ZHA unveils The Nest and Cascades residential complexes in Tirana

Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has announced two new residential developments, The Nest and Cascades, in the Kodra e Diellit district of Tirana, Albania. The Nest offers one- to three-bedroom apartments across four parcels, centered around a community park with native Mediterranean flora. Its design is informed by computational analysis of topography, solar radiation, temperature, humidity, prevailing winds, air quality, and precipitation. The project targets LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C Gold certification, with an embodied carbon intensity of 471 kgCO₂e/m²—below the regional average of 566 kgCO₂e/m². Cascades expands the existing Arka Art Hotel with a 120-room wing and a 60-meter pool extension, plus a residential apartment wing on a podium. Its facades use locally sourced limestone-inspired GRC panels fabricated on-site. Both projects incorporate rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, solar panels, and native landscaping. The Nest dedicates 55% of its site to green spaces. Cascades features two landscaped courtyards and terraces optimized for valley views. The developments respond to growing demand for diverse housing in Kodra e Diellit, a rapidly expanding district in Albania's capital, which is progressing toward EU accession.