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January 28, 2019 In

Hybrid Student City

Our entry on International competition “Student City” organized by Atelier Albania/ AKPT

Our strategy

Our proposal for the Student’s City Campus consists on the hybridization strategy, which is a redefinition of all the functions of the campus. The hybridization strategy will contribute on the addition of new necessary programs and the creation of mix typologies that will enrich the quality of life and spatial conditions. Having a hybrid building means to offer a typology that can host students and the locals that occupy all the surroundings of the city of students. In such a way we create a city within a city, where locals and students create the community and where students characterize the new society. The principal challenge of the master plan is to redefine undeveloped areas, to structure the existing spatial conditions, to propose new dormitory areas and such a way augmenting the number of students during one academic year. Reactivating bypassed areas and contributing with a complex of functions, are two important challenges we tackle. We aimed on creating a campus where students will find every necessity they need and in relation to their financial conditions. We believe in the potential that mixed used buildings have on the better development of social life. In terms of restoration and re-qualification, the challenge was to deal with a very old degraded construction, and with the partial change of some typologies.

Our approach consists on some specific points:

Experimental approach that lies in the fact that this project will bring different and maybe new solutions to what is being proposed nowadays in our reality. Questions concerning about what is experimental, how can we transform it into a paradigm, and what will this approach bring to

The “bottom-up” approach, where modernist-planning mechanisms will not make changes and decision. Understanding cities complexity was suggested by authors such as Jane Jacobs (1961) and Christopher Alexander, through their arguments against the mechanistic of ‘top‐down’ scope of Modernist planning propositions, which suggest that the design is able to set, control and limit potential functions.

In contrast, Jacobs suggested[1] that the problem that cities constitute should be addressed through inductive thinking and ‘thinking of’ processes. This implies a consideration of city organization as a complex field where multiple variables are “interrelated into an organic whole”.

Secondly, the idea of space syntax treatment[2], where the space is not just a backdrop for human activities. Space also takes form social context, but also gives form to this context. In this way, space and context are reflected into each other.

The general idea is that spaces can be divided into components, introduced as networks of choices and then represented as maps as graphs that describe the relative connectivity of those spaces

Change as a matrix.

Sometimes change may seem unpredictable, sometimes even chaotic, but if you can try to predict some changes that people usually do inside their living environments, later on you can use these types of changes as matrices that will condition every design process.

Flexibility in housing.

“Nowadays, average nuclear family continues to decline, but spaces still designed according to its needs. So, we need flexible types that make it possible to react to changing life circumstances by simple means.”[3]

Flexibility seems as something positive, but without forgetting opposite thoughts about this issue, we have to balance both negative and positive characteristics. The most important thing is to study the needs for flexibility in the Albanian context and to adapt the apartment scheme according to this reality.

HIGH DENSITY HOUSING

Collective housing architecture is one of the biggest protagonists of everyday architecture in the last century, period in which all the normative, formal and esthetic collections were established. This new typology was developed as a result of an enormous lack for accommodation after the migrant population reached the cities after the Great Wars in Europe. The huge demand for dwelling units required an economic and fast solution. Solution was a uniform building made by standardized components and subsystems. Final result was the thousands of hundreds of dwelling units that couldn’t be transformed and adapted according to different requirements for changes during the time. The first impact was really hard, because for the first time they had to deal with standardization, uniform, stiffness and sometimes even hygienic and dimensional problems.

High-density housing often creates social problems due to the lack of social interaction, anonymity of their inhospitable access environments and failure to provide adequate connection to outdoor space.

“High-density housing remains an anonymous field because the future users are rarely known. This is a contradiction to the thesis that the best results are achieved if the building is tailored to the individual needs of the inhabitants.” [4]

We need to know how housing needs and other issues of the housing system, such as household numbers and types, are likely to evolve in the medium term, and how they will be affected by changing in economic, market and other conditions. Extending housing options for families in our city, keeps the community vibrant.

Besides all these problems, we can still provide living space with single home qualities by:

-noise protection,

-flexible completion options,

-patios or yards,

-separated entrances,

-latest in technology

-privacy,

-elements that are thought to give “freedom and comfort”

HIGH DENSITY OPTIONS: HYBRID VS SOCIAL CONDENSER

Based on soviet constructivist theories (mainly Moisei Ginzburg and Ignaty Milinis), the social condenser is a type of high-density building that suggests social behavior to its habitants. Its goal was to create public spaces located within the building that would behave like social hierarchy breakers.

Overlapping and layering programs within space through the usage of circulation created all this. Shared circulation areas would serve also as zones with different usages. Being located within the circulation paths, the intention was to stimulate social interaction.

A social condenser is a:

“Programatic layering upon vacant terrain to encourage dynamic coexistence of activities and to generate through their interference, unprecedented events.”

Ginzburg stated in late 1927 that the greatest task of the architect was to create “the social condensers of his epoch. These would serve spatial repositories for the forms of the new life.”

The first experimental dwellings designed for mass production would in the end prove disappointing, but Ginzburg still upheld the importance of industrializing construction in order to solve society’s housing crisis.

One of the buildings associated with the idea is the Narkomfin Building in Moscow (1928-1932) Political events had a huge impact upon the Narkomfin .The ambitions to be the architectural engine of social reform in Russia were so radical that they were abandoned almost as soon as the building was complete.

But there are also other examples such as Unite d’Habitation, the Gallatarese Complex in Milan, Park Hill in London etc.

But what are hybrid buildings?

Hybrid buildings are complex buildings that are not based on remnants of previous mixed typologies, fixed hoping to correlate with each other. They are a new being with a unifying personality that does not reflect any previous model or typology. They are celebrations of diversity, choice, and complexity, variety of programs and to the individual creation of the architect.

It works as a building with multiple skills, combining different functions into one where it feeds on the cross of public and private sphere.

The hybrid building is permeable from the city 24 hours, allowing also its habitants to use every function every time during the day/night timetable. This means that activities are constants and are not restricted by public/private rhythms. It is the creation of a new use building, a full time one.

If we want to describe these types of building by their form or appearance, we can say that they try not to respect the generic building principles of being united into one solid mass.

