Wondering amidst the built shimmering perceptions passing trains or mundane twists to openness in question
Ode to libertine blaring through songs of spring throughout an open space like a flamboyant zest
Ephemeral miseenscène monuments’ in between preserving the intimate as the dominant sovereign
Wondering amidst the built
AJMONA HOXHA
PORTFOLIO
More than a Square, Skanderbeg Square
renovation of central square of Tirana, a former transportation hub into a pedestrian area in an urban forest professional practice, completed
Book Building, Metropolitan Hybrids
designing a crucually central multipurpose development with a versatile program: housing; hotel; public ; commercial facilties professional practice, under construction
Pyramid of Tirana
transformation of a former disctatorship mausoleum into an education center professional practice, under construction
Central Rivier Spatial Design
development strategies, through a series of 10 versatile projects preserving nature, invigorating economy and tourism professional practice, in progress
Connecting the dots, Zogu I boulevard
transformation of the boulevard along the main axis of the city, through public plazzas and pocket squares professional practice, completed
Art Park Culture
rehabilitating ‘former Film Campus’ site into a park activated with infrastructure for culture, pavillions and installations. professional practice, under construction
Kumbima, Turn your Sound on !
an sound installation grasping the peculiar condition of its society via a sonic experience of ‘mutuals’ alternative realities, winner of tbilisi biennale 2020
Utopian Tirana short movie
an experiemntal visual journey around Tirana, as an exercise to understand the urban reality and hyper-reality alternative realities, film
Monogram to Polygram
a polyvalent reprogramming of modern social housing estate call from academia
100 lakes - rethink water- land
regional research on water system, urbanization and scenario developing for Kashar lake: a winery project call from academia
ajmona hoxha
2 3 4 1 5 6 7 8 9 10
CONTENT
TEACHING
Teaching Assistant ‘Tirana on the Edge’, 4th year studio, EpokaUniversity, Albania
Guest Tutor, SESAM 2021 Poliklinika, Slavutych, EASA Ukraine
Guest Lecturer, ‘NEWROPE’ chaired by Freek Persyn, ‘Pallati I Brigadave from afar’, ETH, Zurich Guest Lecturer, ‘Publicness’, Kosovo Architecture Festival 2020
Guest Lecturer, ‘Visiting Tirana’ INSIDE Master KABK, Royal Academy of Art, Hague, Guest Lecturer, ‘on Differently-abled Architecture’ ‘Epoka University’, Albania
Guest Lecturer APSS Crossing Temporary 2018, ‘Let’s talk Mobility’, Kotor, Montenegro
Guest Tutor, ‘Defining Periphery’, Epoka University, Albania
Guest Lecturer, unravelling architecture, Epoka University, Albania
Re-activation of Cultural Heritage Quartet Workshop Lead and organizer, Atelier Albania
Organizer of ‘Next Generation Albania’ Conference + Workshop, Albania
AWARDS
CHEVENING SCHOLARSHIP AWARD 2021-2022 | Full Scholarship for outstanding individuals with leadership shkills to pursue one-year master’s degrees in the UK.
EUROPEAN PRIZE FOR URBAN PUBLIC SPACE, 2018 | Urban Public Space Biannual Awards for the design and implementation of Skanderbeg Square, barcelona, (part of authors: 51N4E & iRI)
MIES VAN DE ROHE AWARD FINALIST (5) | for renovation of Skanderbeg Square (part of authors: 51N4E & iRI)
Certificate of “Best Student of the Year” Award | Epoka University’s Rectorate based on excellence results
FIRST Prize | Architectural Competition: Adapting the building of the Assembly of Kosovo for people with disabilities (co-author with Klodiana Millona), Kosovo Academic Scholarship based on academic results
PROFESSIONAL RECORD
2023-present
2021-present
2018-2021
2016-2021
2015-2016
2010-2013
Rodic Davidson Architects - London, UK
Co-Founder, Kumbima Collective
Project Lead, iRI ltd, Albania
Project Architect, 51N4E Brussels – Tirana, Belgium – Albania
Project Coordinator, Atelier Albania/ National Territorial Planning Agency, Tirana
Extreme Make-Over Home Edition Albania, interior architect
EDUCATION
2021-2022
2017-2018
The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London
MA in Architecture and Historic Urban Environments with Distiction*
Master of Science in Architecture, Epoka University, Albania
Porto Academy ’13, University of Porto (FAUP), Portugal
Bachelor in Architecture, Epoka University, Albania
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2017-2018 2021 2020 2020 2020 2019 2018 2018 2017 2015 2013
2018 2018 2012
2013 2008-2013 2021
2011 2008-2012
profile
PROJECT LIST
practice
Title
Durres Stadium Competition
Art Park Revitalization and Cultural Center Rehabilitation
Garda Masterplan, puppet theatre and national theatre
Central Riviera Vision, masterplan design
Njazi Mastori and Perlat elementary school design
Kamza Masterplan, Residential and Recreative Spaces
7 Storey Building on the boulevard, commercial building
Mesonjetorja Museum Renovation, public museum
Vlora Underground Parking, infrastructure and parking,
Vlora Waterfront Park, promenade, public space
