Oppenheim Architecture wins to design Albania’s newest cultural institution
Oppenheim Architecture has won an international architectural competition to design the new Besa Museum, which will be Albania’s most modern cultural institution.
Launched by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Albania,
and after a two-stage competition with more than 40 entries,
Leading global architecture firm Oppenheim has been awarded the winning firm to design the new Museum of Pisa.
The museum will include exhibition spaces, archives, an auditorium, and educational spaces.
In addition to a newly constructed wing below the outer courtyard reflecting the original organization of the Ottoman structure.
The company added a series of “bright red monoliths” in the courtyard to draw visitors into the historic surroundings.
The red towers will be linked by a new wing built below the outer courtyard.
Design features
The new Besa Museum will represent one of the most prestigious museums to date,
honoring the nation’s rich cultural heritage and welcoming spirit.
With this latest institutional work,
the Oppenheim Architecture Project aims to redefine the architectural landscape in Albania.
“We are honored to represent Albania with the Besa Museum,”
said Beat Huesler, Director of Oppenheim Architecture Europe.
“Since we started working in Albania a few years ago,
we have been inspired by the culture and vitality of its people.
Hope that our vision for the Museum of Besa will use architecture as a tool to illustrate the Albanian people’s deep love and respect for their heritage and each other – that is what makes the country so dynamic.
We thank the jury and competition team for trusting us with this most important project,” Hoessler added.
Oppenheim Architecture’s first step in the design process was to connect with local experts including Albanian scholars, restoration experts, and historians specializing in Ottoman and Albanian architecture, culture, and the museum world.
The firm collaborated with New York-based museum exhibit design firm Ralph Applebaum Associates to ensure it could properly meet the unique requirements of a museum like this.
From there, the team imagined how an abstract concept like BISA could be transformed into a concrete work of architecture.
The Besa Museum takes its name from the Albanian concept of “besa”,
a sacred principle that represents the given word,
or honoring oneself by hosting, protecting, and welcoming any guest as one of your own,
illustrates the essence of the Albanian way.
Through research, the company has interpreted four pillars – tradition, protection,
hospitality and honor – that are deeply rooted in the Albanian identity and reflect an intense cultural niche.
