Sarajevo Austro-Hungarian buildings require structural renovation

Architect Amir Vuk Zec is warning that the deteriorating Austro-Hungarian buildings in Sarajevo require deep structural reconstruction rather than superficial cosmetic repairs. While many of these century-old residential and public buildings define the city's urban landscape, they face significant issues due to decades of uncoordinated adaptations, insufficient maintenance, and general decay.

Zec emphasizes that simply painting or fixing facades is not a long-term solution. He argues that for these buildings to be healthy, their interiors must be stabilized and renovated first. The process involves removing old plaster, stabilizing walls, and addressing internal structural integrity before reapplying ornaments and finishing layers. This issue is also a matter of public safety, as falling facade elements have been recorded in central parts of the city in recent years.