PALAZZO ZORZI
29 AUG - 25 NOV 2012 MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:30AM - 5:30PM
www.biennale.arch.al
Pavilion of Albania at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia
13 th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia
Common Ground Curatorial Director
David Chipperfield www.labiennale.org 29.08.2012 – 25.11.2012
Albanian Pavillion
Palazzo Zorzi
Pavilion of Albania at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia
IN HERITAGE Curated by
Arch. Ilir Voci biennale.arch.al biennale.arch.al@gmail.com
Albanian Pavillion
Palazzo Zorzi
Pavilion of Albania at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia
ENTON DERRAJ Ministry of Tourism, Cultural Affairs, Youth, and Sports Enton.Derraj@mtkrs.gov.al Commisioner of the Albanian Pavilion at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia.
EDUCATION 1996-2002: Polytechnic University of Tirana, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Architecture and Urban Planning. Specialization in Urban Planning and Design. 1990-1996: High School “Hasan Tahsini”, Sarandë, Albania. WORK EXPERIENCE Aug-2011 2009-2011 2007-2009 2001-2009 2001-2001
Advisor of the Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports in Albania Freelance Architect and Urban Planning Expert POLIS International School of Architecture and Urban Development Policies, Lecturer Co-PLAN – Institute for Habitat Development”, Tirana ADC Studio – Architectural Project and Design, Tirana
SPECIALISATIONS 2008 2008 2002
Rotterdam, Netherlands – Land Management and Informal Settlements Revitalisation Budapest, Hungary – Training in Public Management of the Urban Changes in Transitional Cities Rotterdam, Netherlands – Training in Empowerment of Local Governance in Urban Management and Community Based Development in Albania 2000/1 Budapest, Hungary – Two training modules on “Urban and City Management”
Albanian Pavillion
Palazzo Zorzi
Pavilion of Albania at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia
Arch. ILIR VOCI Mob: 00 355 66 20 75 100 ilirvoci@yahoo.com biennale.arch.al@gmail.com Curator of the Albanian Pavilion at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia. EDUCATION 1983-1988 Tirana University, Faculty civil engineer, Architecture major, specialized in Urban Planning. 1979-1983 High school “Raqi Qirinxhi“, Korça WORK EXPERIENCE 2005-2012 2005-2009 2002-2005 2001-2002 1995-2001 1994-1995 1992-1994 1989-1992 1988-1989
Practising Architect. Member of the City Council of the Municipality of Korca. Director of Governmental Services in the Council of Ministers. Professor at Fan Noli University, Architecture for tourism attractions. Practising Architect. National Institute of Urban Planning. Director of Urban Planning Department, Ministry of Public Works. National Planning Institute, Gramsh City planning team. Urban Planning Department in Municipality of Gramsh.
SPECIALISATIONS 2002 1999 1998 1994 1993 1993 1993 1993 1992
Prague, Checz Republic - Menagement of turistics structure Athens, Greece - Training course for management of small to medium business. Gent, Belgium - Participant in the conference of the young European Entrepreneurs. Budapest, Hungary - The habitat and the implementation of its philosophy in Albania Budapest, Hungary - Seminar for housing strategies. Nice, France - Touristic management structure and environmental preservation. Vienna, Austria - Training for the regulatory plan of the cities. Lisbon, Portugal - Training for the master plan of the touristic coastline in Ksamil Beijing, China - Training for G.I.S, on planning and management of Urban Spaces.
Albanian Pavillion
Palazzo Zorzi
Pavilion of Albania at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia
ENO KOTMILO 00 355 69 58 00 126 enokotmilo@gmail.com biennale.arch.al@gmail.com Deputy Curator of the Pavilion of Albania at 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia.
EDUCATION 2003-2008 1996-2000
New Jersey Institute of Technology, School of Architecture John F. Kennedy High School, Paterson, New Jersey
WORK EXPERIENCE 2010-2012 2009-2010 2009-2009 2008-2009 2007-2008 2004-2010
Architectural Designer and Urban Designer at SymbioticA, Tirana, AL. Freelance Architect at Pulice/Williams Architects, Leonia, NJ, USA. Freelance Architect at Tekton Inc., Port Monmouth, NJ. Junior Architect at Architectura Inc., Edgewater, NJ. Urban Planner/Designer at New Jersey Community Development Corporation, Paterson, NJ. Junior Architect at Frank Jakus R.A., Edgewater, NJ.