National Library Fund renovation, public institution
European University Campus, educational facilities campus
Vlora Flag Square, boulevard and plazza, public space
Central Substation Park, energy infrastructure and park
Vlora Waterfront Lungomare, promenade, public space
Pyramid of Tirana, transformation and renovation
Bus Station Park, exchange central terminal park
Zavalani Farm, guesthouse and winery design
Skanderbeg Square Mainteinance, study, workshops
Zogu I Boulevard, urban revitalization of main city axis
Pharma Net, pharmacy brand interior & facade
Book Building, hybrid complex of housing, hotels & retail
QSUT Hospital Entrance, landscape and entrance pavilion
Tirana International Hotel, terrace design and canopy
Ujevara, bar transformation to a multi-purpose pavilion
Tirana Infrastructure, study, workshop, design
National Historic Museum, design and curation
Skanderbeg Square, urban revitalization of central square
Undergroung Parking of Skanderbeg Square
‘monogram to poligram’ winstanley social housing reprogramming
kumbima soundscape installation
mosque of prishtina international architectural design competition for the central mosque of prishtina
utopian tirana, short movie
waterfront international design competition for the beton
hala waterfront of Belgrade
1st CTBUH, international student competition: Why tall?
design for all, conceptual design for adapting the building of the assembly of kosovo for people with disabilities
Location
Durres, AL
Tirane, AL
Tirane, AL
Riviera, AL
Tirane, AL
Tirane, AL
Tirane, AL
Korce, AL
Vlore, AL
Vlore, AL
Tirane, AL
Tirane, AL
Vlore, AL
Tirane, AL
Vlore, AL
Tirane, AL
Tirane, AL
Permet, AL
Tirane, AL
Tirane, AL
Tirane, AL
Tirane, AL
Tirane, AL
Tirane, AL
Tirane, AL
Tirane, AL
Tirane, AL
Tirane, AL
Tirane, AL
Collaboration
51N4E, Collaborator
iRI, Project Lead
XDGA, iRI, Project Lead
XDGA, iRI, Project Lead iRI, Assistant iRI, Assistant iRI, Assistant iRI, Assistant iRI, Project architect iRI, Project Architect
iRI, Project Architect
iRI, Project Architect
iRI, Project Architect
iRI, Project Architect
iRI, Project Lead
iRI, Project Architect
iRI, Project Lead
iRI, Project Lead
iRI, Project Architect
iRI, Project Lead
iRI, Project Architect
iRI, Project Lead
iRI, Project Lead
51N4E, Project Architect
iRI, Project Lead
51N4E, Project Architect
51N4E, Project Lead
51N4E, Project Architect
iRI, Project Lead
Discipline
multi-purpose developments
urban design, adaptive re-use
urban design, architecture
urban design, public space
architecture
architecture
architecture
adaptive-reuse
infrastructure
urban design, public space
adaptive-reuse
architecture
urban design, public space
urban design, architecture
urban design, public space
adaptive-reuse
urban design, public space
architecture
landscape
urban design, public space
interior
architecture
urban design, public space
architecture
architecture
architecture
architecture
urban design, public space
infrastructure
UK
Albania
Kosovo
Albania
Serbia
USA
Kosovo
francesca pani, sema guldemir
kumbima collective
adelina greca, klodiana millona, elis vathi
klodiana millona, elis vathi
klodiana millona, elis vathi, maks velo, xhorxh shkurti elis vathi, klodiana millona, klodiana millona
social housing programing
sound installation
competition
short movie competition
competition
competition
Year 2023 2021 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2019 2019 2018 2018 2018 2018 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2016 2016 2022 2020 2013 2012 2011 2011 2010
independent ajmona hoxha
Poème Territorial, A series of poems and collages on places and sensations, Tirana 2020
Practice PROFESSIONAL PROJECTS
SKANDERBEG
SQUARE NOT JUST A SQUARE
Winner, European Prize for Urban Public Space, 2018
Finalist, Mies Van Der Rohe Award, 2019
Winner, European Award for Architectural Heritage Intervention, AADIPA
Skanderbeg Square Renovation
Completed, 2018
Client: Municipality of Tirana
Credits: 51N4E
Role: 2016 - Architectural Assistant; 2017 -2019 - Project Architect
Photo credits: Filip Dujardin, Blerta Kambo
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portfolio urban landscape
Publicness’, Kosovo Architecture Festival, 2020 https://kosovoarchitecture.com/ajmona-hoxha/
‘Skanderbeg Square’
APSS Crossing Temporary, Synchro, Porto Montenegro, 2018
‘unraveling architecture’ Epoka University, 2017
lectures by Ajmona Hoxha on Skanderbeg Square
© photo credits: Philip Dujardin
ajmona hoxha
skanderbeg square
The project of Skanderbeg Square encompasses two very simple gestures: creating a vast ‘void’ amidst a very densely chaotic urban center of Tirana, as well as enhancing a ‘green’ belt all around it, activated with vavious pavillions and dense trees, shrubs and perennials. The square opens up to the perspective of the prominent monuments around it, which by its geometrical height at its very center potentially counters their previous symbolism by bringing the citizens at the same level as their once prominent pedestals. Although the scale of the square is monumental, it allows for intimacy and yet everydayness.
