OODA's DUAS Towers: Marble-Clad Pair Overlooking Albania's Coast
OODA, an architecture firm, has presented its plans for DUAS Towers, a pair of mixed-use structures standing 98 meters tall in Vlorë, Albania, nestled between the Adriatic Sea and the mountains. One of the towers features a circular design, while the other is quadrangular, both utilizing a unified architectural approach. The rectangular structure spans 30 by 25 meters, and the circular one boasts a diameter of 26 meters. The facades are designed to step inward, drawing inspiration from the rrodhe pattern found in southern Albanian rugs. Rising 24 stories and clad in Tomorri white marble, the towers will host hotel rooms, residences, retail, and hospitality areas, with landscaping that incorporates drought-resistant plants. OODA is currently investigating sustainable materials, and the project is in the licensing phase.
Key facts
- OODA designed DUAS Towers, a pair of 98-meter mixed-use buildings in Vlorë, Albania.
- One tower is circular (26-meter diameter) and the other quadrangular (30 by 25 meters).
- The name 'Duas' means 'two' in Portuguese.
- The facades feature a stepped pattern inspired by the rrodhe motif from southern Albanian rugs.
- The towers are clad in Tomorri white marble from a quarry about 60 kilometers inland.
- The buildings rise through 24 floors with hospitality spaces at roof level.
- The project includes sustainable features like lower-carbon concrete, recycled aggregate, and hemp-clay insulation.
- The project is currently in the licensing stage.
Entities
Artists
- OODA
Institutions
- designboom
Locations
- Vlorë
- Albania
- Adriatic Sea