Following a decade of continuous engagement with Albania’s evolving architectural scene, Davide Macullo Architects has completed its Veterinary Hospital in Tirana. Located on the outskirts of the city, the building contains a medical facility behind its sculptural silhouette comprised of soft geometries that echo the fluid forms of the natural terrain. With curves carved from concrete, these masses come together to create a series of waves, which, despite their Brutalist rigidity, form a network of spaces that invite interaction and slow down the experience of space.

Inside, this sense of ease and fluidity is a manifestation of a tenet central to the studio’s approach. In a previous conversation with designboom, founding architect Davide Macullo explained that every project responds to its surroundings through deep observation. ‘Our aim is for buildings to integrate harmoniously into their surroundings — enriching the environment and making people feel at ease through their interaction with light, color, and form,’ he shares. The Veterinary Hospital reflects this ethos through its form reflective of organic layers of land, along with an unorthodox approach to clinical architecture. They have developed a building for animals and their caretakers underpinned with a deep understanding of psychology of space.

all images courtesy of Davide Macullo Architects

the sculptural concrete facade contains a fluid spatial program

The Veterinary Hospital folds Davide Macullo Architects’ core ideas of designing in response to surroundings and local culture, mixed with a subtly sculptural approach. Here, the artful concrete curves are inspired by the landscape, their fluidity extending inward to eliminate any atavistic fears of enclosure, creating an open and freeing environment. The Swiss practice consciously avoids sterile typologies and embraces a bold visual language shaped by empathy, psychology, and movement. A clear logic defines the plan, guided by spatial psychology and the behavioral dynamics between species. Areas for cats and dogs are thoughtfully separated, circulation paths are intuitive, and outdoor terraces offer therapeutic spaces where animals can recover in contact with the elements.

Materially, the project balances rawness and refinement. The brutalist expressions of concrete are used to ground the building in its context, while its mass is softened by planted terraces and gently sloping lines that blur the boundary between built and natural. The building’s curved forms also eliminate the rigid, institutional feel common to healthcare facilities, replacing it with a more open and humane language.

Davide Macullo Architects completes Veterinary Hospital in Tirana

the building contains a medical facility behind its sculptural silhouette

curves carved from concrete, these masses come together to create a series of waves

within, the curves form a network of spaces that invite interaction and slow down the experience of space

its mass is softened by planted terraces and gently sloping lines

the brutalist expressions of concrete are used to ground the building in its context

project info:

name: Veterinary Hospital

architect: Davide Macullo Architects | @davidemaculloarchitects

location: Tirana, Albania

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Located along the coastline of Himare, Albania, ZigZag Resort is designed by JA Joubert Architecture in collaboration with UNS Architects. The resort adopts a linear zigzag configuration that follows the existing topography, maintaining views across the site while minimizing alteration to the landscape. The formal strategy enables each unit to engage with its surroundings without obstructing others, preserving both visual and environmental continuity.

The design incorporates passive environmental strategies, including solar orientation and natural ventilation, to reduce energy demand. Rainwater is managed through integrated systems, supporting on-site ecological balance. Locally sourced Berat stone is used in the construction, selected for its durability and relevance to regional building traditions.

all images courtesy of JA Joubert Architecture and UNS Architects

ZigZag Resort’s Architecture in Dialogue with Landscape

Circulation throughout the resort is organized to facilitate intuitive movement. Vertical transitions between terraces, gardens, and pools are addressed through integrated pathways and a funicular system. These connections are designed to provide access across levels while limiting impact on the terrain. Drop-off points and circulation routes are planned to separate guest pathways from service areas.

Interior spaces extend outward into gardens, decks, and terraces, maintaining a continuous spatial experience. Infinity pools blend with the coastline, and private coastal access deepens the resort’s connection with its surroundings. The architectural approach emphasizes a cohesive relationship between building and site, aligning structural and material decisions with the existing conditions of the coastal landscape. ‘Architecture should not dominate the land; it should respond to it,’ explains Marc Joubert, founder of JA Joubert Architecture.