10 + 1.75 portfolio urban landscape
Photo of Skanderbeg Square, ‘green’ belt, credits: Philip Dujardin
± 0.00 + 2.50 ajmona hoxha skanderbeg square
Photo of Skanderbeg Square, ‘the void’, credits: Philip Dujardin
site section, square ‘meets’ opera building
sketch, credits: Freek Persyn
The green belt around the pyramid acts as a mediator between the full and the empty, by densifying its boundaries with 18 gardens within private and public linings around the monuments with diverse plants, variety of species and lush vegetation. While the pyramid, the square becomes a common ground for togetherness, both symbolically and literally by waving in its pavement 34 types of local stones from albanian territories. Stone paving is implemented in patterns of color codes, each corner in a different colors: red, green, blue, beige, that merge at the center of the square.
12 portfolio urban landscape
photo contrasting the pyramid with the monumentality of the stairs adjacent, credits: Philip Dujardin
ajmona hoxha skanderbeg square 16 15 12 11 10 8 9 6 7 5 2 3 1 0 19 17 18 13 14 4 square garden city-gate garden museum stairs museum north boulevard ceremony garden hotel tirana opera stairs opera book garden mosque municipality sunken garden south boulevard ministry puppet theatre tropical garden puppet theatre garden bank schematic plan 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
stone mosaics composition pattern implementation
BOOK BUILDING METROPOLITAN HYBRIDS
Full Design Commission : from Feasibility Study up to Detailed Design and Site Supervision
Program: Mixed- Use Housing, Office Municipality, Hotels, Retail and Office Facilities, Public Rooftop Plaza, Communal Agora, Public Ground Floor
Client: TDT & Partners
Credits: 51N4E & IRI
Role: 2017 -2021 Project Lead
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portfolio architecture
Book Building projecr encompasses a 42 000 m2 multipurpose development in the heart of Tirana. The site is located on the edge of Skanderbegq Square, next to the mosque and the closk tower, between Toptani Street and 28 Nentori Street. This unique location gives the project a high strategic value in the development of Tirana’s city center.
In the absence of a restricitve set of urban rules, this project is an opportunity to engage in an open dialogue on how we envision densifying the center of Tirana. The project bears a responsibility is showing how this future can be envisioned. We have identified some of the important aspects that make Tirana a unique and high-quality metropolitan center. The project idea translated these different aspects in to a prototype for the future Tirana.
ajmona hoxha book building
A monumental public staircase is located in front of 10-storey building giving access to a large green terrace, A Public Elevated Plaza
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ground floor plan emphasizing freeflow permeability of public in the ground floor portfolio architecture public office commercial hotel 1 hotel 2 housing
Schematic Programmatic Section
The project bears a responsibility is showing how this future can be envisioned. We have identified some of the important aspects that make Tirana a unique and high-quality metropolitan center. The project idea translated these different aspects in to a prototype for the future Tirana. The center of Tirana has everything to become the place to meet for people from both inside and outside Tirana. A large central park, Skanderbeg Square, a range of public infrastructures, cultural venues and hospitality services will turn Tirana into an attractive destination for people to come together.
ajmona hoxha book building
Realistic collage of the fragment where buildings are joined at an elevated plaza on accessible by a public monumental staircase.
Dissecting Urban Layers of the City
18 Facade View of Building A
1 BUILDING A
Photo from the site Sky Light Atrium in Building A
The Book Building is co-writing the transformation of downtown Tirana. The projects’ architevture is an expression of a young and dynamic society that is free to invent its own identity. An open and joyful city. The project consists of three solitary buildings that integrate both the small human scale of the city and the big scale of the future metropolis.
