Pyramid of Tirana | MVRDV

Architecture, Cultural Center

About Pyramid Of Tirana

The Pyramid of Tirana, Albania’s capital city, has been transformed by MVRDV into a cultural hub. Originally a museum dedicated to Enver Hoxha, the communist dictator, it is now an open sculpture in a new park. The park and sculpture feature colorful boxes that house cafes, studios, workshops, start-up offices, incubators, festivals, and classrooms where Albanian youth can learn technology subjects for free. Steps have been added to the building’s facades, allowing people to walk all over this showpiece of the former dictator.

The Pyramid of Tirana, despite being under construction until recently, was extensively utilized last summer. It not only provided Albanians with a stunning cityscape but also became a hidden treasure for tourists. The Pyramid’s significance was further enhanced by the EU Summit and the official opening of TUMO, a free educational institution for Albanian teenagers, on October 16th, solidifying its commitment to benefiting the public.

The Pyramid of Tirana, which was first opened as a museum in 1988, has had a diverse range of uses over the years. After the fall of the communist regime, it was transformed into a radio station, nightclub, conference venue, and broadcast center, and it even served as a base for NATO during the 1999 Kosovo War. These constant changes, combined with incomplete past renovation plans, resulted in a cluttered and dark interior. The building’s future has been the subject of controversy, but a study conducted in 2015 revealed that the majority of Albanians were against demolishing it. In 2017, the government announced plans to transform the concrete structure with the assistance of the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF) and the Municipality of Tirana. The decision was made to create a nurturing environment for young Albanians within the building.

Diagram

The Pyramid of Tirana is seen as a victory symbol for many Albanians, and MVRDV’s design was influenced by how the locals had reclaimed the building. Previously, the deteriorating structure was a popular hangout spot for young people in Tirana who would climb the sloping beams and slide down, although it was quite risky. Now, steps have been added to the sloping sides, making it accessible for people of all ages to reach the top of the building. Additionally, there is a lift on the western side for those who are unable to climb the steps, and one beam has a section where people can still slide down.

MVRDV’s design team integrated the existing structure into their design, adding publicly accessible spaces and educational and event rooms. The colorful boxes are scattered throughout the structure and the park, creating a festival-like atmosphere.

About half of the spaces in the building will be used by TUMO Tirana, a non-profit educational institution that offers free afterschool education to 12- to 18-year-olds in subjects like software, robotics, animation, music, and film. TUMO was founded in Armenia in 2011 and has since expanded throughout Europe. It aims to provide education and opportunities that can help counter the “brain drain” issue that affects countries like Albania. The other half of the colored boxes will be open to the public and will be rented out for various purposes, such as cafes, restaurants, start-up offices, labs, incubators, and studio spaces.

The Pyramid of Tirana’s transformation showcases how a building can be updated for the present while still honoring its intricate history. It also proves that historic brutalist structures are perfect for repurposing. The project aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations. Instead of demolishing the building, its sturdy concrete shell is repurposed using circular economy principles. Since the majority of the structure is exposed to the environment for most of the year, only the added boxes housing the educational program require climate control, resulting in reduced energy consumption. The building’s new use promotes social sustainability by providing an educational program that enhances learning and prepares the next generation for success.

Project Info:

Architects: MVRDV
Area: 11835 m²
Year: 2023
Photographs: Ossip van Duivenbode
Main Contractor: Fusha shpk
Structural Engineering: Arup
Partner In Charge: Winy Maas
Partner: Stefan de Koning
Design Team: Ronald Hoogeveen, Stavros Gargaretas, Guido Boeters, Angel Sanchez Navarro, Boris Tikvarski, Jasper van der Ven, Mirco Facchinelli, Manuel Magnaguagno, Leo Stuckardt
Visualizations: Antonio Luca Coco, Luca Piattelli, Jaroslaw Jeda, Luana La Martina, Gianlorenzo Petrini
Strategy And Development: Willeke Vester, Daan van Gool
Copyright: MVRDV Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, Nathalie de Vries
Co Architect: iRI Architecture
Project Coordination: Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF)
Education Partner: TUMO Tirana
Monuments Expert: Daniel Gjoni
Environmental Advisor: Arben Liçi
Mep Engineering: Arup
Landscape Architect: iRI
City: Tirana
Country: Albania