Valerio Olgiati Brings Towering Forms And Garden Ziggurat To Tirana, Albania

In Tirana, Albania, Swiss architect Valerio Olgiati plans to unveil Rruga Adem Jashari, a mixed-use development that seeks to integrate urban living with its surrounding landscape. Positioned at the edge of the city grid and adjacent to a park, the project introduces three distinctive red concrete towers and a white ziggurat centerpiece, combining residential, hospitality, and retail spaces. Construction is expected to start in the fall of 2025. 

the white ziggurat centerpiece | all images © Archive Olgiati

Situated at the boundary between Tirana’s urban core and a neighboring park, the Rruga Adem Jashari project capitalizes on its transitional location. The design by Valerio Olgiati features an open plaza at its base that extends across the street to connect the city grid with the natural landscape. Pine trees line the plaza, softening the boundary and creating a visual and physical link between the two environments.

The Swiss architect’s concept draws from the idea of stacking blocks to create monumental structures. Three towers rise from a shared red concrete base, their facades dominated by exposed structural pillars that highlight the forces at play within the building. These pillars follow a precise logic, giving the towers a distinct, sculptural appearance as they align with the urban grid.

the towers’ red pigmented concrete gives them an earthy tone

Between the towers, a stepped ziggurat provides a contrasting form and color. Constructed in white concrete, the ziggurat serves as a centerpiece for the development, featuring terraces planted with pine trees to create a layered, garden-like appearance. Beyond its visual impact, it houses retail spaces and connects the plaza with the underground levels. The towers’ red pigmented concrete gives them an earthy tone that appears to emerge naturally from the site. In contrast, the white ziggurat introduces a conceptual element that stands apart, reflecting a more abstract and sculptural intention within the development.

The towers are designed with flexibility in mind. The structural layout allows for adaptable floor plans, accommodating a range of uses for apartments and hotel suites. Meanwhile, the ziggurat includes retail spaces that extend underground, maximizing the use of the site for both public and private functions.

the project introduces three distinctive red concrete towers