Fragment of Facade View , Building A
Photo from the site Facade Panels in place in Building A HOTEL HOTEL HOTEL HOTEL OFFICE
Technical Detail , Building OFFICE
OFFICE +15.88 = ROOF / 4FL
+20.38 = 5FL
+23.83 = 6FL
+27.23 = 7FL
+30.63 = 8FL
+34.03 = 9FL +11.79 = 3FL
+19.18 = 5FL
+22.80 = 6FL
+26.20 = 7FL
+29.60 = 8FL
+33.00 = 9FL
+36.40 = 10FL +14.35 = ROOF / 4FL
HOTEL
PYRAMID OF TIRANA
TRANSFORMATION
OF THE FORMER DICTATORSHIP
MAUSOLEUM TO AN EDUCATION CENTER
Full Design Commission : from Feasibility Study up to Detailed Design and Site Supervision
Program: Adaptive-Reuse, Education, Retail
Client: Municiaplity of Tirana
Credits: MVRDV & IRI
Role: 2019 - 2021 | Project Architect
portfolio architecture
This adaptive re-use design will see this brutalist monument in the heart of Albania’s capital city, once the showpiece of Communist dictator Enver Hoxha, dramatically transformed.
The concrete structure is retained and reused, the atrium and its surroundings adorned in greenery and opened up, and a small village of cafes, studios, workshops, and classrooms – where young generations are provided various technology education for free – will permeate the site, both inside and outside the pyramid itself. The Pyramid is thus expected to become a new hub for Tirana’s cultural life and a carrier for the new generation.
ajmona hoxha pyramid of tirana
portfolio architecture
01 Diagnosing the Existing
02 Opening Up
03 Connect with Stairs
Trasversal Section of the Pyramid
Collage of Pyrami of Tirana, credits: MVRD & iRI
This adaptation relies on four straightfoward guestues: Preserving the main structure of the building; Opening it up by changing the fixed glazing box and allowing for a different interios- exterior connection; Using the existing facade as a stairway to the tip of the pyramid; Reartuculating the glazed skin to a micro climatecontrolled glazing system.
pyramid of tirana ajmona hoxha
04 Control Micro-Climate
Photo of the original version of the Pyramid, 1989 Tirana credits: unkown
Collage of Pyrami of Tirana, credits: MVRD & iRI
Central Riviera Spatial Vision encompasses the main villages along the National Road (SH8) of Qeparo, Borsh, Piqeras, and Lukova, as well as the smaller villages of Upper Qeparo, Qazim Pali and Sasaj. But almost more importantly it encompasses a wealth of natural and semi-natural landscapes and a quasi-pristine coastline of around 15 km. The Central Riviera Spatial Vision combines the preexisting dynamics with new tools such as the preservation of the territory (through the implementation of the Riviera Augmented Landscape), a series of 10 versatile projects, and upgraded infrastructural to invigorate economic development through the prism of tourism.
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Porto Palermo
Qeparo
Borsh
Upper Qeparo
portfolio urban landscape
Qazim Pali
CENTRAL RIVIERA SPATIAL VISION
Feasibility Study, Development Strategies, Urban Design, Central Riviera of Albania 2021
Program: Tourism, Infrastructure, Public Space
Client: KfW Development Bank
Credits: XDGA (Belgium) & iRI (Albania)
Role: 2020 - 2021 Local Project Lead , iRI team
Versatile Projects Augmented Landscape Infrastructural Projects
Bunec
Lukova
public landscape economic landscape natural landscape productive landscape economy – employment – tourism - public amenities
Piqeras
ajmona hoxha central rivier spatial vision
Augmented Landscape:
To reverse the fragile equilibrium between development and nature, the creation of The Augmented Landscape is proposed, a place for an “over-valuation” of the pristine natural landscape and historical monuments.
Localisation & Related Projects
26 09
PIQUERAS TO LUKOVA SEASHORE PIQERAS CENTER REFURBISHMENT HIKING TRAIL PROJECT - augmented landscape
LUKOVA SEASHORE LUKOVA CENTER REFURBISHMENT HIKING TRAIL PROJECT - augmented landscape
Lukova Seashore Interventions, fragment from Central Riviera Vision
portfolio urban landscape
1. Floating Platform Collage Hiking Trail, Augmented Landscape
A floating platform to house leisure and slow tourism activities. A light public pavilion added along the beach.
The main access to the beach, near the back of this pristine locality. To complete the access, the new platform will include a water taxi stop.
An inviting space for an all-day stay, a programmed park with a children’s playground created inside on the back hilly side.
To preserve the qualities of the beach, no new construction will be allowed in the restrictive perimeter. Existing buildings have the opportunity for extension and refurbishment.
1.
4.
2.
1.
2.
3.
1. Floating Platform
2. Shuttle System
3. Shaded Park
4. Preparation for a Regulated, Small Scale Private Service
1.