They function as a habitat created to change, in order to adapt with every programmatic and functional change. There are different examples from nowadays, but also some older ones such as: Torre Velasca, Ihme Zentrum etc.

If we can briefly compare the two types:

Hybrid building

Diversity of uses, including residential
Different initiatives
Insertion adapted to the urban fabric
Public uses

Social Condenser

Residential building with a service program associated to the dwellings
Public initiative
Isolated location in the urban fabric
Exclusive use of the service program by residents

As we see, hybrids are buildings that suit better the nowadays-urban conditions, giving to residents a rich program, but also fitting perfectly into the urban pattern of the city.

Being complex, they allow creativity and original solutions in the composition of the whole as part of a greater complex system, where nothing is predetermined. Typology is not anymore part of a prearranged scheme, but diversity in volumes prevails over tradition and approved practices.

It condenses the functions, but gives freedom to form.

Our aim is to disassemble and reconfigure known configurations into a new proposal that will be inserted into the Student’s City with certain rules that correlate with the existing spaces and buildings.

FLEXIBILITY AS A TOOL FOR REVITALIZATION

The word flexible is derived from the Latin word “flectere” which means bend, curve or bow. The Webster Dictionary describes it as: “capability to adapt to new, different or changing requirements.”

Flexible housing is defined in two ways: as housing that is designed for choice at the design stage, both in terms of social use and construction, or designed for change over its lifetime.

The tendency to design buildings that only correspond to a specific type of household at a specific point in time reflects a way of thinking that is predicated on short-term economics.[5

Families have indeed changed behavior and size and the services that they require are in rapid evolution. Every day we face new family typologies that constantly have different needs. It is no longer necessary to build series of standard houses but flexible homes genetically engineered where everything is different as so are its inhabitants. This means thinking about a residential space easily adaptable to changes over time and to different lifestyles and that allows changeable uses thanks to a higher flexibility.

It is very interested to see that flexibility is not a nowadays concept, but architects thought about this issue a long time ago. It was one of the topics discussed during CIAM meting in 1929, where the CIAM Congress was given the theme “the Minimum Subsistence Dwelling” the focus being on design solutions to the problem of high rents for low wage earners.

Also Mies van der Rohe has his own statement: “The constantly growing diversity of our housing needs, on the other hand, demands great flexibility in the use of the accommodation. (…) If the architect limits himself to treating the kitchen and the bathroom as constants, because of their plumbing, while partitioning the remaining living area with movable walls, I believe that by these means it is possible to satisfy every reasonable dwelling need.”

According to different authors and researchers, we have different classifications of flexibility:

Schneider and Till in Flexible Housing divide flexibility in 2 main types:

-SOFT Flexibility: “Refers to tactics which allow certain in determinacy. It allows the user to adapt the plan according to their needs, the designer effectively working in the background.”

-HARD Flexibility: “Refers to elements that more specifically determine the way that the design may be used. The designer works in the foreground, determining how spaces can be used over time”

“The design of the dormitory must be “an open process. “Open in the sense of offering continuous interaction with the different spheres of reality, also open in the sense to offer themselves a dialogue and debate that continues between the different participants in the process.

Floor plans must respond to shift in household configurations, changes in family (changing social conditions) Flexible apartments required where most rooms are usage neutral in-neutral space at entrance (guest room, study, additional bedroom). This means thinking beyond the classical way, or in other terms as to imagine the buildings as Platonic solids, Newtonian physics and Aristotelian categories. Flexibility lies also in having a room that can be furnished into different types of spaces.

The end product should be a model, which is relatively easy to use to test a wide range of scenarios.

ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES

FINANCIAL ARGUMENTS

“Whether flexibility is more expensive is difficult to measure.” But it eliminates old house’s maintenance for selling and new house’s buying.

DEMOGRAPHICS

“Treating housing as a static commodity with fixed design parameters, face problems because it arrives into a world of changing demographics.”

INTERNAL DYNAMICS

“Housing has to be flexible enough to deal with two conditions: the changing needs of individuals as they grow old or less physically able; and the changing constitution of a family as it grows and then contracts.”

OBSOLESCENCE

If housing is not able to respond to change, it becomes at best unsatisfactory, at worst, obsolescent.

USER

“The user acquires the ability to customize, the designs become adaptable, the flexible design enables users to make adjustments on their own terms..”

SUSTAINABILITY

“By acknowledging change as an underlying parameter but accepting the level and extent of change as unknown, flexible housing is inherently sustainable.”

SENSE OF BELONGING

“The awareness that a house can be

Transformed overnight may be disorienting.

It requires that dwellers change the way they think about their homes and the way that architects and builders think about their jobs.”[6]

UNNECESARY FLEXIBILITY

Spend unnecessary money that will never be used.

IMPOSSIBILITY OF ANTICIPATION

Nearly impossible to anticipate the user’s changes.

COMMON SPACES – THE CONCEPT OF INTRICACY

Speaking of hybrid buildings and freedom to readapt the living space, we cannot forget to mention the importance of common spaces in these types of complex buildings.

The hybrid is a conglomeration of public and private, where public sometimes prevails and dominates over the private parts.

We explained that in these types of buildings change serves as a matrix and this includes also common spaces.

Settlements that are marketed under the heading as ‘communicative housing’ tend to attract people with a ‘sociable predisposition’. They may expect to find neighbors open to interact with.

Social interaction in a neighborhood is very important for the development of a sustainable society. It develops where spatial characteristics support social interaction between neighbors.

The residential area has certain spatial characteristics that influence or even determine the content and form of the interactions (Kruse, 1974).

One can distinguish spaces that enhance interaction and communal actions from those that inhibit these cohesions.

There are different ways to create spaces that offer the opportunity for chance meetings and for interaction within the neighborhood, but mostly within the buildings.

– Restricting the number of dwellings in a block. Population size and density influence social interaction (Fisher et al., 1977). The size of a neighborhood should be manageable since large groups foster anonymity (Gehl, 1987);

If a certain number of dwellings are exceeded, dwellers just loose oversight as to who is occupant and who is not. The number of dwellings sharing one entrance mediates this factor. The entrances divide the residential population into subgroups, thus increasing clarity.

