mario cucinella architects plans a 'green oasis' for tirana with new ekspozita building

mario cucinella architects (MCA) has been granted permission to construct a new mixed-use complex in the heart of albania‘s capital. starting on site in 2020 and scheduled for completion in 2023, the ekspozita building will rise 93 meters high and its program will contain commercial, residential and public spaces. with its curving and partly open form, the architecture intends to create an inviting ‘green oasis’ in the center of tirana. 

all images © mario cucinella architects

the design covers a total of 24 storys with the levels split according to function. parking facilities and a leisure and healthcare complex can be found in the lower ground levels. on the ground floor, the building opens up to commercial, office and educational spaces, while the higher levels are reserved for the large residential program. in addition to the main volume, the project also includes a much smaller two-story building that will be used as a kindergarten.

the structure peaks at the rear elevation, resulting in a form that resembles the nearby mount dajti. the unusual geometry that is created lends itself to the program. as the building rises, it withdraws back into itself, creating the smaller footprints that are most suitable for residential use. on these levels generous planting has also been incorporated by the architect to establish a connection to nature, while the inward-facing balconies afford privacy and protection from the busy city. 

the architect has maximized the rectangular plot to create a building that is open to the public. this has been achieved by cutting off the corners of the site to create yet more public spaces and by piercing a ‘notch’ in the rear of the building to provide a diagonal route of permeability.

the design of the ekspozita building also pays close attention to tirana’s ‘humid temperate’ climate, which sees summer temperatures peak at 30C. solar shading is a key strategy to prevent heat gain in the generously glazed building during hot months and the large terraces of the apartments act as passive solar regulators. the structure will also be highly insulated, with the intention that it will need no heating or cooling in the two shoulder seasons. the design team calculates that these strategies will mean that the building uses 30% less energy than other, comparable developments. 

project info:

project name: ekspozita building

location: tirana, albania

program: mixed-use

architect: mario cucinella architects

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom