New York-based architectural firm Archi-Tectonics has revealed plans for Festival City, an ambitious 180,000 square-meter mixed-use development that will reshape the urban fabric of Tirana, Albania. The comprehensive masterplan, designed for the Laprakë neighborhood, represents a bold vision for sustainable urban growth that combines high-density living with ecological principles and community-centered design.

Conceived as part of Stefano Boeri's broader Tirana 2030 vision, Festival City challenges conventional approaches to urban development by creating an integrated ecosystem of residential, retail, and public spaces. The project is strategically located between Tirana's city center and the airport, positioning it in a neighborhood primed for significant growth and transformation.

The centerpiece of the development consists of three striking residential towers ranging from 26 to 31 stories, positioned along the main thoroughfare. The design employs a sophisticated tapering strategy, where the building masses gradually reduce in scale as they approach the surrounding smaller-scale neighborhood context. This thoughtful approach ensures that the metropolitan-scale development integrates smoothly with the existing urban fabric while maintaining neighborhood intimacy.

"Festival City is designed to integrate rather than impose," explains Winka Dubbeldam, Founding Partner of Archi-Tectonics. "We see density as a tool for urban and ecological benefit." This philosophy drives the project's innovative approach to urban planning, where increased density serves as a means to enhance rather than compromise the quality of urban life.

At ground level, the masterplan introduces an extensive network of tree-lined boulevards, playgrounds, and public plazas that seamlessly connect the new development with the existing neighborhood fabric. By concentrating the residential and commercial programming within the vertical towers, the design liberates substantial ground-level space for community use, creating planted courtyards, gardens, and green terraces that actively support local biodiversity.

These outdoor spaces are conceived as active commons, providing residents with quiet, shaded retreats that serve as microclimates contributing to cleaner air and cooler temperatures during Albania's hot summer months. This approach represents a form of urban re-wilding, positioning Festival City as a landscape-driven development rather than a purely architectural intervention.

The project draws inspiration from traditional Albanian architectural typologies, where residential spaces are typically layered above active retail environments. Festival City reinterprets this familiar pattern by embedding commercial programs throughout the bases of the residential blocks, ensuring vibrant sidewalk life and pedestrian activity. The green courtyards connect directly to these commercial uses, creating natural gathering spaces that bring residents and visitors together in shared civic experiences.

Sustainability is woven throughout the project through both spatial design strategies and advanced technical solutions. Archi-Tectonics has incorporated "sponge city" principles—an innovative urban planning concept focused on water management solutions—to integrate permeable surfaces, rain gardens, and extensive green roof systems. These features work together to regulate stormwater runoff while supporting diverse urban ecosystems.

The facade treatments combine functional shading fins with pixelated glass and stone materials, creating a distinctive architectural expression while reducing solar heat gain and improving the buildings' overall energy performance. This technical approach supports the project's broader environmental goals while creating a unique visual identity for the development.

Festival City represents a significant step forward in sustainable urban development for Tirana, demonstrating how thoughtful design can accommodate growth while enhancing environmental quality and community life. The project is expected to serve as a model for future urban development in Albania and the broader Balkan region.