ZigZag Resort stretches along the Himare coastline, following the natural terrain

the resort’s linear zigzag form preserves site topography and uninterrupted views

architecture and landscape interlock without major disruption to the land

each unit is oriented to maintain privacy and maximize coastal exposure

infinity pools align with the sea, extending the horizon visually

terraced forms create a stepped rhythm across the site’s slope

circulation pathways connect terraces, gardens, and guest spaces

garden terraces extend directly from interior spaces

outdoor decks and loggias are part of the continuous spatial layout

the architecture emphasizes environmental continuity and local adaptation

JA Joubert Architecture aims for a design that responds to the land

the resort’s terraced form merges with the coastal landscape

an infinity pool carved into the hillside provides an uninterrupted view of the Albanian Riviera

project info:

name: ZIG ZAG

architects: JA Joubert Architecture | @ja_joubertarchitecture, UNS Architects | @unsarchitects
design team: Marc Joubert, Foti Prifti, Erjon Gjyli & Team, Images: Vero Universe
location: Himare, Albania

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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OMA has been announced as the winner of the international competition to revitalize Tirana’s Selman Stërmasi Stadium and its surrounding city blocks. The original stadium, built in 1956, will be reimagined as part of a broader development that strengthens the link between the two key neighborhoods of Blloku and Komuna e Parisit. The scheme comprises the stadium itself, a triangular entrance plaza, and a series of new mixed-use spaces — including apartments, a hotel, offices, retail, and food and beverage venues — designed to activate the site beyond match days and extend its civic presence into everyday urban life.

With a bold new visual identity, OMA’s design references Albania’s ancient architectural history, drawing inspiration from the Stadium of Amantia, a third-century BCE Illyrian structure carved into the mountains. Echoes of its form and materiality appear in the contemporary scheme, where buildings clad in natural stone rise in peaks and terraces, echoing the terrain and stacked stone slabs of the historic counterpart.

all images courtesy of OMA

expanding the stadium, oma enhances urban connections

Surrounding the stadium, a new ensemble of buildings will house apartments of various sizes, a hotel, offices, retail, and food and beverage outlets to make the site a fully integrated mixed-use urban anchor. Alongside its newly enhanced role as a cultural and social connector, the stadium’s seating capacity will also be expanded from 9,500 to 15,000 for an improved football-viewing experience, while a new arena bowl will be introduced, facilitating enhanced proximity between the spectators and the pitch.

At the entrance, the team at OMA has positioned a triangular plaza that acts as a flexible civic space, designed to accommodate fans on match days while also serving as an informal gathering space for everyday activities. The entire development is thus designed to adapt to both event-based and daily use, ensuring its relevance and activation for the community throughout the year.

OMA set to revitalize Tirana’s Selman Stërmasi Stadium

The design has been developed in collaboration with LOLA Landscape Architects, Royal Haskoning DHV, and artist Petrit Halilaj. OMA’s winning proposal was selected over entries by Foster + Partners, FAR frohn&rojas, OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen, and Zaha Hadid Architects. With construction timelines yet to be announced, the project marks a significant step in Tirana’s ongoing urban evolution.

‘Football is a cornerstone of urban culture and national identity across Europe and around the world, and we feel it especially intensely here in Tirana,’ says OMA architect David Gianotten.‘Our design is meant to accelerate the exciting changes taking place in the city, while fostering closer bonds within and between neighborhoods and communities here.’

the intervention extends into the surrounding urban blocks

the design references the ancient Stadium of Amantia carved into the mountains

the stadium’s seating capacity will be expanded from 9,500 to 15,000

the scheme comprises the stadium itself, a triangular entrance plaza, and a series of new mixed-use spaces

project info:

name: New Selman Stërmasi Stadium

architect: OMA | @oma.eu

location: Tirana, Albania

partner architect: David Gianotten
associate-in-charge: Kees van Casteren
design team: Ana Otelea, Antonie van Vliet, Gerrit Knappers, Jorge Cerdo Schumann, Najla Alayoubbi

landscape architect: LOLA Landscape Architects
structures, sustainability, cost consultancy: Royal Haskoning DHV
art: Petrit Halila

visualizations: Stefania Trozzi, Diego Iacono

The post OMA wins competition to revitalize tirana football stadium and its surrounding urban blocks appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Albania’s evolving architectural landscape has in recent years continued to welcome new architectural approaches that engage with the country’s layered history and striking natural landscapes. Since 2016, but more actively since 2020, Davide Macullo Architects has been contributing to this shift, building a growing portfolio across the country with an approach that avoids both nostalgic reconstructions and anonymous modernity. Working across a range of programs — from veterinary clinics to hillside housing — the studio approaches each project as a response to its surroundings, drawing on local culture, materiality, and terrain, mixed with a subtly sculptural approach. ‘The ambitions of a project must always respond to the needs of the place where we operate,’ founding architect Davide Macullo tells designboom. ‘Our designs emerge from their context.’