2. central rivier spatial vision
ajmona hoxha
ART PARK PARK REVITALIZATION AND CULTURAL CENTER
Urban Study, Masterplan, Public Space Design, Albania, 2020
Program: Recreational Park, Public Space and Cultural Center, 2021-2023
Client: Ministry Of Culture
Site area: 15 300 m2
Design Credits: iRI
Role: 2020 - 2021, Project Lead
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portfolio urban landscape
ajmona hoxha art park
collage of art park view from Kinostudio cross- road
The redevelopment the former Kinostudios, the former film production site, is a great opportunity to target mutliple benefits: requalify the cultural heritage but also make it a motor for contemporary cultural production; open culture up to younger and broader public, but also requalify the area as a whole. The site is imagined as a combination of a park with cultural infrastructures and its urban surroundings, carefully integrating new and old uses, ecology, and accessibility. Park is activated through pavillions: a greenhouse, a guinguette, an art hangar, various installations and adaptive-reuse ofthe rear wing of the building into a ultural center.
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Urban Reality Drawing, Art Park Interventions
1 3 4 5 + 2 portfolio urban landscape
Art Park Cultural Infrastructure
DRINKS TICKETS
1 Guinguette
2 Art Hangar
+ space for temporary installations
3 Greenhouse
Transforming the Park into Cultural Infrastructure via:
1. Opening up the park
2. Linking ransport modes
3. Rich Green Structure
4. Hardscape and Flows
ajmona hoxha art park
5. Activation with Pavillions
ZOGU I BOULEVARD CONNECTING THE DOTS
Boulevard, Public plazzas and Facade Renovation, Tirana, Albania, 2018
Program: Public Infrastructure, Plazas and Public Space
Status: Completed
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b c a portfolio urban landscape
o. tirana city center
Skanderbeg Square
e. pyramid of tirana
a. boulevard Zogu I
University Square
Fortuzi Square
Village Square
Pocket Square
b. new Northern Boulevard
c. northern lake (Paskuqan)
d. southern lake (artificial)
o e
ajmona
I
Boulevard ‘Zogu I’ location , main segment of the city vertebra
hoxha zogu
boulevard
The boulevard is envisioned as a large public space consisting of a series of public squares. The “Zogu I” boulevard, acts not only as a main vertebra that connects the edges of the city but also as an axis that joins spaces with different public qualities, with a group of open/public spaces, positioned on the side, in the middle or next to it creating public spaces, gardens and city parks: Fortuzi, University, Village and Pocket square. The road axis “Bulevardi Zogu I-re” Tirane is about 630 ml with a width of 35m in the existing situation. Sidewalk extends from 4m in the former condition to 8m in the new design transforming it into a pedestrian friendly boulevard.
34
portfolio urban landscape
Collage of ‘Pocket Square’, Boulevard ‘Zogu I’
Collage of ‘Village Square’, Boulevard ‘Zogu I’,
Site Plan of Plazzas along Boulevard ‘Zogu I’
1. University Square
2. Fortuzi Square
3. Village Square
1 2 3 4 ajmona hoxha zogu I boulevard
4. Pocket Square
Poème Territorial, A series of poems and collages on places and sensations, Athens 2020
Independent Projects Self-Initiated ALTERNATIVE REALITIES
KUMBIMA IN PRAISE OF SOUNDS
Winner, Tbilisi Architecture Biennale 2020
Art & Research Installation Project, Tirana, AL Art installation
Completed 2021
Client: Tbilisi Architecture Biennale & Creative Europe
Team: Ajmona Hoxha, Alba Caja, Dritëro Nikqi, Guust Selhorst, Irida Shupo, Andi Haviari, Klevis Gjoni, Pierre Escobar
www.kumbima.com
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portfolio alternative realities click
Í kumbím / ë, -a noun; meaning a prolonged ringing that seems to come from afar; from hitting something; echo sound; reverberation; echo: the sound of the drum; repercussion of a sound etc.
under
curated
ajmona hoxha kumbima
Kumbima Installations on - site: curated by Anna Dobrova, Dnipro Center for Contemporary Culture, Ukraine 2020
curated by Tinatin Gurgenidze Berlins HAUS DER STATISTIK, Berlin 2020
the curation of METALAB Promprylad Factory, Ivano-Frankivsk, 2020
by Tinatin Gurgenidze & c/o now Kyiv Pavillion, Ukraine, 2020
here screenshot from
www.kumbima.com
Kumbima proposal delves into the city’s joints soundscape to grasp a peculiar condition of its society via a sonic experience of ‘mutuals’.
begin the experience
Kumbima explores a ‘shared’ public ground following the ‘echoes’ of its performances. A set of ‘antagonist’ behaviors speak aloud: the bells chime, the minarets’ call, the choirs sing, while urban traffic bursts, children play and all comes together in an acoustic battle field of sound cacophony. The sonic experience of Kumbima, offer four professionally recorded journeys that transcends through the soundscape of the city. On the website sound transcendence happens through navigating through the page, while on the mobile it happens through rotation of the mobile 360 from all angles.