– Restricting the number of floors. Living high up in a building can result in a loss of contact with the ground floor: the area around the building is reduced to a transit zone, used only for coming and going.

– The ‘orientation’ of dwellings through front, side, and back doors may be outward or inward (AbuGhazzeh, 1999), i.e. the dwelling may open to the garden or a street, or may give the passer-by a feeling of inaccessibility. Which degree of openness or closure is beneficial for social cohesion is hard to say, and has to be considered in combination with the aspect ‘constellation’. It is assumed that dwellings that are orientated toward each other, further social cohesion more strongly than terraced housing, for example.

– Allowing room for play (Gehl, 1987)[7].

– Privatization of the green spaces into allotment gardens.

– Letting paths that residents use for daily activities cross, for example to the bus stop or to service units such as garbage cans (Abu-Ghazzeh, 1999).

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

A deep reflection of the long research on typologies is presented in every solution given to the architecture of the project. Flexibility, hybridity, multi-programs, communicative architecture, new physical typology, etc. are some of the words that could define what this project represents.

It tends to challenge conventional typologies, use innovative approaches in design and create new economic relations.

The whole building works as a mini city, but not in a social condenser type of behavior, more like a hybrid, that does not reflect a previous model, especially for the Albanian society.

Located in a place that the typology and function is strictly defined, the project is aiming on introducing also new behaviors, new lifestyles and new mentalities.

As a hybrid, it tends to merge with its urban pattern and its surroundings, avoiding strong limits and creating every day an inviting space for everyone.

It looks like a participatory project, where the students can decide a lot of things, but every decision is somehow conditioned by the program’s choices. Modules are predefined, extensions are predicted and common spaces are located in strategic places.

Commonly, housing projects are categorized into different typologies according to the number of habitants, circulation, number of floors etc. such as individual house, linear blocks, vertical towers etc.

What happens if we can mix together the positive aspects and benefits of each typology?

Some of the typologies are analyzed for some basic criteria: Privacy, public space, cost and efficiency.

Combining a few of the positive elements of the different typologies, we create a new typology, a hybrid one that takes every benefit from its components.

The new building becomes a complex system that tends to make diversity a tool for choices, a new entity with a unifying personality that does not reflect any previous model or typology, a building with multiple skills, combining different functions into one where it feeds on the cross of public and private sphere.

After combining typologies in form, flows and circulation allow that the transition from one part to the other is not even noticed, creating a being that works as an entire, even if it is created from different pre-conceived pieces.

Multi-programs

The programmatic indeterminacy is the process by which you can define an “open” project in which there is a diversified definition of the inhabited space from the increased multi-functionality and versatility of the areas of use. In the design of the project, diversity should prevail as a matrix, able to favor the coexistence of different types and multiple programs within mechanisms and structures.

The building works as a hybrid:

Diversity should affect the spatial aggregation not only in the horizontal plane but also on the vertical axis, not just residential but also “multi-programmatic” introduced in the design by the study of complex sections.

What usually happens nowadays in our cities and buildings is the fact that all the functions are gathered in the first floors, serving not just the inhabitants but also the casual passengers in the street. This makes a clear separation between the diversity of services provided at the bottom and the mono-functionality of housing at the top levels.

What if every floor has mixed functions and every time you go outside your room you find yourself with the same life rhythm, green spaces and functions as the first floor?

In every level we have not just a mix of different functions, but also different types of privacy. Usually buildings, especially housing ones have e very defined level of privacy: we can find a privacy gradient starting from private spaces in the first levels going up to the ones that are totally private. In this building everything messes up by combining different levels in the same floor.

All the functions are divided into: profitable ones, non-profitable and indeterminate spaces.

Profitable functions include some services like coffee shop, restaurant, medical office, different shops etc.

Non-profitable functions are generally the ones that are used by the habitants and by other visitors without paying for their usage. This includes Wi-Fi spaces, table games, cinema, library, gym and sports etc.

Indeterminate spaces are the ones that are functionally neutral; this means that they are spaces that serve the needs of the habitants: if you have some party or a special occasion; if you want to use this space for studying or doing your architectural model, you can use this kind of spaces that change over time and needs.

After defining all the different types of functions and the multi-programmatic approach to the building, the next step is to locate every function according to the accessibility, frequency of usage, common users etc.

The table shows the distribution of users into the apartments, in different parts of the building and the frequency of usage for every family typology. Student frequently uses some functions, while more large family typologies with children need different types of functions.

Support & infill / Modularity

Structural modules can be connected to form one residential unit. These units can then be arranged along a linear corridor or multiple-loaded interior stairwells. Studying all the flexible examples of housing, modularity come as a natural way to deal with change and transformations.

Modules 2,25m x 2,25m, good dimensions for different functions, compose the entire building. We can use half module for corridors, services etc. and double it or multiply it for rooms, public functions, open spaces etc.

Modularity is also helping in the structural aspect of the building, in a way that any change in the interior parts does not affect or is not affected by the structural grid.

Apartments are also divided into different modules, according to the family type or lifestyle. The smallest apartment is 10 square meters, just for one person, and the largest arrives up to 160 m2 for large families or as a form of individual villas.

Circulation

Circulation is one of the fundamental parts of the project.

The equation given by M.M. and exemplified maximally in the studies of Alexander Klein, states that the best space possible is the one that has:

Minimization of movement

+ no overlap of paths

+ programming in relation of the natural and productive phases of the day

+ dematerialization

+ flow

+ overlapping events

= Space that does not disrupt the body

In this project, circulation plays the role of a catalyst for social interactions. Everything is placed along the paths and, as described in the case of the social condenser, the overlap of the different functions with circulation creates areas of public usage. The building is equipped with large corridors that serve both as a passing space, but also as public space with sitting elements, different functions and green.

The building is complex and you can risk easily transforming it into a labyrinth where people cannot find their own home. This is why we have a hierarchy of circulation:

-Vertical circulation: elevators are distributed every 20-30 m and spread the fluxes throughout every angle of the building.

