Architectural Evolution in Albania: A New Era of Design and Innovation
In recent years, Albania’s architectural landscape has undergone a significant transformation. The country has embraced new design approaches that complement its rich history and diverse cultural heritage. Since 2016, and especially following a surge in activity in 2020, Davide Macullo Architects has led this architectural shift. They have contributed to a growing portfolio of influential projects across Albania. These projects showcase a unique architectural vision that avoids nostalgic reconstructions or impersonal modernism. Instead, they focus on designs that seamlessly blend with their surroundings.
Architectural Response to Location: Merging Culture and Nature
The design studios of Davide Macullo Architects work on diverse projects, from veterinary clinics to hillside residences. Each project is approached as a unique response to its location. Local culture, materials, topography, and a refined sculptural approach are incorporated. As the founding architect says, “Our projects align with the specific needs of the places we work in. Our designs emerge naturally from their context.”
Innovative Projects in Albania
This architectural philosophy is reflected in three exciting new projects by Davide Macullo Architects in Albania: “Leaves in Flore,” “Valona Hills” along the southern coast, and “Seeds in Forest Hills” near Tirana. While each project is situated in a different environment, they share a common architectural language. This language emphasizes openness, environmental sensitivity, and human comfort.
Interacting with the Terrain: “Dream” Hotel and Residential Expansions
One ongoing project that embodies this approach is the “Dream” Hotel. Inspired by Albania’s historic castles, it integrates seamlessly into the local landscape. The hotel exemplifies the deep connection between architecture and terrain. Similarly, new residential expansion projects follow these principles. The designs are carefully aligned with the land, ensuring that the buildings blend harmoniously with their environment.
Architecture as a Bridge Between Place and the Future
For Davide Macullo, architecture becomes meaningful when it reflects the essence of its place and serves the people who interact with it. He explains, “Our goal is to integrate these buildings harmoniously into their surroundings. This enhances the environment and creates spaces where people feel comfortable through their interaction with light, color, and form. We also seek to inspire curiosity about the deeper meaning behind these designs.”
Architectural Approach Rooted in Context
Architect David Macullo emphasizes that their design philosophy is deeply anchored in the context of the place. He states, “Although each project has its own unique character shaped by the client’s preferences, we ensure it integrates seamlessly into its surroundings.” Macullo and his team draw inspiration from the local environment, fully recognizing that once completed, the project becomes an inseparable part of the landscape.
“Leaves” Project in “Flore”
The “Leaves” project in “Flore” is a clear reflection of this philosophy. Situated between the sea and the mountains, the design concept embodies a visual sculpture that captures the interaction between the building and the natural surroundings. Currently in its conceptual phase, the residential tower is envisioned as two interlocking structures, symbolizing the hills and valleys of the land. This fluid design captures light reflected from the Mediterranean Sea, while the building’s three-dimensional façade, crafted from a grid of “geometric farmers,” integrates vegetation directly into the structure.
Materials and Architectural Details
The precast concrete panels, painted in five earthy tones, enhance the façade by mirroring the seasonal color changes in Albania’s landscapes. These leaf-like projections provide passive climate benefits, such as shading in the summer and allowing light to filter through in the winter.
Human-Centered Architectural Philosophy
When discussing the formal elements of these designs, Macullo asserts that they are not merely visual features. Instead, they stem from a human-centered philosophy that views architecture as “a bridge between the DNA of a place and its future.” He envisions each project as a “living entity,” with “wide eyes, attentive ears, breathing spaces, and open arms, embracing its inhabitants with love.”
Architectural Plans in Valona Hills
The “Valona Hills” project, located along Albania’s southern coastline, is designed to harmonize with the surrounding natural landscape. The residential towers in this project blend seamlessly into the stunning terrain, enhancing its beauty while responding to it. These towers embrace an organic concept that reflects Albania’s local culture, highlighting the deep connection between architecture and place.
A Design Vision Inspired by Heritage and Climate
Created in collaboration with S&L Studio, the design of “Valona Hills” features a serene Mediterranean sensitivity. The project aims to merge the openness and connectivity of Mediterranean cities, while incorporating clear references to the region’s agricultural heritage. The objective is for the project to serve as a dynamic interaction with both the environment and the local community.
An Organic Form in Harmony with the Terrain
The buildings in “Valona Hills” adopt an organic, conical shape that aligns harmoniously with the natural topography. These structures settle rhythmically into the land, blending with the surrounding green spaces. The façades, surfaces, and terraces allow plants to integrate into the architectural structure, transforming the site into a living, cohesive system.
Integration with the Environment
David Macullo emphasizes that the buildings in this project are not isolated from their surroundings. Instead, they are integral parts of the natural environment. This integration enhances residents’ sense of comfort and belonging, reflecting an architectural vision that nurtures the relationship between place and human beings.
Commitment to Architectural Design Reflecting Context and Community
David Macullo’s commitment to creating architecture that respects its context goes beyond mere interaction with the place. It also embraces the social aspect of the local community. In the “Valona Hills” project, the design includes public gathering spaces and intentionally reduces population density to align with local priorities. This approach reflects Macullo’s desire to enhance the quality of life for the community, balancing both social and spatial aspects.
Enhancing Human Comfort through the Design of Slow Spaces
The design fosters a slower pace of life, emphasizing walkability and offering expansive views that enhance openness and tranquility for residents. The architectural identity of the buildings reinforces this atmosphere through the interplay of solid mass and void. Softened vertical joints and smooth curves interact with green spaces, such as terraced gardens, to create a harmonious environment.
The Importance of Creating an Integrated Environment in Harmony with Its Surroundings
Macullo stresses the importance of designing spaces where people feel at ease. He believes the main goal is to create an integrated, cohesive environment that harmonizes with its surroundings. This connection between buildings and the community is key to fostering a positive and sustainable environment.
A Human-Centered Approach to Architectural Design
Macullo views the architect’s role as more than shaping forms; it is also about observing and responding to the needs of people. His designs are built on a human-centered approach, drawing from anthropology, psychology, and other disciplines. As he explains, “Architecture organizes our thoughts by not prioritizing isolated elements, but by recognizing that each component shapes human behavior.”