40 portfolio alternative realities
photo of installation in Ukraine, credits: TAB team 2020
link to sound compositions here FITER BAJRAMI AUDIO 1 AUDIO 2 CATHOLIC BELLS BEKTASHI SINGING CHRISTMAS CHOIR BYZANTIN CHANT KURBAN BAJRAMI FRIDAY PRAYER FRIDAY PRAYER EAS EAS EAS link to video here ajmona hoxha kumbima
2020
photo of installation in Georgia, credits: TAB team
UTOPIAN
TIRANA A SHORT EXPERIMENTAL VIDEO ABOUT URBAN REALITY IN TIRANA
Experimental Project Short Movie, Tirana, AL
Completed 2012, Self Initiated Project
Credits: Ajmona Hoxha, Elis Vathi, Blendina Cara, Klodiana Millona
Screenings
Bunkart Museum of Communism, invited work exhibition, 2014 - ongoing Round table on the future Albania | a series of 25 interviews of international architects, curated by Elian Stefa, 2015
Arquitecturas Film Festival, Santiago 2013
AlbaniaNOW Exhibit Michigan, USA, 2013
Arquitecturas Film Festival, Lisoba 2013
Design Overview, Tirana 2012
International Conference of Architecture and Urban
Design, Tirana 2012
International Art Expo,Rome 2012
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portfolio alternative realities
The aim of this work lies in the illustration of socialist and post socialist Tirana where both utopia and reality were compromised to co-exist with us in the city. It is crucial for the time being to admit that the city is experiencing the afterlife of socialist-scape without any strategy, thus underlining the need to built one up for near future developments.
Utopian Tirana
an exercise of understanding the urban reality in Tirana ajmona hoxha utopian tirana
link to movie here
screenshots from the movie
Poème Territorial, A series of poems and collages on places and sensations, Berlin 2020
Academic Work CALL FROM ACADEMIA
MONOGRAM TO POLYGRAM A POLYVALENT REPROGRAMMING OF MODERN SOCIAL HOUSING ESTATES
Academic Project - Design Practice as part of MA in Architecture and Historic Urban Environments
Academic Year 2021-2022
The Bartlett School of Architecture
Tutor: Lakshm Priya Rajendran
Team with: Francisca Lopez Pani; Sema Nur
Guldermir
portfolio
This project is a counter-proposal to the undelrlying trend of social housing Winstanley Estate demolitions occurring in the South of London. An attempt to bring an alternative model to modern estate renewals by reinforcing their physcial and social assets in unison. Winstanely Estate endures the threat of London’s neoliberal revelopment pressure unless a viable model outdoing the existing physical, economical and social conditions overrules.
Monogram to Polygram eplores what closeness means in a housing block in a programmatic and tactile dimension, breaking down wals, sharing common uses, enriching collective domesticity and social boundaries.
The model transforms the unused elevated ground floors into communal spaces for shared use, answering directly to user’s needs. Education and skill training spaces, common kitchen and laundrettes are proposed among others - to reinforce a cohesive togetherness and utilize the richness of various ethnicities residing in the estate.
0 1 2 1 3 4 5 ajmona hoxha monogram to polygram
FORMER STORAGE REUSED AS SKILLS WORKSHOP - INCREASE RESIDENTS CAPACITIES OF SUSTAINING THEIR LIVING.
VACANT ELEVATED GROUND FLOOR BECOMES A COMMON KITCHEN AND LAUNDRETTE FOR BOTH INDIVIDUAL AND COMMON-USE.
1. No demolition - Unequivocal decision on unnecessarydemolition; 2. No loss of social housing units; 3. Maintain the existing -Explore the potential and add value to it, test the possibilities and the capacities of space;
4. ReprogrameAdd new functions that respond to the present needs;
5. Celebrate the diversity of people in the estate;
6. Generate income, improve connectivity and create greater community coherence - An economic model that is self-regulatory and allows for living and financial sustainability of the estate; 7. Promote active participation and collective ownership.
EDUCATION WORKSHOP EVENT SPACE HOUSING HOUSING SKILLS WORKSHOP HOUSING COMMON KITCHEN + LAUNDRETTE MANIFESTO
portfolio
areas
Winstansely Social Housing Estate - Life Cycle- Investigating ownership of the housing units after the ‘Right- to-Buy’ scheme.
Photos of Elements throughout the blocks that could be adapted to redefine the functionality of the housing complex. ajmona hoxha monogram to polygram
Site Observation of the Winstanley Estate
The design proposal tackles on the walled division of housing units by challenging spatial boundaries of the ‘individual’ and the ‘shared’. The potential of such modernist structures resides in their ability to absorb change. The proposal keeps the concrete structure, but multiplies the uses and changing its monoprogram but a multitude of uses.