-Vertical stairs: they are called vertical stairs because they are used just for internal circulation within a particular part of the building and have no other function.

– Horizontal (Diffused) stairs: are connective elements between two different levels of the building, but that allow a smoother spread of the fluxes and a better connection and communication between different parts. These spaces are transformed into public plazas and are distributed along the building in a way to create a flowing space that connects every part.

One will have different options to reach the destination, avoiding this way confusion, perplexity and disorientation in movement.

On the other side if we refer to the existing buildings and the restoration process, we intervene partially to each of them, with different strategies. In the typology of the dormitories where the stairs are the central hub, we add emergency stairs on the lateral areas, such a way we offer higher quality in terms of regulations and access. One important example and interesting typology is the one where we change almost all the access diagram. The dormitories that have a linear corridor in the central part we change them into a circular type of access. This change first of all consists on the utilization of the previous corridor as a space where a small kitchen and toilet can be included, and both rooms from each side can have the extra function inside. Though to bring access to this new typology, we add a circular balcony-corridor, which in itself is as well a new façade for the dormitory.

Access hubs do relate as well with the location of the new added functions. Mainly the staircases are located within the dormitory area and the facilities area. This composition offers direct access for both utilizers of the space. In a more complex and intervened dormitory typology we have the maximum of three access points from which one student can access to the rooms and to the studying and recreation area.

Facades

Façade vary from one building to the other, as long as the existing typologies are different. But still besides this variation we aim to generalize the architectural language throughout the approach of a more contemporary minimal approach. We propose as a first step the restoration of the existing facades and the utilization of monochromatic colors from white ones to soft light grays. On the other hand for the part where we intervene with the addition of new functions and the construction of a whole new structure, we develop the logic of having a lot of glass modules, and movable brie-solei that make the façade changeable and transparent. The variation of these modules and the intelligent utilization of this strategy will give a new identity to the whole site.

For our proposal of new development, having a building that works as a mini-city, the best choice was to use different patterns for the facades, in order to differentiate the complex parts of the building. This way, orientation throughout the building is made a lot easier. In the inner parts of the courtyards, colors are used to create different identities of the mini blocks, just how neighborhoods work in real scale cities. Transparency is used as a tool to create different configurations of the façade: somewhere we can find totally transparent openings, in other parts this openings become more opaque. The presence of the net (perforated material) can be found again in the new typology. The net has both functions as brie-solei in some parts, but it is also used to create a gradient of intimacy in the relation indoor-outdoor.

Challenges

How to increase the quality of life for the students?

How to increase the capacity for accommodation?

How to define a strategy for efficiency in communication, comfort and usability?

How to redevelop the existing dormitories?

How to create a city within a city?

How to enrich the potential of the whole campus?

CONCEPT

On achieving all the necessary requirements to reach our aim on realizing a hybridization of the Student’s City, we applied an acupunctural intervention. We collected all the necessary functions and programs that were missing inside the city and in the surroundings, and spread them as small interventions in the existing buildings. The strategy of having a city for the students, but not only, was a dare idea to introduce a new type of dormitory, where flexibility is the key concept. We implement various possibilities in terms of spatial utilization of the space and maximum usability. We experiment by creating a new hybrid neighborhood, where portions of the buildings create a whole, complement one another and function together. The inclusion of the outdoor in the indoor is as well an important element, from which we get more relaxing and recreating spaces.

The implementation

The first phase is the most urgent one, the reconstruction of the existing buildings. The reconstruction will include the addition of the Add-ons and the restoration of the existing dormitories. Even this phase in itself can be divided in sub-steps, which may include the intervention into different blocks of dormitories in different periods of time.

The second phase would be the intervention into the infrastructure of the Student’s City. The construction of the new plaza and the addition of the new artistic center and sport area would be the main elements of the phase.

The third phase would be the construction of the new development area. The whole block may be developed in the same time together, as long as the site location it is actually not used.

The forth phase would be the addition of the new dormitories in the areas in-between the old dormitories. This phase will include as well the urban definition of the surroundings.

This fifth phase will include the new development of the northern part of Student’s City. It will be dedicated to the construction of three new other hybrid dormitories and the development of a new artistic area, mediatheque, recreation centers, expo center that will elaborate in relation to the central library and art center.

[1] Jacobs Jane, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Modern Library (1961) pg.428-448

[2] Hillier Ben, Space is a machine

[3] Christian Schittich, The Challenge of High-Density Housing, Bern, 2000

[4] Christian Schittich “The Challenge of High-Density Housing”

[5]Schneider Tatjana, Flexible housing: opportunities and limits

[7] Jan Gehl , Cities for People

December 16, 2018 In

soupreme court and school of magistrate

TEAM COMPOSITION
International Team
ALN | ARCHITEKTURBÜROLEINHÄUPL + NEUBER GMBH
Markus Neuber architect& civil engineering
Paul Rapp civil engineering &cost estimator
Katharina Riedl andscape architect
Valentina Damian architect& urban designer
Klaus Köstler architect& urban designer
Peter Naumburg architect & Fire protection planner
Petrit Pasha architect& urban designerStefano Baldon architect& urban designer
Stefania Di Pisa architect& energy consultant
Local Team
STUDIOARCH4
Gjergji Dushniku architect& urban designer
Klaudjo Cari architect& urban designer
Rezart Struga architect& urban designer
Lorin Cekrezi architect& urban designer
Arnisa Kryeziu architect& heritage specialist
Renis Batalli architect& urban designer
Felissia Veliu architect& urban designer
Samaela Lala architect& urban designer

