‘Starchitects go home’: what’s the truth behind Albania’s astonishing building boom?
Sixty top architecture firms from around the world have mooted 500 eye-catching projects across Albania, sparking fury and protests. Now they’re being celebrated in an 800-page tome that some are calling ‘a smoking gun’ Last autumn, I was sitting with a prominent architect in New York, when their phone wouldn’t stop buzzing. They finally checked the messages and chuckled. “Oh, the Albanian…
An astonishing building boom has taken place in Albania, with sixty top architecture firms worldwide proposing 500 eye-catching projects across the country. This surge in architectural developments has sparked controversy and protests among locals. Recently, an 800-page book titled 'The Albanian Files' was published, which showcases these projects and has been described as a "smoking gun" by some critics.
I recently had a conversation with a prominent architect in New York, who shared their experience with the ongoing 'Albanian Architecture Army' discussions. The architect chuckled when they mentioned that Edi Rama, the prime minister of Albania since 2013, was reportedly suggesting new projects for the architectural firms. Edi Rama's leadership has been instrumental in transforming the formerly communist country into a vibrant hub of modern architecture.
The transformation is characterized by twisting towers in the capital city, Tirana, alongside impressive public spaces, striking coastal resorts, and more dazzling architectural visions on the horizon. 'The Albanian Files' brings these projects together in a comprehensive and detailed book, offering a visual representation of the rapid change and growth experienced in Albania under the leadership of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
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