Submitted by WA ContentsSelgascano and FRPO win competition for Rozafa Tower featuring a cracked colorful facadeAlbania Architecture News - Dec 17, 2024 - 13:59 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Spanish architecture practices Selgascano and FRPO have won an international competition for Rozafa Tower in Shkodr, Albania. The 39,000-square-metre tower features a cracked colorful facade oriented in three sides.With its lush surroundings and rich history, Shkodra, one of Albania's oldest and most culturally diverse cities, provides a distinctive setting. Its rich and varied history is reflected in its architecture.East viewThree programmatic blocks make up the tower's height: the first three stories are dedicated to commercial space, the next 20 floors are dedicated to residential space, and the final seven floors are used by the hotel.The city has a distinctive architectural context that includes neoclassical buildings, Ottoman and Venetian influences, and historic Roman and Illyrian defenses. In order to create an addition that enhances the urban landscape, respects the historical legacy, and advances Shkodra's modern growth, Selgascano and FRPO have always considered the new tower to be a part of this diversity.Given the tower's advantageous location, there is a chance to design an architectural landmark that will enhance the metropolitan skyline and encourage tourism and economic growth in the area. The tower's goal is undoubtedly to become a monument in the field of modern architecture, but the most crucial aspect of our work is to preserve the city's human scale. One of the most important aspects of the building's architecture is its size.South viewEven though it is a tower, careful consideration has been taken to make sure that the structure is viewed on a human scale and in harmony with its surroundsthat is, for the short-distance surroundings that the average person would encounter while walking around. The tower will be successful if the people believe it is a part of them, if they embrace it, and if it eventually becomes a part of this city.With the Albanian Alps to the northeast, the Rozafa Castle and the Drin and Buna rivers to the south, and the Skhodra Lake to the northwest, the tower's three main faces are oriented toward the most important views of the surrounding terrain in the area.The tower was designed with the intention of maximizing the breathtaking views of the surroundings. Depending on its orientation and viewsLakeview, Mountainview, or Rivervieweach lobe of the structure thus takes on a distinct personality. It is up to the residents to decide which is best for them.Facade detailIn order to visibly reduce its volume and produce a number of dynamic facades that react to the surrounding vistas, the tower's form is purposefully vibrating. By preventing the impression of a monolithic mass that might conflict with the natural and historical surroundings, this fragmentation also makes it possible for a more seamless integration with the urban scale. In addition to giving the structure a lighter appearance, the geometry's fracture permits more natural light to enter and provides views from other perspectives."This design decision addresses the need to make the building lighter and less imposing, maintaining a visual and symbolic connection with the key elements of Shkodra's landscape, but also making the building completely different depending on the moment of the day, transforming it in a timing machine," said Selgascano."The design of the tower is inspired by contemporary architectural trends, but the project also takes into consideration the invariants of architecture, such as sunlight and shadow.""The substantially triangular geometry of the plan denies the north orientation: the three facades are oriented to the east, south and west, which ensures sunlight all around the tower," the office added.Deep facades, which take advantage of the shadow to shelter the building from solar radiation in the summer and rain in the winter, are necessary due to Shkodra's warm Mediterranean environment, which is also extremely rainy. The proposal suggests a perimeter cushion of outdoor spaces on all floors rather than using the conventional curtain-wall method.Access viewThese terraces preserve the inside glass facade while increasing the use of residences and hotel rooms. Every terrace has a railing and a sizable parasol around the outside, which expands the amount of shade that can be cast inside and creates a sense of security that makes the terraces cozier. This ensures the building's optimal energy performance and the lovely views of the surroundings.The importance of colorsIn order to generate a sense of lightness and to stylize the building's mass, the tower's volume was built using a series of planes and horizontal lines in various color tones. The new skyscraper appears natural and appealing because all of the planes are coated in wood of various textures.To complete the chromatism of the facades, yellow, orange, and light green paint are applied to the parasols, railings, and slab edges.This palette of hues has been chosen to complement the city's climate and atmosphere, the surrounding scenery, and the sky.Each block is