INTRODUCTION

Among public buildings, courthouse facilities represent a unique and interesting building type: on one hand, for a large portion of the society they present a point of contact with the government, especially the judicial system, and as such, in the eyes of the public, courthouse facilities have a great symbolic value where they represents justice, fairness, and equality among members of the society, which means that the architecture and design of courthouse buildings is charged with meaning and symbolic values.
Accordingly, courthouse buildings have varying architectural styles depending on the subjective interpretation of the designer/s of the aesthetics associated with the values mentioned above as well as the aesthetics of the community for which the courthouse is being designed for and the judicial staff that is involved in the design process.
On the other hand, courthouses facilities adhere to a strong and explicit functional program that maintains certain relations and rules; typically conceived and designed as “sorting machines”, courthouses exhibit very clear and distinct patterns of circulation as well as clearly defined functional zones and spaces associated with these circulation networks.
Thus, courthouse facilities are “strong program” buildings i.e. “buildings where most of what happens is specified by explicit or tacit rules, and built into the spatial structure of the building.” (Hillier, Hanson & Peponis, 1984, p. 69). Furthermore, Hillier (1996) noted that buildings of a culturally defined functional type e.g. courthouses in specific time and space tend to have common spatial properties in the way different functions are spatialized.
Accordingly, it can be argued that despite the fact courthouse facilities vary to a great extent in their size, complexity, form and configuration, and architectural style, that underlying the designs of many contemporary courthouse facilities, there are well formulated functional1 structures and patterns that have a formal configuration especially in the design of courtroom floors that are shared among a population of courthouses, and that there is a finite set of these functional structures/patterns that underlie the design of many courtroom floor in courthouse buildings.

WHAT IS THE SUPREME COURT? HISTORICAL BACKGRUOND
The Supreme Court, based in Tirana, is the highest judicial authority in the Republic of Albania. Its main mission is to examine the request of the parties, the decisions of the courts of lower instances. It is important in the design of the building to understand how the Supreme Court is organized and which are its functions. The Supreme Court is represented by its chairman , who is assisted by counselors and support staff.
The Supreme Court is held in two Colleges (criminal and civil), who try appeals for judicial matters according to the rules laid down in the Code of Civil Procedure and the Code of Criminal Procedure. Besides trial Colleges (criminal and civil), the Supreme Court judges are part of the United Colleges, which means that the panel of judges composed of all judges of both Chambers. Judges of the High Court are supported by their legal aid. They can have up to two such, who select themselves among lawyers who meet the legal requirements to be named a judge of the Court of First Instance or the Court of Appeal.

THEORITICAL APPROACH
Access, transparency, exposure, clarity of organization, lighting, and inclusion are
six different ways, which have been used by Architects in creating new courts.
Design strategies related to public entry point and the facade can be observed in comparison
with other strategies range. More specifically, articulation entry, entry-glance, and the
creation of inviting entry, along with ensuring transparency inside-out, are the most frequently
used strategies.
Other groupings include internal strategies (organizational clarity, illumination and inclusion as transparency), and external strategies (exposure, transparency). Interaction strategies also need to be defined and well-developed. For example, discussions on the articulation of entry are very detailed and specific. There are many references to a central atrium space or functional separation serving as agents of the organization.
The same can be said about the lighting and in a lesser extent for inclusion.
Overall, cooperation strategies should be defined and well-developed compared with the
strategies of internal or external. More specifically, all three interpretations of transparency and entry strategies related to design (articulation of entry, the entry visible and inviting entrance) seems to be in the details.
Reducing the impact of imposing security at ports of entry is probably easier.
Safety affects the provision of numerous traffic. The design of the court building is in the
design flow, where public employee’s roads are allocated for security reasons. Design of
multiple rotations to the public in such a scenario probably proves to be a very challenging
task.
Cof public officials / social and celebrations in a security situation could prove to
be a major area of conflict. Only an internal strategy that seems to have less conflict, is
in the field of transparency as lighting. So it appears that some strategies that are more
developed and detailed, are where designers experience a relatively conflict-free environment
decision. Less implemented strategy should be those who experience conflict
with security or economic considerations. In contemporary architecture, one will witness a
growing focus on cooperation strategies,
and in a lesser extent in the interior and external strategies to the courthouse.
Design of access points, inviting the public, extended the area with glass facade and roofs, will probably constitute the main point of departure from the designs of the previous courthouses.
Due to social, political, economic and technological factors , public areas has been changing. Public and governmental buildings are going through changes, to maintain the level of interaction of the elected government of a democratic society. Opening a relatively new construct, should represent the great momentum that difference.
Connectivity between spaces is a fundamental property of Court buildings and
thus plays a key role in functionality and working properly the court system. We draw a distinction between visual connections, and paths that connect the physical movement of persons. Visual connections are necessary for orientation, and for creating a coherent picture of a building setting. Nevertheless, because they do not always coincide with paths and roads. The interdependence between visual connections and paths is highly complex, and will be treated in building with unity.
Supreme Court hast to work properly between Public and semi-Public space, the itself
cases and the story behind the idea of justice has to be open and clear in front of society
– the border between the inside and outside has to be invisible. Same rules have to
be implemented also for interior spaces in order to have proper connectivity and smooth
movement.

TYPOLOGIES STUDY

In the case of many institutional buildings, such as courts, program and functional requirements represent the basic elements that will influence the spatial layout of the building and in its final form. Thus, a way to study the courts is to identify functional structures in judicial floors, which will affect the shape and layout of the court through the development of an analytical typology.
The purpose of the analysis is to identify these functional structures that underlie the contemporary design in many courts, and their spatial implications and, through this, to derive conclusions about the similarities and commonalities between them, and to place them as functional prototypes.
This research is based on functional structures, based on which it is concluded that should be analyzed two main floors prototypes court type. These can be identified by their geometric configuration, central and linear. This based on the functional structures that are found.
The purpose of the analytical typology is not to reproduce existing buildings, but to identify the key components or elements of buildings, and describe these together in an overall composition. Typology in the case of this research is based on practical and functional considerations and not in a formal, although they are closely related.
In order to approach the functioning of the court more, we should understand it as organized
functional system. This understanding is best done through charts and diagrams, which explicitly present the court functions and their relationships. After analyzing the different floors plans, they can be grouped into two main first prototypes by their configuration. The essential difference between these two prototypes depends on the location of public space, ie. whether it is centralized between courtrooms and accessed from both sides, or if it is located on the outskirts of configuration and access to courtrooms are only one side of the public space.

