Following an international competition, Steven Holl Architects was selected to design the exhibition center and hotel for the Tirana World Expo in Albania. The winning team includes Steven Holl Architects, artist Agnieszka Kurant, Atelier 4, Atelier Markgraph, Stoss, and Arup. Their innovative approach involved collecting signatures from local Tirana communities and transforming these into a continuous walking line, inspired by Agnieszka Kurant’s “Signature End” project.
The collaboration with Agnieszka Kurant helped shape the project’s distinctive identity, with the architecture defined by rhythmic, iconic lines. This form also influenced the design of the CLT roof trusses, which take full advantage of the engineered wood’s unique structural properties.
The project comprises two main buildings: a large exhibition center and a hotel, both featuring supporting amenities. The exhibition center’s exterior is characterized by a linear design, while the hotel’s facade displays subtler, curved forms that echo the exhibition center’s shape on the plan rather than the elevation. Between these two structures lies a sizable rainwater harvesting reflective pool, mirroring the buildings and enhancing the landscape.
The design adheres to high ecological standards throughout. The development employs geothermal heating and cooling systems, while white solar tiles generate renewable energy. Skylights bring natural light into the interiors and can be darkened during events to accommodate different activities. Additionally, the soil excavated during construction will be repurposed to create earth mounds serving as acoustic buffers, helping to restore the natural landscape.
Steven Holl Architects recently revealed their design for the Student Performing Arts Center at the University of Pennsylvania. This new facility will offer flexible, dedicated spaces for a variety of performing arts groups on campus. The firm also presented plans for the Greater Sassau region in Abruzzo, Italy—a project aimed at promoting tourism and hiking in the Italian mountains.
Project Drawings
△ Hand-drawn drawing
△ Hand-drawn drawing
△ Hand-drawn drawing
△ Hand-drawn drawing
△ Hand-drawn drawing
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