This ethos is central to three of the Swiss practice’s major upcoming projects: The Leaves in Vlore, Valona Hills on the southern coast, and The Seed in the forested hills outside Tirana. Each is shaped by a different landscape, but a common thread is an architectural language that foregrounds openness, ecological sensitivity, and human comfort. With the ongoing Rezi Dream Hotel, a project inspired by Albania’s historic citadels and embedded into its terrain, these new residential developments extend the same logic: designing with, rather than over, the land. For the architect, this practice particularly becomes meaningful when it reflects the place it stands in and the people it’s meant for. ‘Our aim,’ he says, ‘is for these buildings to integrate harmoniously into their surroundings — enriching the environment and making people feel at ease through their interaction with light, color, and form, while also inspiring curiosity about their meaning.’ Read on to learn more about the concepts behind the studio’s upcoming projects and for our full conversation with Davide Macullo.

all images courtesy of Davide Macullo Architects

protruding planters wrap the fragmented facade of the leaves

‘Our approach is deeply rooted in context. While each project has its own unique personality — shaped by the choices and desires of the client — it is always seamlessly integrated into its surroundings,’ Davide Macullo continues. ‘We draw inspiration from the local environment, fully aware that once built, a project becomes an inseparable part of the landscape.’ In Vlore, between the sea and the mountains, Davide Macullo Architects’ The Leaves is envisioned as a sculptural embodiment of the dualities of this philosophy.

Currently in its concept phase, the residential tower will be structured as two interlocking volumes that rotate gently upon themselves, recalling the land’s elevated ridges and carved valleys. This fluid gesture catches and softens the Mediterranean light across its surfaces, while the building’s three-dimensional facade, an intricate grid of geometric planters, anchors vegetation directly into its skin. The facade is further formed by prefabricated concrete panels tinted in five earthy hues, capturing the chromatic shifts of the Albanian landscape across the seasons. These leaf-like projections offer passive climatic responses: sheltering interiors from summer heat and welcoming winter light in. For Macullo, such formal qualities are never about pure aesthetics, but in reality they emerge from a humanistic philosophical framework that treats architecture as ‘a bridge between the DNA of a place and its future.’ Each project, he adds, is imagined as ‘a living organism, one that rises from the land with wide, curious eyes, attentive ears, breathing spaces, and open arms, embracing its inhabitants with love.’

in conversation with Davide Macullo about the studio’s ongoing developments in Albania

conical volumes of valona hills sit along albania’s coast

In this sense, The Leaves grows into its space, a sentiment echoed in the upcoming Valona Hills scheme sited along Albania’s southern coast. These residential towers are also conceived as an extension of Albania’s dramatic natural scenes and shaped by the richness of the country’s local culture. Created in collaboration with S&L Studio, Valona Hills’ design evokes a serene Mediterranean sensibility, embracing the openness and sociability of Mediterranean towns and intertwined with references to the region’s terraced agricultural heritage.

The cluster of conical buildings is organic in form and materiality, rhythmically settling into the terrain and inviting greenery to weave throughout the voids of the facades, rooftops, and terraces — transforming the scheme into a living system. ‘Buildings are not separate entities from their surroundings; rather, they are an integral part of the environment,’ Davide Macullo tells designboom.

Valona Hills, located along Albania’s southern coast

This commitment to creating architecture that is considerate of its context, which in turn allows it to shape place, extends beyond the spatial context to encompass the community. The scheme of Valona Hills thus foregrounds public gathering spaces and deliberately reduces density to address local priorities. Throughout, the design carves out gathering spaces and privileges the slower pace of pedestrian life, prioritizing walkability and expansive views to foster a sense of openness and stillness for its residents. This is reinforced by the architectural identity of the volumes that modulate between solid and void, marked by softening vertical articulations and soft curves animated by micro-landscapes of terraced gardens. ‘The key is always to create spaces that make people feel at ease — ensuring that the built environment is coherent and in harmony with its surroundings,’ adds the architect.