separated from the one directly above by a level of facilities. This method avoids concentrating gear on the roofs and shortens the ventilation ducts. Each program has its own elevators and vertical communications. Ducts and service rooms on every floor are part of the central core.Terrace viewThree vertical crevicesOn the ground floor, the tower's three entranceshotel, residential, and commercialare arranged neatly and distinctively. Three vertical cracks in the volume (to the north, southeast, and southwest) are created by the floor plan's lobed geometry, and they make the ideal locations for the entrances.In keeping with the present Rozafa Hotel entrance and drop-off location, the hotel's access is located beneath the northern crevice. The commercial access is situated in front of the intersection of Kol Idromeno Street and Bulevard Sknderbeu, near the base of the southeast crevice.The apartments' private residential entry is located in the most remote region of the entire urban boundary, across Vilson Street, next to the garage ramp, through the lower portion of the southwest crevice."The residential areas of the tower are designed to offer comfort, and exceptional views in all directions. The apartments vary in size and layout, adapting to different needs and lifestyles. Each residential unit is oriented to maximize natural light and panoramic views, creating living spaces connected to the environment," the studio explained."The perimeter terraces are protected by usable railings and parasols to expand the interior uses and give each home a special place to enjoy the views, the sun and the breeze. Floors, walls and ceilings are covered with wood of different shades and textures, giving the interior an exceptional warmth.""The exterior skin is completely glazed to maximize views and natural light, but at the same time is protected from the exterior by cast shadows," the office added.Rooftop poolTower top Hotel: an oasis with panoramic viewsThe hotel, which offers luxurious rooms, suites, and amenities, occupies the highest level of the tower. At the highest levels of the tower, where a number of verdant gardens provide a comprehensive view of outside areas, the hotel's floors are spaced to create a rich and varied spatial experience.There are several different types of rooms and suites with varying views and orientations spread across the hotel's levels. Terraces, balconies, and steps connect the hotel's services to the outdoor areas.With their swimming pools and lounging spots, the tower's rooftop terraces provide a one-of-a-kind experience while taking in the breathtaking panoramic views.This area is intended to serve as an urban sanctuary where residents and hotel visitors can relax and have fun. The bottom floor provides access to meeting spaces, dining options, bars, and a sophisticated lobby. A two-story block joins the tower to the existing Rozafa hotel, making it easier for visitors to enter and providing a seamless, unified area.Interior viewA commercial socle for urban lifeCommercial use is planned for the tower's bottom level, which will house stores, cafes, and other retail establishments. This business district blends harmoniously with the city, offering locals and tourists a vibrant gathering place. In contrast to the remainder of the tower, this section's facade uses a sequence of translucent glazed broken surfaces that animate urban life and create a visual interplay between the inside and external. One of the project's main components is its connection to the current Rozafa hotel.Both buildings are connected by a two-story block, which facilitates a constant flow of people and services. In addition to benefiting hotel visitors, this integration enhances the area's tourism offerings by offering a more comprehensive and alluring experience.AccessSensibilitytiredly referred to as "sustainability" these daysis a guiding concept in the tower's design. The building could employ a number of strategies to lessen its environmental impact, such as: using recyclable and locally sourced materials to reduce its carbon footprint; using renewable energy systems, like heat pumps and geothermal, to meet its energy needs; using energy-efficient lighting, natural ventilation, and water management technologies; and creating green spaces and landscaped terraces that enhance air quality and offer recreational areas.SitePlan schemeSolar diagramDiagramsAxonometric schemeGround level planCommercial level planHotel upper level planTypical housing floor panTypical housing floor panHotel pool floor planHotel Rooftop terraceHotel Rooftop roomsSectionModelSelgascano also won the first prize in an international competition to design an exhibition hall in Beijing, China. In addition, the firm and Diego Cano designed a house wrapped by recycled aluminum colourful tubes in Los Angeles hills in the United States.Project factsProject name:Rozafa TowerArchitects:Pablo Oriol, Fernando Rodrguez, Jos Selgas, Luca CanoFRPO:Adrin Snchez, Loreto MazariegosSelgascano:Paolo Tringali, Ins OlavarrietaLocation:Shkodr, AlbaniaConsultants:Mecanismo (engineering)Model:Gilberto Ruiz LopesArea: 39,000m2Date: July 2024All images Drawfield.All drawings Selgascano, FRPO.> via Selgascano