Mix|C|ity

Competition: Transformations that matter

Location: Tirana, Albania

Team: Prisca Arosio, Caroline Urberger

Organizer: TAW 2016 (Tirana Architecture Week), Albanian Ministry of Culture

program: requalification of public space and streets with new functions such as cultural center, small shops and community garden

2016

Starting the analysis from a large scale we observe the diverse urban grid of the city. This is our starting point; the grid of the city. The parameters for the grid size are the buildings scales, streets scales and urban density. We represent this concept through the use of patterns.

We examine that in the city of Tirana there are mainly three levels of Urban Fabric. 

The project site is located in between the medium and small scale grid. We read the site as a collection of Tirana patterns. In our design process that heterogeneity of the urban fabric is considered as a quality to be underlined. We can find four typologies of the city inside of the plot: block, linear block, independent house and agglomerate.

Moreover, the plot is close to the city center and around it there are university facilities, embassies and housing blocks. The site is a junction between all of these functions.

Therefore, we emphasize the features of the urban typologies through an architectural and functional requalification. The project proposes the renovation of buildings with new activities such as cultural center, small shops and community garden.

By creating more public spaces we enhance the connection between university, city center and residential area. The aim is to give life to a meeting point, where people from different ages and backgrounds can interact.

The sidewalk links the four typologies and functions on the pedestrian level, as well as making the crossing safer. Furthermore, a small square is added providing outside space, like terraces, to local activities. 

The project is seen as a starting point for a bigger scale development.

Our proposal is an answer for this specific context but the strategy could spread out all over residential districts and make the city more liveable and connected.