Expo Albania

Site’s gentle topography allowed for a thoughtful program organization with minimal excavation. Different functions are carefully distributed - parking garage and storage facilities for the main exhibition hall are positioned at lower levels; traffic is kept underground, and the ground level is a tranquil, pedestrian-friendly environment enriched with various amenities. The first floor is dedicated to meeting spaces, while hotel rooms on the upper floors offer panoramic views of the Farkë lake and city centre.

Our spatial design aimed to integrate several dualities in functions: public vs. controlled entrance, representative vs. service, and daily use vs. temporary use. Public amenities - hotel with cafes, bars, and restaurants are organized closer to the northern entrance, with easy year-round accessibility and outdoor spaces shielded from highway noise by parks and greenery. The main exhibition hall, intended for larger periodic events, is positioned in the south, minimizing its impact on surrounding areas when not actively hosting events. 

The planned exhibition centre layout is modular, allowing for seamless reconfiguration to accommodate various event formats and sizes need (large expo events, concert performances, simultaneously occurring smaller events). The large multipurpose pavilion transitions seamlessly into exercise studios, pop-up libraries, or smaller art exhibitions. Outdoors, dedicated areas attract joggers, skateboarders, dog walkers, children, and elders, all drawn by the events and vibrant community.