SPECIALISATIONS 2007
Newark, New Jersey - Housing Scholars Program
Albanian Pavillion
Palazzo Zorzi
Pavilion of Albania at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia
S TA F F 00 355 69 58 00 126 00 355 67 22 87 178 biennale.arch.al@gmail.com
Staff of Pavilion of Albania at 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia. Curator: Arch. Ilir Voci Deputy Curator: Arch. Eno Kotmilo Associate Curator: Arch. Albana Kocollari Arch. Brion Basha Arch. Eralda Bushi Intern: Ana Maria Konomi Xhorxho Kita Arch. Pandika Pleqi (Editor-at-large) ppleqi@wintonscott.com www.wintonscott.com Arch. Elian Stefa (Editor-at-large) elian@grima.net Gjergji Koki (Graphic designer) me@koki.com Tomi Frasheri (Associate curator) tomifrasheri@gmail.com Joni M. Qirjo (Web design) jqirjo@gmail.com Flodiana Sinanaj (Coordinator c/o Venice Biennale) floddy1981@hotmail.com
Albanian Pavillion
Palazzo Zorzi
Pavilion of Albania at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia
IN HERITAGE Standing no more than 700 km from the city of Venice, across the Adriatic, Albania presents here its history and culture with humility, yet with great force and willingness to face up to the richest global treasures collected here in Venice. Nine examples of some of the most distinct selections of the architectural and cultural heritage are offered here today through art, architecture, urbanism, from ancient ruins to the modern era. These presentations are only a small part of the Albanian heritage. After the 1990’s, along with all former communist countries, Albania joined the Western World as a free nation. Its culture, arts and architecture, in particular, were reborn and emerged with a long suppressed energy. The Albanian people, who had never lost hope of freedom, were most eager to put themselves at the forefront of the movement towards the new world. These nine exhibits, presented here today, are the product of the momentum of this undying spirit. They represent a new era of progress and innovation, while preserving the values of one of the oldest cultures in Europe, values, which were often unjustly demonized and forbidden by the communist regime. A group of professionals of different generations have come together and have successfully combined their experiences, ideas, and ideals in this endeavor to represent their country in this world stage exhibit. These zealous architects and artists appreciate that they have one of the richest historic fabrics as a background to develop and build on their new ideas. This is their Common Ground, the ground to build, to live, and to share their ideals with their people. In many different ways these projects reestablish lost connections and create new relationships with our old cultures and treasures, revitalizing these ancient structures to stand up to par with the new world. It is through this creative process that we realize our understanding of our place in history, the past, the present and what is more important, the future. Be that a house, or a museum, a castle or even a whole city, the love for our grounds is as great as the human heart can bear. With this love comes great vision and inspiration to bring these old public and private spaces to life, where people can continue to live and work, love and aspire, now and for generations to come. As these monuments have existed and served humanity for hundreds of years, they will continue to live and serve the people with their unquestionable devotion. Such is the commitment that we should give back to our cities, our homes, our monuments, castles, and our history. It is only this way that the human race can survive the dramatic changes of times, by staying true to our values, our past, and our heritage.
Albanian Pavillion
Palazzo Zorzi
Pavilion of Albania at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia
The following is the list of exhibits at the Albanian Pavilion. They include spaces of different eras, sizes, and importance. However, from a house to a museum, from a castle to a city, their value in the Albanian and world history is of equal standing, as each one represents a part of life of one or many people, their achievements, and ideals. It is the duty of the new generations to bring these once dying monuments to life and move them forward to the new world.
•Korca Project •Berati Project (UNESCO World Heritage Site) •Gjirokastra Project (UNESCO World Heritage Site) •Tirana Projects •Bashtova Project •Shkodra Project •Communist Relics •Gjiri i Panormes
Villa Themistokli Revitalization of the Acropolis of Berat Castle Reconstruction of three traditional Houses Urban Skin.