Ultimately, the proposal attempt to reshaper the community anchors in a selected block of Winstanley Estate - through self-regulation and self-maintenance of tis own community, independent of regulatory bodies
Skill Workshop Collage
Programmatic Proposal Secion Overview
Axonomeric Section of the Common Kitchen & Launderrette Proposal
portfolio
Education & Skills Workshop Scenario Proposal Plan
Common Kitchen Scenario Proposal Plan
Programmatic Schematic Section Proposal - Skills Workshop
0 1 m 2 1 3 4 5 0 1 m 2 1 3 4 5
Programmatic Collage of the Laundrette Space
0 1 2 1 3 4 5 ajmona hoxha monogram to polygram
Water System
52 Tirana Tirana Tirana Tirana Tirana Lanë Lanë Lanë Tirana Lanë Tirana Braka Tërkuza Tërkuza Tërkuza Tërkuza Gjole Gjole Zeza Zeza Berdhari Zeza Zeza Ishmi Ishmi Ishmi Ishmi Ishmi Ishmi Ishmi Budull Budull Droj Droj Vdekur Droj Droj Droj Droj Lanë Limuthi Limuthi Zojca Limuthi Kashari Sharga Tabini Erzeni Erzeni Erzeni Erzeni Erzeni Erzeni Erzeni Erzeni Erzeni Zaranika Zhllima Zhllima Zhllima Zhllima Zhllima e Vogel Zhllima Madhe Peza Peza Peza Peza Kokomajka Gjepalaj Lishati Lishati Lishati Lishati Lishati Mengaj Mengaj Mengaj Lishati Cerile Cerile Cerile Darci Darci Darci Darci Darci Darci Spring 1-10 l/s Spring 10-100 l/s Taking of the underground water until 500 l/s Spring until 1000 l/s Taking of the underground water over 5000 l/s Sinking in the water keeper layer Mineral water sinking (Na, Cl) Water keeper layer Stores of water supply Spring of water supply Pumping station Pumping stations of sewage Pouring of sewers Reservoir catchment area Reservoir Collector river River Spring Distribution canal Drainage canal Canal LEGEND Flooding areas N
Paskuqan(1983) Shkalle(1971) Berce(1970) Kares(1981) Sakoza(1982) Allyjate(1975) Sharge(1976) Tapize(1981) Zallherre-1(1973) Selita-2(1970) Selita(1973) Sharre(1980) Prrush(1978) Mustafakoc(1975) Alltate(1974) Veski(1972) Zelaji(1975) Rade nr1(1966) Bilalas(1966) Karpen(1966) Shtraze(1968) Shkallenur(1969) Pjeza(1967) Romanat(1966) Manskuri(1969) Arapaj(1966) Spitalle nr1(1963) Rabjeke(1967) Ishem(1968 Kashar(1963) Ballaxhias(1969) portfolio call from academia
100 LAKES RETHINKING WATER - LAND
BACHELOR THESIS
Regional Study, Urban Study, Pilot Projects for Sustainable Development
Graduation Project- Double Joint Research-Studio Epoka University (Albania) & Katholic Uni. Leuven (Belgium)
Tutors: Valbona Koci, Ilir Nase 2013, Albania
A strategic study on urban scale for the broader area of Tirana, the coastal Durres and Kruje. The existence of a large number of artificial lakes, remnants of a communist-time project, is taken as a trigger to set up a study of the area as a whole. The study is aiming at scenarios for the future development of the area on different levels, with an underlying aim of a long-term vision.
ajmona hoxha 100 lakes - rethiking water land
Tirana Tirana Lanë Tërkuza Erzeni Erzeni Erzeni Erzeni Erzeni Qafmolla ZalliiDerjes Zalli Vogel ZalliiVogel Zaranika ZhllimaeMadhe Shupal Kodner(1974) Rine(1985) Tufine(1976) Lanabregas(1978) Farke(1984) Gurre(1973) Krraba(1972)
photo of a lake, northern region
Infrastructure Driven Urbanization Overlap of systems
Water-Systems Zoom in
/ vineyards, Kashar Area
mapping urbanization, Kashar Area urbanization and hydrology overlap urbanization on port & capital city
54 62 Albania_100 lakes Tirana Tirana Lanë Lanë Tirana Lanë Tirana Braka Tërkuza Limuthi Limuthi Zojca Limuthi Kashari Sharga Erzeni Erzeni Erzeni Erzeni Erzeni Peza Peza Kokomajka Gjepalaj Lishati Lishati Lishati Lishati Lishati Mengaj Mengaj Mengaj Lishati Cerile Cerile Cerile Darci Shkalle(1971) Berce(1970) Kares(1981) Sakoza(1982) Gjokaj(1985) Celeberzez(1976) Purezi(1971) Sharge(1976) Tapize(1981) Sharre(1980) Likesh(1986) Xhafzotaj(1985) Cizmeli(1982) Pinet(1989) Bozanxhias(1972) Manskuri e Vogel(1970) Rade nr2(1968) Rade nr1(1966) Bilalas(1966) Berxull(1965) Gjokaj-1(1967) Karpen(1966) Metalla e vjeter(1965) Koxhas(1967) Shtraze(1968) Gjepalaj(1967) Shkallenur(1969) Pjeza(1967) Romanat(1966) Callekut(1963) Manskuri(1969) Arapaj(1966) Rabjeke(1967) Kashar(1963) Zoom 3
6 12 18 Kilometers and Infrastructure portfolio call from academia
mapping
mapping water - system,
agriculture
Kashar Area
Proposal of a Local Scenario
How to develop a scenario that is able to re- use an existing capital of infrastructure integrated with the land capacity, adapted to today’s land-use conditions?