A. Central typologies
In this prototype, the courtroom floor has a central public space in courtrooms on either side of the central space and limited areas, or private, in the suburbs. In this prototype, public circulation is concentrated in the center of a rectangular shape. Four courtrooms
are located in the public area. Private or restricted circulation of linking different parts of the court limited: suites of judges, jury deliberation, support the court and the courtroom, along with limited vertical circulation.
B. Linear typologies
In this configuration, public space is linear and is found on one side of the configuration, and courtrooms determine its internal sides. It takes the form of a linear corridor / connector courtroom, deciding between public area and restricted area. In this prototype, the movement takes a linear model in both public and restricted areas.

In the case of criminal courtrooms, three separate and distinct entry points should be provided;
a single public entry point from the public zone, a restricted or private entry point for the judicial
officers, court personnel through one or two entry points from the restricted circulation system, and
a secured entry point for defendants in custody from the secure circulation system. Usually a wooden
railing in a manner that controls movement of the public separates the spectator area and
the litigation area.
According to the guidelines, these functions i.e. chambers, support staff workstations, reception
area, research attorney offices and conference rooms should be clustered or grouped together
along with their services for the better functional and technical reasons. In some cases, all these
functions may be in a single room, in others, they may be clustered on the same floor or on
separate floors- shortcomings of such clustering may require a small robbing area and a
conference room adjacent to each courtroom on courtroom floors, and in some other ones some
functions may not be provided at all.

CONCEPT

– Restoring the historical layer
– Different private / public layers
– Connection court / magistrate school
– Sustainability / sensibility towards nature
Restoring the historical layer
A very important part of our vision consist in preserving the historical layer of the excising
structure, restoring it where it is needed . The intervention will happen just in the interior
part of the building with different ways of organizing the existing space, accommodating
the new layout of the juridical administration.
Different private / public layers
One of the approaches consists in the separation and the connection of public and private, allowing the public to penetrate into the building (the principle of transparency and openness for the citizens), but also giving to the administration and to the school the needed privacy. The structure is divided into private (administration, offices, archives), interface (courtrooms) and public. Part of the public space are the open parks (greenery), waiting areas, canteens etc. The access and the movement is organized in order to provide this division of private/
public, achieving also the required security of the judges/defendants.

Connection court / magistrate school
The magistrate school is a new addition near the Supreme Court and its functions are
connected with the court, functioning as cooperating structures. The judges of the supreme court will provide their expertise, their knowledge and help for the new students of the magistrate school, meanwhile the new judges will help and work as assistance for the collegiums of judges. That’s why the two functions are positioned near each other and are connected. Also, the juridical administration can use the functions (canteen, library, auditorium) of the magistrate school.
Sustainability / sensibility towards nature
We are very sensitive towards nature and want to preserve the green elements of the area. The existing structure and park area are preserved, and the new building will be implemented semi-underground. The upper part of the new courtrooms will be covered in trees and greenery , allowing the light to enter the building, but having a low impact in nature. The light will enter through the patios, and the courtrooms will have artificial light and ventilation. This semi-underground structure is possible using the inclination of the terrain.

Supreme court administation
The existing building will be restored and all the administrative functions, juridical body offices, head of the supreme court,etc will be accomodated into this building.
Two upper floors will serve as offices for the juridical body, allowing them more privacy from the public eye.
The groung floor will accomodate the more public functions such as reception, library, waiting areas etc.
Meanwhile the undergroung floor will serve for the archive, security sector, etc, bur also as a connection for the administrative building with the new court rooms.
The building is a second category monument, so we will preserve the ouside building, bur there will be changes in the inside to distribute all the functions
Magistrate school
It was impossible to accomodate all the required functions in the existing building, so we are adding an addition , that will serve as a more open and public building with conference rooms, canteen, library etc/
The existig building will serve as a space for the students, with classes, workshop rooms, study rooms etc. The two building are connected with brigdes with each other.
In order to give more importance to the monumental building, also considering the fact that the building is in the middle of the park, we wanted to “hide” the new construction, so we are creating this iillusion with the facade: glass facade that is reflecting the surroundings.
Court rooms
According to the requirements, we are adding four different types of court rooms: civil, penal, administrative united college
The penal court room requires high level of security, so we provided every necessary element such as separate entrances, high control, isolation rooms etc.
The distribution of the entrances/fluxes is in such way that the administration/judges will never have direct contact with the public or the criminals.
We decided to build the court rooms underground, being in such way less invasive in the surrounding nature, but providing very nice waiting areas for the public.
Light is a very important element, allowing natural lighting inside the courts and giving the impression of something very monumental/ intimidating, the feeling that you have to create inside a court room

The project can be seen as three different elements that work together:
1. The reconstruction of the existing building – Accomodating the administrative / jurors functions
2. The reconstruction / building of the extension in the magistrate school
3. The construction of the court rooms as undergroung spaces

March 24, 2020 In

Tirana West Park

The project takes place in a new polarity of the city of Tirana. A strategic area and with very good access but not exploiting its potential yet. This project idea
aims to create a neighborhood, with all the qualities that one should have. A neighborhood which is attractive to the city through the businesses in it, but also a neighborhood for its quality of life.

A new neighborhood finds it difficult to create the urban mix and ingredients. This project is about different uses rather than monostructure, it is about heterogeneous groups that will use it rather than
homogeneity, has to do with the diversity of functions, structures in it, spaces for the community etc, because in the end the residents and future users will be different. The size of the complex gives us the opportunity to create a neighborhood that is adapted,changed, conceived such that it is not necessary to choose social groups. economic or primary functions, but integrates them all together for what will be a polarity, a new identity, a new neighborhood of Tirana.

August 1, 2022 In

NORD KONSTRUKSION RESIDENCE

This residential and commercial building has a volume characterized by successive terraces resulting from urban planning rules with the longer side of the volume parallel with the main street. Commercial spaces are on the ground floor and residential units are on the upper floors. The latter have varied typologies: 1+1 ; 2+1 and 3+1 duplex. Parking space for the residential and commercial units is on the two underground floors.
The materials used in the facade are plaster and ceramic tiles. The plaster technique used is known as graffiato. It provides a semi-rough surface that is durable and easy to maintain. The ground floor and the last two upper floors are covered with ceramic tiles, creating a ventilated facade. This facade is also durable, used here to provide visual contrast and play in the elevations. Despite the difference in materials, thermal insulation continues throughout the building, to provide maximum comfort. A distinctive feature of the building is the use of french balconies. Along with the terraces, the french balconies create a “step by step” effect which is accentuated by the facade materials.

