Dates of construction: Late l8th/early l9th centuries; this site was most likely developed and reworked over a protracted period of time beginning in the l7th century.

Period and style: Ottoman / Domestic Balkan Architecture                       

Formal characteristic:  The Biščević House is a two-level courtyard dwelling and part of one of the most important Bosnian Ottoman residential complexes in Mostar. It possesses many of the key characteristics of traditional residential architecture in Mostar: a powerful site, strong textures of local wood and stone construction, and the transformation of domestic spaces to suit a hot arid climate.

The Biščević and Lakišić Complex is a relatively unaltered traditional residential complex, notable for its high visibility along the Neretva River.

Before destruction
The Biščević House appears to be the former public quarter-or selamluk-of a prominent Ottoman house, formerly connected to the family quarters-or haremluk-of the Lakišić House. The Biščević House is entered by way of a large wooden portal (kapa) from Biščević street, opening into an outer courtyard paved in patterns of river stones with a sheltering arbor. A second gate opens into a secluded second courtyard, also stone-paved, and landscaped with fruit trees. The historic house, its outbuildings, and the perimeter wall, frame the courtyard and protect its privacy, creating a gracious cloistered environment.

Substantial masonry walls form the body of the house structure, with timber frame and infill construction used for cantilevered bays and interior partitions. A timber-framed roof is clad with local slate; deeply projecting eaves protect interior spaces from the summer sun. The two levels of open living spaces (the hajat below with tavan above) and a connecting stair, provide access to the interior rooms. Those rooms consist of typical Ottoman living and kitchen spaces, including one special reception room on the first floor, the čošak, which projects spectacularly above the Neretva River, supported on two tall masonry piers. This unique space has built-in seating (divan), windows on three sides and a shallow dome formed in the ceiling. While a familiar element in the traditional Ottoman house, the čošak of the Bišćević House is a famous and prominent feature of the landscape of Mostar's river bank.

The Lakišić House is also a two-level courtyard dwelling, part of the traditional Balkan Ottoman residential complex which includes the Biščević House. Also entered from a wooden portal on Bišćević Street the primary entrance opens onto a partially paved courtyard, with the remains of fruit trees and arbors. The house, outbuildings and perimet walls frame this space and protect its privacy. A small door connects courtyard to a small terrace with a spectacular command of the river, fi which steps lead to a large rock ledge below.

After destruction
Ownership history: It was common in the Ottoman domestic tradition for extended familie consisting of several married brothers, their wives and children to shar single house. The large, multi-purpose room allowed them each a fam space, within a larger, extended family home. It is possible that this was the reason for the division of the Biščević House into two different homes-creating the Lakišić House-sometime in the last century. Tl Lakišić House fell to the Lakišić family through marriage and property division.

The Biščević House is still under family ownership and operated as ar "Ottoman House Museum" opened to public visitation in 1956. Shellf the recent war between 1992 and 1993, the Biščević section of the hoi has been stabilized and continues to be open to the public, but the Lak House was left only a masonry shell and is in significant peril.

Site history: Through time the complex was divided into three parts. The Northernmost section belongs to the Municipality of Mostar, which bought it from the Grabovac family in 1980. The central part constitu the Biščević House, which belongs to the Biščević family, and the third southern section still belongs to the Lakišić family. Both houses have been maintained as traditional residences.

Assumptions for reuse: These buildings would continue as residences, including pre-war touristic functions. They are important as historical monuments and as anchors for a residential sector of east Mostar that retains the scale, materials, and forms of the Ottoman period. These houses promote a vision of the past and retain an intimacy of scale and diversity of urban texture that makes Mostar an important urban ensemble.

Proposed intervention:

Cost estimate: 173 000 USD