apartments, the windows retain the original wooden carpentry, while a certain number have been replaced with PVC. The entrance and windbreak doors remain unchanged, as well as the entrance doors of most apartments. The doors leading to the terraces are wooden with glazing, except for one where the glass has been replaced with an OSB panel. All sheet metal work is made of galvanized steel.Building surroundingsWith its three sides, the building faces a public space, while at the back, there is a backyard with an unknown floor finish, enclosed by brick and mortar walls, with entry through metal gates.Interior / Communal spacesThe circulation core is finished with terrazzo, and the stairs have a wooden handrail on a metal structure.Exterior conditionsatisfactoryInterior conditionsatisfactoryExterior authenticitysatisfactoryInterior authenticitygoodModificationsMany changes have been made for which there is no information on when they occurred: Replacement of roofing tiles. Extension of the attic space to create additional apartments, resulting in dormers being constructed on the southern side of the roof. A number of original wooden windows have been replaced with PVC. On one of the doors leading to the terraces, the glazing has been replaced with OSB board. Improvised partitions have been installed on the terraces between apartments, covered with plastic ribbed roofing. In the northwest corner of the backyard, an extension in the form of a kiosk made of solid construction has been built, most likely as a commercial space.
- not protected
- architectural and aesthetic historical authorship The relevant institutions for the protection of cultural heritage and other decision-makers should take into account the values possessed by the building, recognize it as architectural cultural heritage from the period between the two world wars, and register it in the inventory of valuable objects. 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.
- Konstantinovski, G. (2001). Builders in Macedonia in the 18th-19th Century. Skopje: Tabernakul. Tomovski, K., & Petkovski, B. (2003). Architecture and Monumental Art in Skopje Between the Two World Wars. Skopje: Museum of the City of Skopje. Kocevski, D. (2022). If You Love Skopje – Come, I Will Wait for You on the Waterfront. Skopje. Begemot. State Archive of the Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje Department, Arch. No. 6.1.357.10/128-183.
- Константиновски, Г. (2001). Градителите во Македонија 18-19 век. Скопје: Табернакул. Томовски, К. & Петковски, Б. (2003). Архитектурата и монументалната уметност во Скопје меѓу двете светски војни. Скопје. Музеј на град Скопје Коцевски, Д. (2022). Ако го сакаш Скопје – дојди, ќе те чекам на кејот. Скопје. Бегемот. Државен Архив на Република Северна Македонија, Одделение Скопје, арх. бр. 6.1.357.10/128-183.