It is a privilege to be here, in this remarkable corner of the world, above Tirana, where the hills unfold like a natural amphitheatre, embracing the city in its splendour as a laboratory of architecture. From a distance, the landscape captivates—soft and undulating, a vision of beauty shaped over millennia. This place is a Mediterranean oasis, where the movement of the earth itself is felt, a reminder of the forces that have sculpted such an extraordinary setting.
To build here is to ask not just why, but how—to approach this landscape with respect, ensuring that architecture becomes a natural extension of the land rather than an imposition upon it. The design begins with nature—its flowing topography, its lakes, hills, forests, and stones. Inspired by these elements, the new volumes settle gently into the terrain, following its contours in terraced layers that echo the agricultural landscapes of the region. They do not stand apart but emerge from the hills, complementing their historic character, appearing sculpted by time. Their forms blend seamlessly into the landscape, maintaining a sense of lightness and continuity.
The facades, with their rhythmic projections, create a permeable skin that integrates greenery, transforming the buildings into living, breathing extensions of nature. Like fruit growing into a tree, these elements evolve organically within their surroundings. Clad in natural materials with warm, earthy tones, the connection to the land is reinforced, while the rolling forms create an organic pattern in harmony with the site. Balconies are designed to shield from the high summer sun while inviting in the gentle warmth of winter light, ensuring a comfortable, seasonally responsive living environment. Thoughtful placement of the volumes ensures privacy while preserving expansive views of the surrounding green spaces, striking a delicate balance between openness and retreat.
The architecture follows a rational structure with repeated elements for efficiency, allowing for a cohesive yet fluid design. Over 70% of the site is dedicated to greenery, and the absence of cars transforms the space into a pedestrian-focused environment—an invitation to live not just in a home but within a park. The scale is considered and human, creating a place that feels welcoming and connected to its setting.
The built environment is not a separate entity but a continuation of the land itself. The buildings extend into the landscape, their inclined and rounded forms dissolving into the terrain, their rooftops transformed into lush terraces planted with trees. These spaces further blur the line between architecture and nature, ensuring that the skyline remains a tapestry of greenery and earth, rather than hard edges.
Stone-clad elements that continue beyond the volumes, reminiscent of traditional protective walls and agricultural terracing, do not serve as barriers but as permeable enclosures—embracing rather than dividing.
The elliptical geometry lends a natural fluidity to the design, aligning with the land’s contours and ensuring that the new structures settle harmoniously into the rolling terrain of these ancient hills. This sensitivity to the landscape, as encouraged by local authorities, allows the architecture to feel like an organic extension of its surroundings rather than an imposition upon them.
This project is more than just a built space—it is a place, shaped by and for nature. It embraces the forces of the land within its forms, evoking a deep connection for those who experience it. It is a place to be lived in, imagined, and loved—by its visitors, its future inhabitants, and by all who recognise the beauty of this landscape.
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