Kjo ndërtesë banimi dhe tregtare ka një vëllim të karakterizuar nga tarraca të njëpasnjëshme të rrjedhura nga rregullat e urbanistikës me anën më të gjatë të vëllimit paralel me rrugën kryesore. Ambjentet komerciale janë në katin përdhes dhe njësitë e banimit janë në katet e sipërme. Këto të fundit kanë tipologji të ndryshme: 1+1 ; 2+1 dhe 3+1 dupleks. Vend parkimi për njësitë rezidenciale dhe tregtare është në dy katet nëntokë.
Materialet e përdorura në fasadë janë suvaja dhe pllaka qeramike. Teknika e suvasë e përdorur njihet si grafiato. Ofron një sipërfaqe gjysëm të ashpër që është e qëndrueshme dhe e lehtë për t’u mirëmbajtur. Kati përdhes dhe dy katet e fundit janë të veshura me pllaka qeramike duke krijuar një fasadë të ventiluar Kjo fasadë është gjithashtu e qëndrueshme, e përdorur këtu për të siguruar kontrast vizual në fasadë. Pavarësisht diferencës në materiale, termoizolimi vazhdon në të gjithë ndërtesën, për të ofruar rehati maksimale. Një tipar dallues i ndërtesës është përdorimi i ballkoneve franceze. Krahas tarracave, ballkonet franceze krijojnë një efekt “hap pas hapi” i cili theksohet nga materialet e fasadës.

April 15, 2021 In

A.B RESIDENCE

AB Residence is an eight-storey building with two underground parking floors and is located near Pjeter Budi Street. Services are positioned on the ground floor while the other storeys are residential with two apartments on each floor.
The underground parking is accessed from the front of the building, through the elevator. Near the entrance for vehicles is the entrance for residents. A passage has been realized on the ground floor which enables communication on both sides of the building.
The façade is conceived with red ceramic tiles in one part and white in the other, thus emphasizing the volume of the building through color.

Rezidenca AB është një godinë tetë katëshe me dy kate parkimi nëntokë dhe ndodhet pranë rrugës ‘Pjetër Budi’. Neë katin përdhe janë pozicionuar shëbimet ndersa katet e tjera kane funksion rezidencial me nga dy apartamente në kat.
Aksesi ne parkim bëhet nga pjesa ballore e objektit, nëpërmjet ashensorit. Pranë hyrjes për automjetet është dhe hyrja për banorët. Në katin përdhe është realizuar nje pasazh kalimi i cili mundëson komunikimin në dy anët e objektit.
Fasada është konceptuar me veshje me pllaka qeramike me ngjyrë të kuqe në njërën pjesë dhe të bardha në pjesën tjetër, duke bërë kështu dhe theksimin e volumetrisë së objektit nëpërmjet ngjyrës.

February 24, 2021 In

USLUGA GATE TIRANA

Usluga Gate Tirana is a building with mixed functions, located in Tirana’s New Boulevard. The upper floors will host several services, while the two underground storeys will be used for parking.
The volume of the building diminishes twice, creating two terraces in the north and west facade. These terraces will encourage social interraction between the users of the spaces. The stair block and elevator are on the east side.
Plans are open, in order to enable flexibility in functions. The façade is simple, with high windows that go from floor to ceiling. Some of these units can be opened and some not. The facade cladding is etalbond.

Usluga Gate Tirana është një ndërtesë me funksione mikse, në Bulevardin e Ri. Shpërndarja e aktiviteteve është e tillë që 2 katet nëntokë janë parkim, dhe katet mbi tokë do jenë shërbime të ndryshme.
Volumetria e objektit shkallëzohet çdo 2 kate duke ofruar ballkone të mëdha të cilat do shërbejnë si hapësira që stimulojnë ndërveprimin social. Blloku i shkallëve dhe ashensorit janë në faqen lindore.
Planimetritë janë të hapura, në mënyrë që të mundësojnë fleksibilitet në funksione. Fasada është e pastër, me çarje që shkojnë nga dyshemeja në tavan. Disa prej tyre janë të hapshme dhe disa jo. Veshja e fasadës është bërë me etalbond.

January 28, 2019 In

Collective Urban Villa

The existing object on which the intervention was made was 3 stories high, and by means of the intervention, 3, 4 and 5 floor villas were designed with distinct changes in volume from floor to floor. The facility consists of service units with office function, positioned on the ground floor, and residential units from the first floor upwards. The intervention, regardless of the increase in volume, has been non-invasive for the area, in a way that the object does not oppose the situation in which it is located but interacts with it and has also achieved in preserving part of the identity, emphasizing it as a strong point for the intervention. The brick material, which covers the entire building in its main facades unifies the existing building with the new addition. We have used the brick element that is sometimes visible, sometimes painted, sometimes plastered in the area, as a strong identifying element of the object, turning it into a focus point in the neighborhood in which it is located. This element has been taken and personalized in composition, treatment, and use, both exterior and interior, giving the object an almost symbolic attraction. The simple composition between brick, glass and black metal frames used in the facade creates a clean visual that characterizes the object, regardless of the volumetric fragmentation.

Objekti ekzsitues mbi të cilin është bërë nderhyrja ishte 3 kat i lartë, dhe me anë të ndërhyrjes është projektuar vila 3, 4 dhe 5 kat me tërheqje të dallueshme në volum nga kati në kat. Objekti përbëhet nga njësi shërbimi me funksion zyre, të poziconuara në katin përdhe, dhe njësi banimi nga kati i parë e sipër. Trajtimi i nderhyrjes, pavaresisht rritjes ne volum ka qene jo invaziv per zonen, ne nje menyre qe objekti nuk e kundershton situacionin ne te cilin ndodhet por ndervepron me te dhe eshte arritur te ruhet pjese e identitetit duke u theksuar si pika te forta per nderhyrjen. Marrim psh elementin e tulles, i cili vesh gjithe objektin ne fasadat kryesore te tij duke bere dhe unifikimin e objektit ekzistues me shtesen e re. Elementin e tulles qe e gjejme here ne dukje, here te lyer, e here te suvatuar ne zone, ne e kemi perdorur si element te forte identifikues te objektit, duke e kthyer ne nje pike fokusi ne lagjen ne te cilen ndodhet. Eshte marre ky element dhe eshte personalizuar ne kompozim, ne trajtim, dhe ne perdorim, ne eksterier dhe interier, duke i dhene objektit nje atraksion thuajse simbolik. Kompozimi i thjeshte midis tulles, xhamit dhe kornizave te zeza metalike qe perdoren ne fasade krijon pastertine vizuale qe e karakterizon objektin, pavarsisht coptëzimeve volumetrike.