Revilatization of the grounds in the National Museum
Urban Living Room Rivitalization of the Bashtova Castle The restoration work in the historic center of Shkodra Concrete Mushrooms. Albanian’s 750.000 Inherited Bunkers Project of Submarine Tunnels
ILIR VOCI Curator of the Albanian Pavilion biennale.arch.al@gmail.com
Albanian Pavillion
Palazzo Zorzi
Pavilion of Albania at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia
OFFICAL PAVILION POSTER
Albanian Pavillion
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Pavilion of Albania at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia
ALTERNATIVE PAVILION POSTER
Albanian Pavillion
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th Pavilion of Albania at the 13 International 13째 InternationalArchitecture ArchitectureExhibition Exhibition-la Biennale di Venezia
VERTICAL BANNER Above canale San Severo on the Palazzo Zorzi Facade (84cm W x 226 cm H)
Albanian Pavillion
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th Pavilion of Albania at the 13 International 13째 InternationalArchitecture ArchitectureExhibition Exhibition-la Biennale di Venezia
HORIZONTAL BANNER In Salizada Zorzi on the Palazzo Zorzi Facade (158cm W x 118cm H)
Albanian Pavillion
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Pavilion of Albania at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia PLAN OF THE EXHIBITION ON PIANO NOBILE OF PALAZZO ZORZI
PORTO PALERMO PROJECT
Concrete Mushrooms: Elian Stefa Gyler Mydyti Niku Alex Mucaj Porto Palermo Project: Elisabetta Terragni Jeffrey T. Schnapp Daniele Ledda
The Tirana Boulevard Project: Grimshaw Architects
Artist Dritan Zajmi
THE TIRANA BOULEVARD COM
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BASHTOVA PROJECT Artist Ardian Isufi
PETITION WINNER
CODUSSI HALL
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3 4 Urban Skin: Basha + Basha
Shkodra Project: Shpresa Prifti Maksim Pengja Aida Shllaku
3 Artist Maks Velo
Korca Project: Ilir Voci Edvana Vangjeli
Bashtova Project: Eva Hoxha Dorian Tytymce, Erald Ceku
Albanian Pavillion
Gjirokaster Project: Lejla Hadzic Gearda Demiraj Kreshnik Merxhani Elena Mamani
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Artist Artan Shabani
6 Berati Project: Enejda Seraj Gjergj Bakallbashi Rezarta Pilafi
Palazzo Zorzi
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1 KORÇA PROJECT Villa Themistokli [ winner of national competition ] Arch. EDVANA VANGJELI 00 355 66 20 60 419 edvanav@gmail.com Arch. ILIR VOCI 00 355 66 20 75 100 ilirvoci@yahoo.com
Named after the early 20th century Albanian Nationalist Themistokli Gërmenji, Villa Themistokli is situated in the heart of Korça city center, across from the First Albanian School and neighboring several other historical and architectural monuments. The house was residence of the patriot Themistokli Gërmenji and home to many of his national political activities. On December 10 1916, he founded the Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korça under the protectorate of France, in order to save the city from military occupation of the foreign interests fighting in the area during World War I. For this reason, in 1963 the house was declared as a historical museum by Albanian Ministry of Culture and Historical Monuments, today it is rated as a “Museum of Culture of First Category”. Until the end of 1990’s, the building was state-owned and served as a museum where photos, documents and personal effects of Themistokli Gërmenji were exhibited. After the 1990’s, the building ownership was returned to the Gërmenji family heirs, but remained unoccupied, and as a result deteriorated lacking proper maintenance. Owner and architect Ilir Voci took occupancy of the house in 1996 and immediately started work on its restoration and reconstruction. The goal of the project was to restore the historic structure and revitalize its functionality in fitting with demands of current market and lifestyle, yet respecting and complimenting the historical and architectural values that this house brings as an individual object as well as in the overall historical fabric of the city. The project was conceived as a residential villa with an attached guesthouse, and a café/restaurant in the grounds. The building was constructed circa 1820 on top of earlier foundations. It consists of two floors with a footprint of 200 sq meters located in the middle of a 550 sq meters plot of land along the “Saint George” Boulevard.
