Construction has begun on MVRDV’s Skanderbeg Building, known as Tirana’s Rock, a mixed-use project 85 metres tall and sculpted into the shape of a bust of Albania’s national hero, which will be among the world’s largest buildings that doubles as a figurative sculpture. Wrapped in curving balconies that form the shape of the head of Skanderbeg, the building will be an iconic landmark at Skanderbeg Square, the very centre of Albania’s capital, celebrating and assimilating into the country’s cultural history while giving Tirana a unique identity unlike any other capital city. At the same time, behind its dramatic visage the building provides well-designed, functional homes in one of the most desirable locations in all of Tirana. Gjergj Kastrioti (1405-1468), more commonly known by the name Skanderbeg, is a central figure in the history of Albania, playing a crucial role in its conception as a nation-state. He is the country’s national hero, venerated most notably in the name of Skanderbeg Square, the main public square in the centre of Tirana, and the accompanying Skanderbeg Monument.Located on the square’s northeastern corner, MVRDV’s design for investors ANA and VI&VI brings his presence to a whole new level. At street level, the building fills the awkwardly shaped site to its very edges, and Skanderbeg’s head is carved from this maximum allowable volume like a marble bust. His shoulders align with the widest part of the site, while his head is turned to the right, facing the square that carries his name.The design achieves its unusual appearance by making use of balconies that wrap around the entire building on every level, with curved protrusions forming the facial details such as the nose, ears, and beard. These balconies allow the building’s interior spaces to adopt a more rational floorplan while providing a significant amount of valuable, shaded outdoor space for occupants. The resulting effect is somewhat subtle; people may need to look twice to understand the building’s shape, depending on the angle from which they see it. This expressive approach fits seamlessly into a city that has developed a tradition of mixing art and architecture as part of its post-communist renaissance.Inside, the building contains one level of commercial space and four levels of offices, programmes that can accommodate the deep floor plans at the bottom of the “bust”. Above this, 20 floors of residential apartments fill the “head”, with special care paid to each individual floor plan to ensure that these homes are functional despite the irregular shape of the building.The balconies for each home are separated by built-in planters, which allow the greenery in the surrounding area to extend up the building, with native plants used throughout. The design incorporates a number of features that make it sustainable in Tirana’s warm climate. Thanks to the broad overhanging balconies, the building is protected from excessive sunlight, and the floor layouts enable natural cross-ventilation. Rainwater capture and heat recovery systems minimize the building’s water and energy requirements.The balconies’ glass balustrades feature a gradient finish, fading from a milk-white to a clear finish and lending the building an ethereal, marble-like appearance. At night, lighting strips built into the underside of the balconies highlight the form of Skanderbeg’s head, making the building a beacon and landmark in the city.
Construction has begun on MVRDV’s Skanderbeg Building, known as Tirana’s Rock, a mixed-use project 85 metres tall and sculpted into the shape of a bust of Albania’s national hero, which will be among the world’s largest buildings that doubles as a figurative sculpture. Wrapped in curving balconies that form the shape of the head of Skanderbeg, the building will be an iconic landmark at Skanderbeg Square, the very centre of Albania’s capital, celebrating and assimilating into the country’s cultural history while giving Tirana a unique identity unlike any other capital city. At the same time, behind its dramatic visage the building provides well-designed, functional homes in one of the most desirable locations in all of Tirana. Gjergj Kastrioti (1405-1468), more commonly known by the name Skanderbeg, is a central figure in the history of Albania, playing a crucial role in its conception as a nation-state. He is the country’s national hero, venerated most notably in the name of Skanderbeg Square, the main public square in the centre of Tirana, and the accompanying Skanderbeg Monument.Located on the square’s northeastern corner, MVRDV’s design for investors ANA and VI&VI brings his presence to a whole new level. At street level, the building fills the awkwardly shaped site to its very edges, and Skanderbeg’s head is carved from this maximum allowable volume like a marble bust. His shoulders align with the widest part of the site, while his head is turned to the right, facing the square that carries his name.The design achieves its unusual appearance by making use of balconies that wrap around the entire building on every level, with curved protrusions forming the facial details such as the nose, ears, and beard. These balconies allow the building’s interior spaces to adopt a more rational floorplan while providing a significant amount of valuable, shaded outdoor space for occupants. The resulting effect is somewhat subtle; people may need to look twice to understand the building’s shape, depending on the angle from which they see it. This expressive approach fits seamlessly into a city that has developed a tradition of mixing art and architecture as part of its post-communist renaissance.Inside, the building contains one level of commercial space and four levels of offices, programmes that can accommodate the deep floor plans at the bottom of the “bust”. Above this, 20 floors of residential apartments fill the “head”, with special care paid to each individual floor plan to ensure that these homes are functional despite the irregular shape of the building.The balconies for each home are separated by built-in planters, which allow the greenery in the surrounding area to extend up the building, with native plants used throughout. The design incorporates a number of features that make it sustainable in Tirana’s warm climate. Thanks to the broad overhanging balconies, the building is protected from excessive sunlight, and the floor layouts enable natural cross-ventilation. Rainwater capture and heat recovery systems minimize the building’s water and energy requirements.The balconies’ glass balustrades feature a gradient finish, fading from a milk-white to a clear finish and lending the building an ethereal, marble-like appearance. At night, lighting strips built into the underside of the balconies highlight the form of Skanderbeg’s head, making the building a beacon and landmark in the city.