This emphasis on ease is not incidental, as Macullo sees the role of the architect not as form-maker, but as someone who observes, listens, and responds. ‘We infuse our work with a strong humanistic approach, drawing from anthropology, psychology, and other disciplines,’ he says. ‘Architecture allows us to organise our thoughts, not by prioritizing isolated elements, but by recognising that each component shapes human behaviour.’

the design evokes a serene Mediterranean sensibility

the seed rises from its verdant landscape as fluid gestures

In the forested foothills above Tirana, The Seed translates the same design ethos of its coastal counterpart into a softer, more earthbound language. Low, elliptical volumes emerge from the terrain, guided by the grain of the land. ‘Rather than adhering to a rigid formal code, our approach is guided by an invisible yet dynamic framework — one shaped by the joy of discovery and a profound appreciation for life in all its forms,’ Davide Macullo reflects. Clad in warm-toned stone and natural materials, the architecture here favours horizontality and calm. Terraced gardens spill from balconies and rooftops while retaining walls loosely recall the agricultural stone enclosures common to the region.

These reference points are embraced not as nostalgic gestures, but as subtle reinforcements of the site’s cultural memory. ‘We believe that architecture’s ultimate goal is not just to create spaces but to shape places — places where individuals can experience life in both intimate and shared ways,’ Macullo says. The project also upholds the studio’s ethos of pedestrian-first planning, introducing a slow, walkable landscape that foregrounds openness and social ease. Over 70% of the site is left to greenery, reinforcing a feeling of living within nature, enhanced by a spatial framework that avoids over-densification.

The Seed sits the forested foothills above Tirana

For Macullo, this long-term engagement with Albania — now spanning over a decade — has become something of a collaborative journey. ‘We’ve become part of an internal organization where we contribute personally and, in turn, are enriched through exchange,’ he shares. ‘The cross-cultural dynamic that has emerged in recent years in Albania is a powerful and positive force, blending local and global perspectives through profound mutual respect.’

clad in warm-toned stone and natural materials

terraced gardens spill from balconies and rooftops,

Valona Hills draws references from the region’s terraced agricultural heritage

the scheme foregrounds public gathering spaces and deliberately reduces density to address local priorities

the building rotates upon itself to offer reflective surfaces for the Mediterranean light

a hieratic facade of geometric planters allows for greenery to take root within the architecture

these projections echo the leaves of the treetops, the refraction of light and shaded parts

The post davide macullo on drawing from albania’s heritage & terrain for upcoming residential towers appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Envisioned to rise in Vlore, Albania’s Riviera, The Leaves by Davide Macullo Architects is an extension of its dramatic natural surroundings. The tower is an organic expression of nature, light, and place, seamlessly integrating into the terrain, its form responding to the land’s undulating contours and the rising treetops. Structured in two interlocking volumes, the building rotates upon itself to offer reflective surfaces for the Mediterranean light, while a three-dimensional hieratic facade of geometric planters allows for lush greenery to take root within its architecture. Prefabricated concrete panels, shaded in five tones to mirror the surrounding nature’s palette across the four seasons, further embed the structure within its context.

all images courtesy of Davide Macullo Architects

Davide Macullo carves geometric facade echoing the treetrops

Positioned between the sea and mountains, facing the sunset, the site’s geological formations guide the architectural approach. Davide Macullo Architects’ design references the natural forces shaping the land — its elevated ridges and carved valleys — embracing a philosophy of building in harmony with place rather than imposing upon it. The Leaves’ rotating volumes create reflective surfaces that interact with the ever-changing daylight, while the facade’s protruding elements deconstruct the volume, making it permeable and lightweight. These projections echo the leaves of the treetops, the refraction of light and shaded parts, offering sun protection in the summer and allowing the sun to filter into the interiors during winter months.

