The architecture initiated during the time of the Austro-Hungarian period was distinctly expressed both in Sarajevo and in the whole region of Bosnia-Herzegovina. A substantial number of these buildings was assessed for their historical, architectural, ambient and aesthetical values and, as such, represent the valuable historic heritage of these regions. Standing among them in its impressive dimension and being of a great national value is the palace of the former Provincial Government, which was designed by Josip Vancaš in Vienna (1884). The aim of the present paper is to emphasize the importance of atrial and open spaces integrated into the volume of the building. These spaces can be used to synthesize and functionally transform spaces into controlled and contextually selected forms, contemporary shapes and materials by applying functional creativity without endangering the ambience and historical values of the building. On the contrary, by closing the courtyard and atrial spaces, it would be possible to ensure a buffer zone between the interior and the exterior as well as to create a micro-climate and eliminate processes that generally occur in façades facing such spaces. These spaces could be synthesized and functionally transformed into useable, controlled and contextually selected forms by creatively applying contemporary shapes and materials without endangering the ambiance and historic values of the building. The view towards the sky through a diagonal lattice would present an association to the “lattice window” or “mušebak”, creating a comfortable microclimate. Several different structural concepts were studied. The aim of the paper was to evaluate structural concepts in terms of feasibility and energy efficiency measures pay off. There are numerous examples of transparent roof extensions introduced when rehabilitating the existing cultural-historical buildings, the extensions known for their power in terms of quality and quantity or the harmonious bond between the old and the new. The atrium roof structure will be supported on the walls of existing building. Since the roof structure would be on the interior of the building footprint it is important to consider manageable erection process.

Traditional art of building in Bosnia and Herzegovina comprises brick or stone masonry structures. Most historical buildings belonging to national cultural heritage were made of stone-masonry. The country is situated in seismic active region of South-East Europe. In the case of strong earthquake motion such buildings could suffer heavy damages. Some structural elements of historical buildings, as domes and arches, cracked already by moderate earthquake but without the loss of stability. Substantial damages were caused by recent war disaster. Damages could be accumulated through the history as well. Generally, stone-masonry buildings in Bosnia and Herzegovina can be classified in vulnerability classes between A and C according to European Macroseismic Scale. Design and construction procedures for rehabilitation are presented here with examples of repair and strengthening of mosques, which present historical stone masonry structures dating from the Ottoman period in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Traditional and contemporary materials were used for their rehabilitation. It is important to preserve original forms, especially those of damaged elements. The challenge for structural engineers and architects was to find equilibrium between aesthetical and structural demands.

In this work, both farm milk samples (n=3), as well as samples of milk from Bosnia and Herzegovina market (n=7), were analyzed to quantify the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls. The PCB content (as Aroclor 1254) was determined in the fat extracts using the PCB ELISA kit, according to the procedure provided by the manufacturer. The total PCB concentrations (as Aroclor 1254) in individual milk sample ranged from <LoD to 787.74 μg/kg lipid weight (l.w.). The calculated Ʃ6PCB were ranged from <LoD to 187.72 μg/kg l.w. In one out of ten analyzed samples the presence of PCB higher than maximum limit (ML) was found. However, the absorbance measured for this sample is out of the linear range. In this case the sample can be considered as a suspect and should be analyzed with the quantitative confirmatory method. In other milk samples the concentration of PCB was in the acceptable range, and far below the ML.

Among other pieces of architectural historical heritage in Sarajevo, and Bosnia-Herzegovina in general, the Austro-Hungarian architecture has preserved its original architectural, artistic and engineering characteristics. Both residential and public representative urban blocks, streets and squares are of distinguishable ambience in the architectural and urban image of the city and are testifying about our architectural past. A number of buildings is valorised and protected by law in terms of their architectural, artistic and historical value. In addition, these buildings have a distinct functional, ambiental, historical, and even aesthetical value. To make them last longer, refurbishment of these buildings is challenging and presents potential and multiple benefits for the city, and beyond. Refurbishing built environment through functional reorganizing, redesign and energy efficiency measures applications could result in prolonged longevity, architectural identity preservation and interior comfort improvement. Besides, implemented measures for energy efficiency, through the refurbishment process, should optimize the needs for energy consumption in treated buildings. This paper defines options in comfort improvements and redesign, without implying risks to the building longevity, analyses interventions and energy efficiency measures which would enable potential energy saving assessment in the refurbishment process of masonry buildings. This paper also discusses the different techniques that can be adopted for conservation and preservation of historical masonry buildings from the Austro-Hungarian period dealing with energy efficiency. The works were preceded by historical research and on-site investigations. This paper describes a methodology to quantify their vulnerability. A scheme of structural retrofitting is suggested following the research conducted. Revitalization of the building consisted in the reconstruction of the old building structure, creating the inner courtyard and covering it with a glass roof.