6.7.4 Hotel Tirana, 1973 - 1979

6.7.4 Hotel Tirana, 1973 - 1979

Hotel Tirana, also known for a long period among citizens as the 15-floor building, considering the reputation of being the highest tallest building in the city for few decades. The building which was made possible to be constructed due to the technology of the time, was added to the low-rise ensemble of the architectural panorama of the main square of Tirana, by achieving a milestone in architecture and especially construction sector and influencing the skyline of the city. Being concepted as a center for different meetings, hosting diplomatic delegations and different activities, the materials used were cautiously chosen, standards and quality are taken in considerationfrom the group of architects: V. Pistoli, K.Çomo, K. Kolaneci. N. Theodosiark and M. Pepa.

The volume of the building is sustained in the model of the High Rise Tower with Platform, which makes distinctive the role of the proportions in the buildings complemented by the rhythmics transmitted by the presence of the repeated windows as a coreelement of the architectural language. The space between the window strips, which is created as a second layer of horizontality, is covered with carefully selected travertine and granulated stones in the totality of the wall, in the original construction.

The Platform volume compounded by two floors, is dedicated to the public functions of the building. A space formulated around the circulation nucleus of stairs and elevators and a central nucleus which raises the interior visibility between these two floors and facilitating circulation. The special altimetry, position and abundant space around this building, has created the landmark evocation from the outside viewers and the emotional experience of the height and perspective from the users of the buildings, enabled by height and transparency

The type plans for private spaces of rooms are organized harmonically around the central nucleus which takes natural light and ventilation through its vertical ends. The project and furthermore the building, contains the necessary standards for space and facilities within the room by creating the opportunities for this hotel to be considered within the European standards.

Figure 75: Left – Above. Hotel Tirana. Source: http://architectuul.com/architecture/hotel-tirana Right - Above: Hotel Tirana, 1973. Source: (Thomai, Nepravishta, & Boriçi, 2019) Bottom: Hotel Tirana after 1991. Source: Wikimedia and Pinterest

After the 90’s this building has entered the process of privatization for entering the international market as a hotel and restoration processes took place from 1994 till 2015 where it was adapted to a high-quality international hotel. The architecture ofthe building was preserved carefully and the main intervention have been done to the space of lodges and windows which have been substituted with a