Avoiding technological interventions and ensuring a genuine approach to the Genius Loci, attention to sustainability is achieved through architectural elements alone. The perfectly square grid of the floor plan highlights the building’s central role relative to the land’s undulations. The square, being a centripetal form, acts as a pivot for the rotation of both its context and the projections, which evoke a spiral or helix movement.

envisioned to rise in Vlore, Albania’s Riviera

The Leaves by Davide Macullo Architects is an extension of its dramatic natural surroundings

the building rotates upon itself to offer reflective surfaces for the Mediterranean light

a hieratic facade of geometric planters allows for greenery to take root within the architecture

structured in two interlocking volumes

these projections echo the leaves of the treetops, the refraction of light and shaded parts

the site’s geological formations guide the architectural approach

project info:

name: The Leaves
architect: Davide Macullo Architects | @davidemaculloarchitects

location: Vlore, Albania

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom

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Davide Macullo Architects unveils their design for the Rezi Dream Hotel, nestled within the coastal landscape of Vlöre, Albania. The project, currently under construction, reinterprets the relationship between the built environment and human nature, resulting in a space that prioritizes emotional well-being, social cohesion, and a deeper connection to the rhythms of the earth. 

The architectural narrative draws inspiration from historical citadels, with the hotel forming a contemporary counterpart to the fortified settlements that once defined the region. Within this framework, guests experience a gradual immersion into a sanctuary. Locally sourced materials link the hotel with its environment, with facades clad in a distinctive brick pattern that resonates with the earthy tones of the region. The concrete structure blends into the coastal terrain, appearing as a natural extension of the land.

images courtesy of Davide Macullo Architects

the project reflects humanity’s evolving pursuit of balance

Davide Macullo Architects’ Rezi Dream Hotel aims to push the boundaries of sustainable design by exploring the symbiotic relationship between architecture and the human condition. Designed in collaboration with S&L Studio Tirana, the hotel is conceived as a modern citadel, embedded within the terrain, offering glimpses of the Adriatic Sea. The Lugano-based architect’s vision transcends the construction of a hospitality space, positioning it as a catalyst for reflection and growth. The project reflects the transition from childhood to maturity, mirroring humanity’s own evolution toward a more balanced and conscious existence. This philosophy takes shapes in the design through fluid spatial transitions that facilitate interaction, introspection, and a sense of belonging within the landscape. Spanning a total floor area of 9,646 square meters, the design unfolds across eight levels above ground and a one-level basement, with each level carefully positioned to maximize views and enhance the guest experience.

the architectural narrative draws inspiration from historical citadels

locally sourced materials link the hotel with its environment

a distinctive brick pattern resonates with the earthy tones of the region

the concrete structure blends into the coastal terrain

Rezi Dream Hotel reflects the transition from childhood to maturity

project info:

name: Dream Hotel in Vlore

architect: Davide Macullo Architects | @davidemaculloarchitects

location: Valona, Albania

building area: 1,449 square meters

total floor area: 9,646 square meters

architect of record: S&L Studio, Tirana

design collaborators: Lorenza Tallarini, Aileen Forbes-Munnelly, Andrea Carlotta Conti, Antonello Scala, Valentina Perazzolo, Alberto Gullà

site area: 2,400 square meters

basement floor area: 3,530 square meters

above ground floor area: 6,116 square meters

volume: 32,314 cubic meters

renders: Davide Macullo Architects 

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Rising from the verdant mountainside of Dhërmi, Albania, Bofill Taller de Arquitectura’s Red Sol Resort commands attention with its bold hue and fortress-like silhouette. From afar, the striking geometric massing appears to float above the lush terrain. Winding exterior stairways, rooftop terraces, and dramatic walkways carve out a labyrinthine journey through the cascading volumes of the resort, offering guests a variety of vantage points overlooking the shimmering Ionian Sea.

all images courtesy of Bofill Taller de Arquitectura

stairs, bridges, and pathways define Red Sol Resort in albania

Designing for the Albanian Riviera, the Spanish firm Bofill Taller de Arquitectura begins by addressing its formidable topography: jagged rock formations, steep mountain slopes, and dense undergrowth rooted by pine and cypress trees. Red Sol Resort responds by overlaying a precise fine grid on the ground plane, organizing a series of squares in a plan that systematically adapts to the challenging contours of the site. In section, these volumes shift up and down, producing the diverse spatial qualities needed for the hotel pavilions, apartments, and villas of the resort.

