Abstract

ABSTRACT

The history has left its mark on the Albanian culture and society, from the Roman Empire, Greek colonies, Turkish Empire, to the Balkan and World Wars. Indescribable are the traces and influence of Italian architects and designers between 1920 and 1940. The architecture of the center of Tirana, reflected mainly along the main boulevard that divides the city into two parts, is an undeniable proof of the symbiotic process that has always characterized the relationship between Italian and Albanian culture in all dimensions.

By researching and analyzing the materials found in the technical archive of Tirana, also, the Italian Luce Institute, specifically in the archives of L. Luiggi, G. Fiorini etc., it helps to better understand the Italian vision for Tirana. Today, these sketches and drawings serve as a point of reference for architects, engineers and restorers, as long as buildings need reconstruction or intervention.

After the Second World War, these buildings were perceived as signs of a foreign invasion, but over the last 30 years, superstitious ideologies have been replaced by a more peaceful evaluation process. Built during the 20-40s for other purposes, after liberation they took other functions, from universities, study centers, headquarters and ministry facilities, thus becoming an inseparable part of the day-to-day and historic part of the city, intertwined and in cooperation with each other. Now this historical-architectural heritage, that is shared among people, has helped to change the initial perception.

This cultural heritage buildings of Tirana’s case provide structures and monuments of great value, since they are proof of historic forms of life and the history of modern societies, and show the existence of a tangible cultural identity. The architectural heritage adds character to its surroundings, is an integral part of the city, and is also a valuable tourism resource. Nowadays, architectural and cultural legacy are regarded as a perishable and valuable resource that must be protected and passed on to future generations. However, protective programs are not always as effective as they may be, owing to a lack of interest on the part of residents, professionals and an unfavorable socioeconomic climate.

Performance of cultural heritage “buildings after earthquakes is the concern of people and many professionals from different disciplines”. Although, everyone supports for protecting these architectural masterpieces from seismic threats, the predicted loss to their aesthetic values (as a result of additions and retrofitting processes) “hinders a required decisive consensus on whether or not an action should be taken to save these national treasures. This could be due to a lack of agreement on how to value the added value of seismic risk reduction on the building as a result of structural strengthening” compared to the damage values related to any particular seismic retrofit technique.

The age of these buildings is approaching 100 years, which makes us aware of the greatness of the designers of that period. In this regard, this study aims to define the principles and secrets of structural simplicity and to interpret theoretically their structural arguments. Plan and height configurations, the most useful structural elements of the period and the ability to withstand a large number of seismic events.

The strategic vision of the study is to develop a detailed methodology which can serve as a manual for addressing the issue of restoration, as well as addressing the issue of structural analysis of cultural heritage with the principles and international charters on restoration. Theoretical analyzes and interpretations of the architectural solutions of the period will be developed. The main goal is to treat the complicated modeling of buildings of the past, using the building information modeling methodology as a tool that helps us improve the methods of evaluation and parametric interaction. Regarding the proposals for intervention, it will be attempted through this methodology, to create a controlled space monitored by experts, to prevent damage to architectural assets during restoration.

The study will be carried out through theoretical approaches initially and literature research, while later the methodology will take shape through the treatment of some cases of studies, which have not been previously studied in this specific context.The Albanian context has shown a lack of cooperation in a team of experts or governments have made this contribution even more fragile. To achieve this goal, the right atmosphere of cooperation between experts must be created, to consider their diverse perspectives. On the other hand, this research aims to raise awareness of Tirana's cultural heritage past by fostering a debate on cultural heritage and its future within a structured heritage framework. The study tends to stimulate the process of digitalization by creation of 3d models including BIM, in such a way as to create accessible database of materials, elements, combined architectural and structural models, database for additions and retrofitting’s.

Also, in this study will be targeted to overwhelm the curiosity of researchers, students, aspirants of doctoral studies or lovers of cultural heritage who want to know more about the architectural and engineering part of the main buildings that marked the 20th century architecture of Albania. Those buildings that surround us today define the spaces of our cities which still more tell us how we were, how to judge the past and above of all how we can project the future.