Albanian Pavillion
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Pavilion of Albania at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia 1 The building has a square footprint oriented towards the east-west axis, designed by the simple architecture style of the city of Korça traditional houses. The handmade clay tiled roof has a four-inclination geometry. Based on dimensions and structure, the walls on the ground floor must have been built in two different periods. The walls of the earlier period are 110 cm thick, built with river stones, mud and layers of wood elements, while the rest of the walls are 75 cm thick, built with stones and lime mortar. The upper floor walls are built with bricks. The ground floor slab is concrete, while the second floor framing is constructed of wood beams and planks. The ceilings are wood framed, finished with lime mortar plaster on reed lathing. The physical condition of the building at the time of reconstructions was in dire state. Due to extensive deterioration, the second floor was partially demolished. Reconstruction began by intervening in portions of the ground floor walls, strengthening them with a perimeter band of reinforced concrete, which does not show in the façade. Where the ground floor wall had greater inclination, the engineer added two supporting structures as buttresses, which also serve as decorative elements to the building. The ground floor slab was partially reconstructed with reinforced concrete; meanwhile preserving the wood beam ceilings in existing condition. The second floor plan configuration was kept in tact, while the old walls were reinforced with new structural material, yet their finish complimented the historic look and materials. The roof was redone using locally made clay tiles to match the historic ones. An important part of the reconstruction project was the garden and courtyard, which now serves as an outdoor café restaurant filled with live entertainment in the hot summer nights. A stone wall, topped with a wrought iron fence, frames the courtyard along the street side, accompanied with high vegetation, thus providing a semi-private ambience to the courtyard. A grass lawn with decoration plants, and cobble stone pathways adorn the garden. An open-air veranda occupies the central side of the courtyard, where an open bar is built in an existing annex in the corner. The most inner and private portion of the courtyard is a partially roof covered porch. Local stone tiles are used for the roof and ground cover. The central focal point of the porch is an open fire place and oven made of mud bricks, where patrons can experience the cooking and baking of the most famous Korca “lakror” (traditional pie) cooked on top of the fire and under a hot iron lid filled with wood fire ashes. All the materials used for the reconstruction come from region of Korça, such as handmade clay bricks and roof tiles, the ground floor stone tiles; wall stones, which were recycled from old house ruins in town, the stair flag stones, which were harvested from Korça quarry, the black stone of Drenova used for the cobble stones on pathways throughout the courtyard, the buttress and the decorative wall, the grey stone slabs of Lozhani, which were used to pave the veranda, and so on. Today the building, besides being the primary residence of the architect/owner, also houses a closed warm traditional restaurant space occupied during cold winter months. Interiors of both private residence and public spaces are adorned with artifacts of Korca region. Wood frames, handmade short curtains, restored wood chairs, chests of drawers, decorative mirrors, and others traditional furniture fill in all rooms, exhibiting a long and rich history of the area. A most prominent space is dedicated to displaying material of the “Themistokli Gërmenji” museum keeping in par with the historic origin of the house. In whole, the building is a living museum, which provides a warm home to its owner and his guests, as well as a solid foundation and background of history and tradition for generations to come.