As the architecture zigzags down toward the water, its vertical movement mirrors the rhythm of the surrounding mountains. Painted in a vivid earthy red, the resort with its fortress-like presence contrasts with the green and blue around. Interconnected by a network of exterior stairs, bridges, and pathways, the various blocks include pools, patios, and secluded lookouts. 

the resort rises from the verdant mountainside of Dhërmi, Albania

Red Sol Resort commands attention with its bold hue and fortress-like silhouette

winding exterior stairways, rooftop terraces, and dramatic walkways carve out a labyrinthine journey

offering guests a variety of vantage points

Bofill Taller de Arquitectura begins by addressing the topography

Red Sol Resort responds to the terrain by overlaying a precise, fine grid on the ground plane

a series of squares systematically adapts to the challenging contours

from afar, the striking geometric massing appears to float above the lush terrain

project info:

name: Red Sol Resort

architects: Bofill Taller de Arquitectura | @bofillarquitectura

location: Dhërmi, Albania

The post bofill taller de arquitectura’s fortress-like resort cascades down albanian coastline mountains appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

In Tirana, Albania, Swiss architect Valerio Olgiati plans to unveil Rruga Adem Jashari, a mixed-use development that seeks to integrate urban living with its surrounding landscape. Positioned at the edge of the city grid and adjacent to a park, the project introduces three distinctive red concrete towers and a white ziggurat centerpiece, combining residential, hospitality, and retail spaces. Construction is expected to start in the fall of 2025. 

the white ziggurat centerpiece | all images © Archive Olgiati

Linking Tirana’s Urban Core and Natural Landscape

Situated at the boundary between Tirana’s urban core and a neighboring park, the Rruga Adem Jashari project capitalizes on its transitional location. The design by Valerio Olgiati features an open plaza at its base that extends across the street to connect the city grid with the natural landscape. Pine trees line the plaza, softening the boundary and creating a visual and physical link between the two environments.

The Swiss architect’s concept draws from the idea of stacking blocks to create monumental structures. Three towers rise from a shared red concrete base, their facades dominated by exposed structural pillars that highlight the forces at play within the building. These pillars follow a precise logic, giving the towers a distinct, sculptural appearance as they align with the urban grid.

the towers’ red pigmented concrete gives them an earthy tone

Contrasting Earthy Towers and a Sculptural White Ziggurat

Between the towers, a stepped ziggurat provides a contrasting form and color. Constructed in white concrete, the ziggurat serves as a centerpiece for the development, featuring terraces planted with pine trees to create a layered, garden-like appearance. Beyond its visual impact, it houses retail spaces and connects the plaza with the underground levels. The towers’ red pigmented concrete gives them an earthy tone that appears to emerge naturally from the site. In contrast, the white ziggurat introduces a conceptual element that stands apart, reflecting a more abstract and sculptural intention within the development.

The towers are designed with flexibility in mind. The structural layout allows for adaptable floor plans, accommodating a range of uses for apartments and hotel suites. Meanwhile, the ziggurat includes retail spaces that extend underground, maximizing the use of the site for both public and private functions.

the project introduces three distinctive red concrete towers

adaptable floor plans accommodate a range of uses

the project is designed to combine residential, hospitality, and retail spaces

the towers are designed with flexibility in mind

foyer of the tower

Rruga Adem Jashari seeks to integrate urban living with its surrounding landscape

project info: 

name: Rruga Adem Jashari
architect: Valerio Olgiati | @valerioolgiati
location: Rruga Adem Jashari, Tirana, Albania

responsible architects: Gregory Degiacomi, Eleonora Minchio

client: X One Sh.p.k., Tirana, Albania
structural engineer: AEI Progetti, Firenze, Italy
electrical planner: Elteknik International AG, Stans, Switzerland
HVAC/ plumbing planner: Anion Sh.p.k., Tirana, Albania
gross floor area: 155,000 sqm

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World Monuments Fund (WMF) announces the 25 sites on the 2025 World Monuments Watch. The international, non-profit organization first launched the list in 1996. It is a biennial, nomination-based program to build public awareness on how important it is to preserve historic sites and heritage. Among the 25 sites on the 2025 World Monuments Watch list, the Moon makes it for the first time. WMF says this is a way to recognize and preserve humanity’s first steps beyond earth, now that researchers and entities keep testing its properties. This year’s Watch includes a wide variety of cultural heritage sites facing major challenges. 

