Dutch architecture studio JA Joubert Architecture has unveiled a striking new mixed-use development in Tirana, Albania, featuring undulating towers designed to echo the natural landscape of the surrounding hills and mountains. The Lake Views development, completed beside Tirana Park Lake, spans 135,000 square meters across two sites and houses 1,150 residential units along with commercial and public spaces.
The Rotterdam-based firm designed the complex with a distinctive undulating form that was intentionally created to "slope and fold into the terrain" while avoiding repetitive block construction. Each tower features cascading planted terraces that not only draw natural light into the buildings but also provide residents with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. These green terraces were specifically designed to mirror the mountainous terrain that characterizes the Tirana region.
"By creating this undulating height and positioning the facing facades carefully, we could have views from and through the project, creating a more democratic neighborhood with its own identity," explained Marc Joubert, the studio's founder. He added that "the full-width terraces with planters for the end apartments create a green view, echoing the green hills and mountains surrounding Tirana."
The architectural design follows a modular grid system that determined the layout of the towers, which feature glazed facades complemented by protruding terraces. At street level, the architects created a pedestrian-friendly courtyard environment where greenery-lined pathways connect the commercial spaces located in the towers' lower levels. This ground-level design prioritizes walkability and community interaction.
The larger of the two development sites contains four towers that rise from a curved three-story base volume housing commercial spaces. The residential apartments are arranged in a staggered formation above this commercial foundation, while a three-story parking facility is located underground. The second, smaller site features two towers positioned above a single S-shaped volume that includes one floor of commercial space at ground level, similarly surrounded by green spaces.
"By twisting the buildings, we could create calm and quiet public and green spaces on the ground floor available to all the citizens of Tirana," Joubert noted. This design approach reflects the firm's commitment to creating spaces that serve not just residents but the broader community.
The Lake Views complex represents the latest addition to Tirana's rapidly evolving architectural landscape, which has experienced significant growth in innovative projects by international architecture firms. According to JA Joubert Architecture, the development reflects Albania's broader architectural ambitions that "go beyond form-making to address resilience, liveability, and the quality of shared urban space."
Tirana's recent architectural boom has included several notable projects, such as a veterinary hospital constructed with sculptural concrete walls and a pair of angular skyscrapers designed to evoke "the grace of ballet." These projects demonstrate the Albanian capital's commitment to cutting-edge design and urban development. The Lake Views development continues this trend while specifically addressing the integration of natural elements and community-focused design in urban residential projects.