Albanian Pavillion
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Pavilion of Albania at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia KORÇA FLYERS 1
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th Pavilion of Albania at the 13 International 13째 InternationalArchitecture ArchitectureExhibition Exhibition-la Biennale di Venezia
1 BERATI PROJECTS 2
Revitalization of the Acropolis in Berat Castle
Arch. Enejda Seraj Project & People Ltd. 00355 67 27 47 731 pp.seraj@gmail.com
Arch. Gjergj Bakallbashi VIZA Architects 00355 69 26 87 604 gjergji30@gmail.com
Arch. Rezarta Pilafi Institute of Monuments of Culture, Berat 00355 69 56 16 992 rezarta-16@hotmail.com
Albanian Pavillion
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Pavilion of Albania at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia 1
Nowhere else it is the importance of proper developments more evident that in the historic quarters in the heart of the city. Starting with the Castle and proceeding to the two historic quarters on both sides of the river, they constitute of one whole context, physical as well as functional. The development plan of the city of Berat gives a special consideration to the conservation of the historic district, in order to establish a long-term program for the physical rehabilitation and revitalization of these areas. The preservation of the identity of the most valuable a sensitive parts of the Castle is considered a priority, thus to prevent improper developments. While some historic objects have been restored, many are in dire conditions and need urgent interventions to avoid further damages, in some cases, even a total collapse. At the same time their revitalization is essential to bring these most vauable parts of our cultural and architectural inheritance into the modern era as live objects. The proposed strategy consists of interventions in conserving and restoring the historic structures as well as proposing new developments within, in compliance with the historic context, material and texture.The relationship between “the old” and “the new” is a persistent theme in nowdays architecture all over the world, especially in the postwar era Europe. During these times, the architects who operate in such context find themselves in front of significant and difficult choices with a great impact into the cities’ futures. Our proposal follows a deep analysis of the many examples of similar interventions in the world, but especially in the Balkans, due to startling similarities of the history and todays issues with the Albanian context. This proposal brings up the existing structures inside the Acropolis to their original forms, and adopting them to new functions. This shall be achieved by using traditional, yet different materials from exsiting ruins, in order to differentiate the historic from the new structures at the same time compliment and create a harmonious balance with the grounds It is our belief that the Acropolis has the potential power to catalyze the economic development of the surrounding area just the same as originally intended. First proposals are based on the conviction that planning and architecture are integral part of a unique revitalization process and that economical growth and development are not incongruent with historical values. Acropolis and the castle quarters with their history and current existence are the common grounds and an irreplaceable source for the development of the whole city. The existing situation of the Acropolis is a space compiled by ancient ruins, mainly located adjacent to Acropolis surrounding walls. The most significant architectural element is the arch and barrel vault framed with stone walls adorned by stone a brick cloisonné. These vaults of different dimensions and with their impeccable structural and artisan work have a memorable view. This historic fabric is respected in its existence and serves as the physical background of the new developments. The Acropolis revitalization is summarized in the following main key ideas that formulate the different components of the proposal as a whole: •Identification of intervening areas and the main movement axis. •Incorporation of the ancient ruins and non-functional historical structures that reflects the multicultural history of the Acropolis. This shall be done in a respectful and efficient way, in order to serve the revitalization of the Castle District and strengthen the identity and pride of the community. The proposed project implies protecting the monuments, the historical buildings, and green areas by identifying the intervening forms and the level of preservation to be achieved for each zone.
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13th International Pavilion of Albania at the 13째 International Architecture Architecture Exhibition Exhibition -la Biennale di Venezia 1 BERATI FLYERS
Albanian Pavillion
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Pavilion of Albania at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia 1 GJIROKASTRA PROJECT 3
Reconstruction of three Traditional Houses Cons. Arch. Lejla Hadzic 00387 61 463 420 00355 69 40 37 087 lejla.hadzic@chwb.org www.chwb.org/regional Arch. Gearda Demiraj 00355 69 54 81 293 gearda.demiraj@chwb.org Arch. Kreshnik Merxhani 00355 69 24 06 445 kreshnik.merxhani@chwb.org Arch. Elena Mamani 00355 69 20 39 190 elena.nasto@chwb.org Dott. Federica Pompejano 0039 3491316930 federica.pompejano@gmail.com Dott. Valentina Calcagno 0039 3471131728 valentina_calcagno@libero.it
Make it yours! (Bëje tënden!) The heritage of a landscape is an essential piece of its human identity, while the society’s active engagement with it is a sign of a dynamic and evolving culture. Therefore, ‘Make it yours!’ encourages everyone, from architects and urban planners to public media, from politicians to the people, to take an active role in using, preserving and promoting this heritage. In Albanian, the phrase ‘Bëje tënden!’ captures both the idea that the people across the spectrum of the society should take personal responsibility of their place in history, and that they need to do their part to conserve and advocate in preservation of their heritage, in order to ensure that it continues to exist and be the source of pride and inspiration for generations to come. "Cultural Heritage without Borders is an independent organization, currently working in Western Balkans towards rescuing and preserving tangible and intangible cultural heritage touched by conflict, neglect or human and natural disasters. We see our work as a vital contribution to building democracy and supporting human rights" - CHwB
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13th International Pavilion of Albania at the 13째 InternationalArchitecture ArchitectureExhibition Exhibition-la Biennale di Venezia 1 GJIROKASTRA FLYERS
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th Pavilion of Albania at the 13 International 13° InternationalArchitecture ArchitectureExhibition Exhibition-la Biennale di Venezia
1 TIRANA PROJECT 4 Urban Skin
Brion Basha Technical University, Graz, Austria 00355 69 47 76 801 brion.basha@gmail.com Marvi Basha Technical University, Graz, Austria 0043 65 08 22 0870 marvibasha@hotmail.com The main goal of this Project is to revitalize the existing urban spaces in the city that have not a specific function. Our Case Study is the National Museum of History of Albania. The Project aims to revitalize the courtyard of the Museum, a space about 1500 sqm, by creating a multifunctional space for different activities. This space is created through a membrane roofing and a complex supporting structure. The project allows the revitalization of existing spaces through small interventions, which bring more advantages to the social life of the city. “Urban Skin” allows buildings of our heritage not to decay but to be part of our everyday life.