The organization enlists Gaza’s Historic Urban Fabric in Palestine; Ukraine’s Teacher’s House in Kyiv; the Historic Lighthouses of Maine in the US; Africa’s Swahili Coast; the Old City of Antakya, Turkey; and the Chapel of the Sorbonne in France, to name a few. In total, the 25 sites represent 29 countries across five continents and the Moon. These historic sites and landscapes are also located in Albania, China, India, Japan, Mongolia, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, Portugal, Spain, and Tanzania. The list is a result of over 200 nominations reviewed and selected by an independent panel of international heritage experts.

Cinema Studio Namibe | photo by Walter Fernandes; all images courtesy of World Monuments Fund unless stated

Regional trends from climate change to conflict

As the heritage experts review the nominations for the 2025 World Monuments Watch, they find specific regional trends. Climate change is a critical issue for sites and communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, while it’s the rapid urbanization in Asia and the Pacific. Nominations from Europe and North America have issues with insufficient funding and resources, and those from Latin America and the Caribbean report tourism as a main concern.

Conflict and natural disaster are the pressing challenges around the Middle East and North Africa regions. After the announcement of the 2025 World Monuments Watch list, the non-profit organization’s team is set to evaluate the needs of the nominees and co-design plans for advocacy, preservation, and fundraising. After the funds are raised, the World Monuments Fund expects to collaborate with local partners in these sites to develop a preservation project to help maintain these historic places. So far, WMF has secured two million USD in funding.

ruins of Qasr al-Basha after a December 2023 airstrike, January 2024 | photo courtesy of Getty/Anadolu

Complete list of the 2025 World Monuments Watch

The complete 2025 World Monuments Watch list includes the Monasteries of the Drino Valley in Albania; the Cinema Studio Namibe in Angola; the Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System around Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru; the Buddhist Grottoes of Maijishan and Yungang in China; the Swahili Coast Heritage Sites in Comoros, Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania; the Chapel of the Sorbonne in France; and the Serifos Historic Mining Landscape in Greece. The remaining 2025 World Monuments Watch lists the Bhuj Historic Water Systems and the Musi River Historic Buildings in India; and the Noto Peninsula Heritage Sites in Japan. 

The list also includes the Erdene Zuu Buddhist Monastery in Mongolia; the Jewish Heritage of Debdou in Morocco; the Chief Ogiamien’s House in Nigeria; the Gaza Historic Urban Fabric in Palestine; the Waru Waru Agricultural Fields in Peru; and the Terracotta Sculptures of Alcobaça Monastery in Portugal; the Ruins of Old Belchite in Spain; the Water Reservoirs of the Tunis Medina in Tunisia; the City of Antakya in Turkey; the Kyiv Teacher’s House in Ukraine; the Belfast Assembly Rooms in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom; the Great Trading Path and the Historic Lighthouses of Maine in the United States; the Barotse Floodplain Cultural Landscape in Zambia; and the Moon.

the Ramkund stepwell near Hamirsar Lake has stored water for Bhuj inhabitants for centuries

aerial landscape of a Waru Waru agricultural field

the Three Buddha temples at Erdene Zuu house a collection of Buddhist artifacts

Buzz Aldrin’s first steps on the Moon

Snow-covered ruins of Old Belchite

rubble from the Antakya earthquake

Teacher’s House in central Kyiv, prior to sustaining damage in the war

Storm surf at Portland Breakwater Light (“Bug Light”), South Portland | photo by Dominic Trapani

mining loading bridge at Mega Livadi, Serifos | photo by Orestis Karamanlis

project info:

name: 2025 World Monuments Watch

organization: World Monuments Fund (WMF) | @worldmonumentsfund

The post the moon, ukraine and gaza among 25 sites on the world monuments watch list for 2025 appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Spanish architecture studios Selgascano and FRPO has designed the Rozafa Hotel Tower, a contemporary addition to Shkodra, Albania’s rich architectural tapestry. Shkodra, known for its cultural and historical significance, features a mix of Illyrian, Roman, Ottoman, Venetian, and neoclassical architectural influences. Selgascano’s approach respects this diversity, aiming to integrate the new tower into the city’s urban fabric while celebrating its heritage.

