BIG Wins Competition for Tirana Fountain Plaza, a Cloud-Like Building Above Rinia Park
BIG has secured victory in an international contest to create the Tirana Fountain Plaza, a mixed-use development situated in Tirana, Albania. Elevated on slender white columns above Rinia Park, the structure will house offices, apartments, a hotel, and cultural facilities. Its design incorporates perforated white disks on glazed facades and features two curved volumes crafted from fluted glass. Positioned on Rruga Sami Frashëri, the project will maintain the existing Taiwan Pool while introducing rainwater management systems and landscaped gardens. The initiative aims to convert a privately managed area into a cultural hub, linking the park with the Lana River. BIG's design was selected over finalists Cobe and Barozzi Veiga. Additionally, BIG is constructing the National Theatre of Albania and planning interfaith pavilions in the vicinity.
Key facts
- BIG won an international competition to design Tirana Fountain Plaza in Tirana, Albania.
- The mixed-use building will be raised on slim white columns over Rinia Park, keeping the ground level largely open as public space.
- It will contain offices, apartments, a hotel, and cultural spaces.
- Rows of perforated white disks will line the glazed facades and animate interior spaces.
- Two curved volumes wrapped in fluted glass at either end will connect the upper volume to the ground.
- The design is planned for the edge of Rinia Park on Rruga Sami Frashëri, where the Taiwan Center restaurant complex and adjacent Taiwan Pool water feature currently stand.
- The existing Taiwan Pool will be preserved, with water captured, stored, and reused in a closed-loop system.
- The design was selected from a shortlist including Cobe, Barozzi Veiga, l'AUC, and JDSA.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- BIG
- Cobe
- Barozzi Veiga
- l'AUC
- JDSA
- MVRDV
- Taiwan Center
- National Theatre of Albania
- Pyramid of Tirana
- Dezeen
- Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)
- AKPT
- Atelier Albania
Locations
- Tirana
- Albania
- Rinia Park
- Rruga Sami Frashëri
- Lana River
Sources
- Designboom —
- Dezeen —