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Pavilion of Albania at the 13° International Architecture Architecture Exhibition Exhibition -13th International la Biennale di Venezia 5 TIRANA PROJECT 1
Urban Living Room
Grimshaw Architects 0044 20 72 91 4123 www.grimshaw-architects.com Neven Sidor – Partner Paolo Vimercati – Project Leader Ben Heath Adina Bisek Jessica Beagelman Costa Elia Allan Green Elyse Howell-Pryce Eric Osborne Mina Shafik
GRIMSHAW - practice biography: GRIMSHAW was founded by Sir Nicholas Grimshaw in 1980. The practice became a Partnership in 2007 and operates worldwide with offices in New York, London, Melbourne and Sydney employing over 300 staff. Our portfolio of projects covers all major sectors and includes work in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia. Our international reputation has grown through our innovative approach to design. Our work is developed from first principles; there is no imposition of a rigid house style. Specific schemes are designed for specific sites and clients, whether developers or end-users. This avoidance of a formulaic approach is evident in the wide range of building types we design, the materials we use and the forms that the buildings subsequently take. The practice is dedicated to the deepest level of involvement in the design of their buildings in order to deliver projects which meet the highest possible standards of excellence. Each project is subsequently characterised by strong conceptual legibility, innovation and a rigorous approach to detailing, all underpinned by the principles of humane, enduring and sustainable design. Tirana Boulevard Masterplan GRIMSHAW is delighted to be invited to be part of the Albania pavilion at the 13th Venice Biennale. GRIMSHAW’s masterplan for central Tirana extends the current 1930s boulevard a further 3km and establish a new 7km riverside park, rejuvenating the area around the river Tirana while building upon the city’s rich heritage. The project area covers a 14 km², around a fifth of the size of the city area, and represents a unique opportunity for a masterplan on this scale in a capital within continental Europe. GRIMSHAW proposed a robust sequence of public spaces threaded along the boulevard that responded geometrically to existing patterns of land ownership. Tirana is a Mediterranean city with an outdoor culture. Each space or ‘living room’ was presented with a different use and character; a new ‘symphony of squares’. The river park is structured around the same concept turned through 90 degrees but informed by the character of the river Tirana; a ‘young’ mountain river with a wide seasonal variation of water flow. GRIMSHAW explored the unique juxtaposition of culture and nature in the centre of the city as key elements of the urban design.
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Pavilion of Albania at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia 1 TIRANA FLYERS
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1 BASHTOVA PROJECT 6
Revitalization of the Bashtova Castle Arch. Eva Hoxha The Municipality of Tirana 00355 68 25 91 842 eva_hoxha@yahoo.it Arch. Dorian Tytymce EUROCOL 00355 67 33 83 888 dorian@apricot.al Ing. Erald Ceku Garden Line sh.p.k. 00355 69 20 90 438
Bashtova castle is positioned in a field which is basically unexploited nowdays, and only 10% of the residents of the area use to land mainly for farming. The zone even though is rich in natural historic and cultural lack a clear development strategy structure. Since the area and the castle of Bashtova do not offer any activity or carry any function, some questions can be posed : What could be the new alternative approach towards the question? Where will the new functions be introduced, in reference to the castle? Will they be positioned within or outside of the walls of the castle? The creation of the castle square and the introduction of the land-art functions 30m distant from the castle, create a centralized historic island where all economic, social-cultural and sport activities take place around it. The creation of the square enables the new archeological exchavation, to bring in light the entire 9m heigh of the castle walls, which are nowdays partially sunken underground. Doing so, the castle will regain the autentic view.