Among the land capacity of the area, vineyards reposes a majority among other natural assets, through the hills and Mediterranean climate. Winemaking tradition can set a distinctiveness which makes it possible to pursue, through architecture.
ajmona hoxha 100 lakes - rethiking water land
‘wine’ like a local !
model/ collage from winery project
photo of traditional vineyard houses, Kashar
Wine like a local !
The scenario of the vineyards, winery, and winehouse copes respectively with the three land-use conditions of the context, using the land-cover capacities, as well as the remnant infrastructure encompassing in cross-section through: cultivation, production, selling.
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portfolio call from academia
cultivate process sell ajmona hoxha 100 lakes - rethiking water land
collage looking towards the lake from the winery
longitudinal section, winery project
PUBLICATIONS EXHIBITIONS
Chapter 1 Skanderbeg Square Tirana (Ruby Press)
Park Entrance competition (Atelier Albania | AKPT)
Campus of Justice competition (Atelier Albania | AKPT)
Culture Quartet competition (Atelier Albania | AKPT)
Gjirokastra Bypass competition (Atelier Albania | AKPT)
Park of Faith competition (Atelier Albania | AKPT)
Kumbima interview with Wake Up Albania
Utopian Tirana
PERfact- ‘Utopian Tirana Video and Thought’ a report from Irsi Bejo
MakeLab - ‘Pushing Up in Albania and Kosovo’ a report from Jim Stevens
Architecture and the City- Hidden Cities and Hybrid Identities- Rome, Italy a report from Valbona Koci
CTBUH competition
‘Archdaily’ a report from Alison Furuto
‘p-ark.net’ - ‘Projekt Propozim per Why Tall’ a report from Joni Baboci
research paper: Mud Bricks with Shred Geogrids as Sustainable Materials published in Geotechnical
News, Canada, co-author (Dual Team) Hamed Niroumand
Anima Pictures
MAPO Newspaper -’Nuhat Drurin’ a report from Maks Velo Office design Office Snapshots - ‘Anima
Pictures Office Complete with Pallets and Cement Blocks’ a report from Stephen Searer
The Office Stylist - ‘Anima Pictures Office’
Retail Design Blog - ‘Anima Pictures Office’
Becreative.al - ‘Smell the Wood’ a report from Blerina Konci p-ark.net - ‘Nuhat Drurin edhe ne Tirane’ a report from Adelina Greca
Kumbima Soundscape Installation
Dnipro Center for Contemporary Culture curated by Anna Dobrova, Ukraine
Berlins Haus Der Statistik, curated by Tinatin Gurgenidze, Berlin Promprylad Factory, under the curation of METALAB, Ivano-Frankivsk, Tbilisi
Kyiv Pavillion, curated by Tinatin Gurgenidze & c/o now, Ukraine
Utopian Tirana short-movie
architect africa film festival “design is: universal | global | local”, johannesburg, south Africa round table on the future, a series of 25 interviews of international architects on future scenarios of Albania, curated by elian stefa, tulla cultural center, albania bunkart museum of communism, invited work exhibition (permanent), utopian tirana screening, albania ‘do you mean architecture’, Arquitecturas Film Festival Lisoba,Portugal, shortlisted work- utopian tirana
‘the city is... ‘ Arquitecturas Film Festival Santiago,Chille, shortlisted work utopian Tirana, AlbaniaNOW Exhibit, Michigan, USA, 2012
‘hidden cities & hybrid identities’ - international videoart festival and photography exhibition, Rome Design Overview, utopian tirana screening, Tirana, Albania
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2017 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2020 2013 2012 2011 2011
2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2016 2015 2014 2014 2013 2013 2012 2012 books articles
portfolio booklet 2023 AJMONA HOXHA ©
Celebrating a relief in horizons of open fields fleeting scales of self nurturing image of space
Resignedly beneath the sky where libertine waters lie on lurid lights that are cast pressed in storm and dust
Observing turrets that gleam ’silently on their confin shadowy, gray n’grin a mesmerizing ghosting scream
PORTFOLIO
AJMONA HOXHA