November 22, 2022 In

Harli Coffee

Harli Coffee is a coffeshop chain located in different junctions of the city of Tirana. This specific location is in “Rruga e Barrikadave”, which is a very high traffic area, remaning busy during the day and night time. Our proposal for the coffeshop takes the high influx of clients in consideration when calculating the capacity for the coffeshop by creating a balanced distribution of the staff and client services. The service bar is located at the end of the space, but is easily percieved before you enter the coffeeshop through its glass facade. The space is divided in three main areas which are the indoor area, a partial outdoor area which can easily turn into indoors by closing the sliding facade elements, and an outdoor area. A strong element of it’s architecture is the pentant ceiling comprised of 3D rectangular copper-coloured mesh, which is highlighted by the led lights beneath it, resulting in shadows of the mesh to relfect on the ceiling. The colour palate is a strong contrast of colours between the copper-coloured ceileing mesh, the deep blue used in walls and bar, and a warm yellow and wooden colour used in some of the furniture. We also incorporated trees and plants in the interior design of the space.

Harli Kafe është një zinxhir kafenesh i vendosur në nyje të ndryshme të qytetit të Tiranës. Ky lokacion specifik është në Rrugën e Barrikadave, e cila është një zonë me trafik shumë të lartë gjatë ditës dhe natës. Propozimi ynë për kafenë merr në konsideratë fluksin e lartë të klientëve gjatë llogaritjes së kapacitetit duke krijuar një shpërndarje të balancuar të hapsirave te stafit dhe shërbimeve ndaj klientit. Banaku ndodhet në fund të hapësirës, por perceptohet lehtësisht përmes fasadës prej xhami ne hyrje. Hapësira është e ndarë në tre zona kryesore që janë zona e brendshme, një zonë pjeserisht e jashtme e cila mund të shndërrohet lehtësisht në ambient të brendshem duke mbyllur elementët rrëshqitëse te fasadës, dhe një zonë e jashtme. Një element i fortë i arkitekturës së tij është tavani i varur i përbërë nga rrjetë 3D drejtkëndëshe me ngjyrë bakri, e cila theksohet nga dritat led poshtë saj, duke hedhur hijet e rrjetës në tavan. Paleta e ngjyrave është një kontrast i fortë midis rrjetës së tavanit me ngjyrë bakri, blusë së thellë të përdorur në mure dhe bar dhe një ngjyre të ngrohtë të verdhë dhe druri të përdorur në disa prej mobiljeve.

November 23, 2020 In

HABURGER

EN
This interior is dedicated to the second shop of Haburger, hamburger brand based in Tirana. The plan layout is particular because of the narrow shape. This characteristic is rather seen as a strong point when combined with the geometry of the arches. The usage of the oak wood, combined with the red ceiling and visible ducts and lighting fixtures, gives a retro atmosphere to the place. Each arch stands like a stage, dedicated to seating and enjoying the food. Light and shadows emphasize beautifully each stage.The kitchen is placed at the end of the plan, partially visible as a glass box at the end of the vision trajectory. The whole interior manifests as a temple of the product served at the shop.
AL
Ky interier i dedikohet dyqanit të dytë të Haburger, brand hamburgeri në Tiranë. Shtrirja e planit është e veçantë për shkak të formës së ngushtë dhe gjatësore. Kjo karakteristikë shihet si një pikë e fortë kur kombinohet me gjeometrinë e harqeve. Përdorimi i drurit të lisit, i kombinuar me tavanin e kuq, tubat e dukshme të ventilimit dhe pajisjet e ndriçimit, i japin vendit një atmosferë retro. Çdo hark qëndron si një skenë, kushtuar uljes dhe shijimit të ushqimit. Drita dhe hijet theksojnë bukur secilin spot qëndrimi. Kuzhina është vendosur në fund të planit, pjesërisht e dukshme si kuti qelqi në fund të trajektores së shikimit. E gjithë brendësia manifestohet si tempull i produktit që shërbehet në dyqan.

January 10, 2020 In

LOFT K

The K Loft is a reconstruction and interior design project that harmoniously combines two existing apartments into one single accommodation. The interior of this loft has three bedrooms, a living room and a flowing kitchen space. The main space has a double height with the fireplace and the staircase standing out as the most peculiar elements. The staircase connects the lower level to the upper bedroom. Its central position becomes the core composing element of the kitchen space.

The upper floor bedroom has an open layout concept where you can look into the living room though the atrium. This room has natural light piercing through the ceiling skylights. The materials and textures used have been carefully selected to fit the urban identity of this loft.

Lofti K është një projekt rikonstruksioni dhe riorganizimin i dy apartamenteve ekzistuese në një. Lofti në brendësi të tij ka tre dhoma gjumi, një hapësirë ndenje dhe një hapësirë gatimi. Hapësira kryesore ka lartësinë të dyfishtë dhe elementet më të veçantë në të janë oxhaku dhe shkalla. Shkalla, që lidh një nga dhomat e gjumit, shndërrohet në qendrën kompozicionale të zonës së gatimit.

Dhoma në katin e sipërm është trajtuar si një plan i hapur ku nëpërmjet atriumit mund të shikosh dy hapësirat e ditës. Kjo dhomë ka ndriçim natyral nga çatia e objektit. Materialet dhe teksturat janë përshtatur më së miri me tipologjinë e këtij lofti urban.