MVRDV's Albanian Hero: A Mixed-Use Building Shaped Like a Statue

MVRDV's Skanderbeg Building, also known as Tirana's Rock, has commenced construction. The mixed-use project will stand 85 metres tall and is being sculpted into the form of Albania's national hero, Skanderbeg, making it one of the largest buildings that will serve as a figurative sculpture. It will feature curving balconies that shape the head of Skanderbeg, becoming an iconic landmark at Skanderbeg Square. 

The building will celebrate and integrate into Albania's cultural heritage, giving Tirana a distinctive identity. Additionally, the Skanderbeg Building will provide well-designed and functional homes in one of Tirana's most desirable locations.

Skanderbeg, born Gjergj Kastrioti in 1405 and passed away in 1468, holds a pivotal place in Albania's history. He played a significant role in shaping the country into a nation-state, making him a revered figure and the nation's hero. This is evident in the naming of Skanderbeg Square, the principal public square located at the heart of Tirana, and the iconic Skanderbeg Monument that accompanies it.

MVRDV's design for investors ANA sh. p.k. and VI&VI sh. p.k takes Skanderbeg's presence to a whole new level on the northeastern corner of the square. The building fills the awkwardly shaped site to its very edges at street level, with Skanderbeg's head "carved" from the maximum allowable volume like a marble bust. The shoulders align with the widest part of the site, and his head faces the square that bears his name.

The design's distinctive appearance is achieved through balconies that wrap around the entire building on every level, with curved protrusions forming facial details like the nose, ears, and beard. These balconies provide valuable outdoor space for occupants while also allowing the interior spaces to adopt a more rational floor plan. The resulting effect is somewhat subtle, requiring people to take a second look to understand the building's shape from different angles. This expressive approach blends seamlessly into a city with a tradition of fusing art and architecture as part of its post-communist renaissance.

Within the edifice lies a commercial area on one level and four levels of offices, designed to suit the expansive floorplans at the lower end of the structure's "bust." Above this section, the "head" of the building comprises 20 levels of residential apartments. Each floor has been meticulously designed to ensure that the irregular shape of the building does not compromise the functionality of the dwellings. 

“These days, cities around the world increasingly look like each other – I always encourage them to resist this, to find their individual character and emphasise it”, says MVRDV founding partner Winy Maas. “To me, the Skanderbeg Building is an opportunity to do just that. It brings new meaning to existing elements of Albanian architecture. As Albania begins its negotiations to join the EU, projects such as this one are part of the European Project – it stresses Albania’s history, character, and presence in a unified Europe of many states.”

Built-in planters separate the balconies of each home, allowing for greenery to thrive and extend up the building using native plants. The design of the building takes into account the warm climate of Tirana with broad overhanging balconies that protect from excessive sunlight and enable natural cross-ventilation. Additionally, the building has incorporated rainwater capture and heat recovery systems to minimize water and energy requirements. The glass balustrades of the balconies have a gradient finish, giving the building a marble-like appearance. Furthermore, lighting strips built into the underside of the balconies highlight Skanderbeg's head at night, making the building a beacon and landmark in the city.

 

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Press Release

Courtesy of MVRDV