Strategically located, the hotel aspires to become an architectural icon that adds playful color and geometries to Shkodra’s skyline while encouraging economic and tourism development. The design prioritizes harmony with its surroundings by ensuring that the tower is perceived on a human scale. This approach aims to make the building feel like an integral part of the community, encouraging locals to embrace it as their own.

visualizations © Drawfield

Vibrant Geometries and Dynamic Facades

Designing its Rozafa Hotel Tower, Selgascano and FRPO took inspiration from the site, with three primary facades oriented toward the region’s most notable features: the Albanian Alps, Rozafa Castle with the Drin and Buna rivers, and Shkodra Lake. Each lobe of the building is designed to maximize views in its direction, allowing residents and visitors to choose between Lakeview, Mountainview, or Riverview apartments.

The tower’s fragmented geometry creates dynamic facades that respond to the surrounding landscape while visually lightening the structure. This design reduces the perception of the building as a monolithic mass and enhances its integration into the urban and natural context. The varying facades also allow natural light to penetrate the interiors and create a shifting visual identity throughout the day.

Rozafa Hotel Tower by FRPO + Selgascano will enrich Shkodra’s urban and cultural landscape

selgascano curates A Palette of Colors and Textures

The triangular plan ensures sunlight reaches the east, south, and west facades, while the building’s deep terraces provide shade and protection from Shkodra’s Mediterranean climate. These terraces, equipped with parasols and railings, extend the functionality of indoor spaces, improving energy efficiency and offering comfortable outdoor areas that connect users to the surrounding environment. Horizontal planes and a variety of wood textures give the tower a natural aesthetic that complements Shkodra’s environment. Yellow, orange, and light green accents on railings and parasols echo the city’s atmosphere and landscapes, enhancing the tower’s visual connection to its setting.

The tower is divided into three distinct sections: commercial spaces occupy the lower levels, residential units dominate the middle floors, and the upper levels house a luxury hotel. This organization minimizes mechanical requirements and ensures programmatic clarity, with dedicated elevators and services for each section. The tower’s lobed geometry creates three vertical crevices that house separate entrances for its commercial, residential, and hotel components. This thoughtful arrangement ensures easy access while maintaining a cohesive urban connection with the existing Rozafa Hotel.

the tower’s design balances iconic architecture with a human-scale approach

The residential units are designed for comfort, with layouts that maximize natural light and panoramic views. Protected terraces extend interior spaces, while wood finishes add warmth to the interiors. Glazed exteriors enhance the connection to the landscape while maintaining privacy and shading. The uppermost levels house a hotel that offers luxurious accommodations and services, including rooftop terraces with gardens, pools, and relaxation areas. These spaces provide guests with sweeping views of Shkodra’s natural and urban landscapes, creating an urban oasis at the tower’s peak.

The ground floors of the tower house commercial spaces, including shops, cafés, and retail outlets, designed to integrate with the surrounding streetscape. Transparent facades connect these areas with the city, fostering a lively urban environment.

three main facades offer views of the Albanian Alps, Rozafa Castle, and Shkodra Lake

dynamic geometries and textured facades enhance lightness and urban integration

terraces with deep facades provide shade, energy efficiency, and outdoor comfort

vibrant colors and wooden textures create a natural and inviting aesthetic

rooftop gardens and pools create an urban oasis with panoramic views

project info:

project title: Rozafa Hotel Tower

architecture: Selgascano | @selgascano, FRPO | @frpo.es

location: Shkodra, Albania

lead architects: Pablo Oriol, Fernando Rodríguez, José Selgas, Lucía Cano
collaborators: FRPO (Adrián Sánchez, Loreto Mazariegos), selgascano (Paolo Tringali, Inés Olavarrieta)
consultants: Mecanismo (engineering)
area: 39,000 square meters
status: competition winner

physical model: Gilberto Ruiz Lopes
visualizations: © Drawfield | @drawfield_studio

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