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Pavilion of Albania at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia 1 BASHTOVA FLYERS
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1 SHKODRA PROJECT 7
The restoration work in the historic center of Shkodra
Arch. Shpresa Prifti 00355 69 58 00 123 shpresaprifti@yahoo.com
Arch. Bashkim Penxha 00355 68 30 46 301
Ing. Aida Shllaku 00355 67 40 03 189 urbanistika@bashkiashkoder.gov.al
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Pavilion of Albania at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia 1 SHKODRA FLYERS
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13th International Pavilion of Albania at the 13° InternationalArchitecture ArchitectureExhibition Exhibition-la Biennale di Venezia 1 COMMUNISM RELICS 8
Concrete Mushrooms - Albania’s 750.000 Inherited Bunkers
Arch. Elian Stefa 0039 34 71 01 0272 mail@elianstefa.com
Arch. Gyler Mydyti gyler.mydyti@mail.polimi.it
Niku Alex Mucaj 0041 76 47 21 272 info@converscene.org
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Concrete Mushrooms The Concrete Mushrooms project is an autonomous territorial initiative co-founded by Elian Stefa and Gyler Mydyti in the spaces of the Politecnico di Milano with the aim of reevaluating and transforming the 750,000 abandoned bunkers of Albania, leftover from 45 years of communist dictatorship. The initiative has since become a non-profit organization promoting cultural planning and sustainable tourism, by raising awareness at a local and international level of the bunkers and their impact. 1. The confrontation of the bunker as symbol of xenophobia with deliberate awareness for the purpose of inverting its meaning into a symbol of hospitality. 2. The preservation of a memoir from a significant period of the Albanian history. 3. The recognition of the bunkers as a resource instead of as a burden. 4. The promotion of a sustainable eco-touristic sector in Albania.
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Pavilion of Albania at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia 1 CONCRETE MUSHROOMS FLYERS
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Pavilion of Albania at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia 9 PORTO PALERMO PROJECT 1 1 Submarine Tunnels It is “museum” in as much as it preserves a site of historic value, complete with its infrastructure and material remains (machines, armaments, and the like). We have chosen to designate it neither as a monument nor a museum, but instead as a panorama, a Panorama of the Cold War, to be precise, because it provides less an object centered experience of Cold War relics than an experience of immersion in a buried world. The word “panorama” evokes the Albanian name of the bay: Gjiri I Panormes. It also evokes the 19th century tradition of developing immersive/imaginative 360° reconstructions of major moments in military history and building structures to house such reconstructions. (Celebrated examples that have survived to this day include Louis Dumoulin’s Panorame de la bataille de Waterloo, located in Braine L’Alleud, Belgium, and the Cyclorama of the Battle of Atlanta, painted by a team of German artists in the mid 1880s and currently housed at the Atlanta Civil War Museum.) Like the panoramas of yore lined with large panels, hauntingly illuminated, and accessed via a dark narrow passageway, the tunnel/panorama at Gjiri i Panormes provides an overall vision of a period that has left an indelible imprint upon contemporary Albania and the world.
PORTO PALERMO FLYERS
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Maks Velo ARCHITECT / ARTIST DRAWINGS
00355 69 25 73 397 info@maksvelo.com
Dritan Zajmi ARTIST BUNKER SKY
0041 79 35 91 424 dritan.zajmi@gmail.com
Albanian Pavillion
Palazzo Zorzi
Pavilion of Albania at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia 1
Artan Shabani ARTIST ART PIECE artan.shabani@gmail.com www.thepromenadegallery.org
Ardian Isufi ARTIST ART PIECE 00355 68 20 76 357 ardianisufiart@gmail.com
Albanian Pavillion
Palazzo Zorzi
PALAZZO ZORZI
29 AUG - 25 NOV 2012 MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:30AM - 5:30PM
e-mail: biennale.arch.al@gmail.com www.biennale.arch.al