Innovative housing in Albania’s capital
Zaha Hadid Architects has unveiled a striking design for “Nest and Cascades,” a residential project set against Tirana’s dramatic landscape. Nestled in the Kodra e Dielli district, known for its sweeping views of Dajti Mountain, these developments aim to cater to diverse living needs.
The project comprises two main developments, with each offering a unique yet complementary architectural style. “The Nest” will include four distinct buildings, while “The Cascades” expands upon the district’s renowned Arka Art Hotel.
The compelling design of “The Nest”
Zaha Hadid Architects plans for “The Nest” to bring a variety of one- to three-bedroom apartments into the heart of Tirana. True to the firm’s renowned style, the buildings feature undulating forms with recessed terraces and cantilevered balconies, all meticulously designed through complex digital models. This design not only enhances aesthetic appeal but optimizes cross-ventilation for residents.
“The Nest” also serves as an environmental system, responding to the city’s humid subtropical Mediterranean climate. The architecture includes deep facade reveals and strategic recesses that manage solar radiation and maximize winter sunlight.
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Rich materials and sustainable design
Emphasizing sustainability, “The Nest” will utilize modular components and clay-based cladding. The four buildings will wear a color palette reflecting the local geography: two in fawn, one in terracotta, and another in deep red, echoing the nearby iron-rich soil.
A thoughtfully designed community park will be integrated into the project, featuring native flora and areas shaded to facilitate social interaction. Additionally, high-albedo surfaces and permeable paving will counteract urban heat effects, supported by a rainwater harvesting system and solar installations.
Expanding luxury with “The Cascades”
Adjacent to “The Nest,” “The Cascades” enhances the Arka Art Hotel with a new 120-room hotel wing and residential space. At the heart of the design is a dramatic 60-meter extension of the hotel’s original pool, complemented by landscaped courtyards and cascading garden terraces to provide breathtaking valley views.
The architectural design of “The Cascades” echoes “The Nest,” featuring deep terraces and glassfibre-reinforced concrete panels to evoke the region’s stone textures. Modular construction minimizes transport distances while reflecting local geology’s texture.
A hub for innovative architecture
Tirana continues to evolve as a center for avant-garde architecture. Alongside Zaha Hadid Architects, landmarks like MVRDV’s hero-shaped tower and NOA’s towering gabled-house stack illustrate the city’s rapid transformation and architectural ambition.
The creative visuals for this project were produced by Engram.
Sources & Links
Source: dezeen.com