Renowned Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura and architecture firm OODA have revealed their ambitious design for the Oricon Tower, a striking 180-meter mixed-use skyscraper planned for Tirana, Albania. The project represents a significant addition to the Albanian capital's rapidly evolving skyline and is part of the city's comprehensive urban transformation initiative.
The tower will be strategically positioned near OODA's recently completed Bond Tower, contributing to the ongoing development of Tirana's urban landscape under the comprehensive Tirana 2030 Masterplan. This ambitious urban planning initiative, developed by Stefano Boeri Architetti, UNLAB, and IND, envisions creating a denser and more connected urban core while preserving and integrating essential green spaces and public areas throughout the metropolitan area.
Located on Dritan Hoxha Avenue, the Oricon Tower will serve as a crucial "urban gateway" marking the western entrance to the city. The building's positioning creates a vital connection between Tirana's established historic city fabric and the emerging developments along the important corridor that connects the airport to the city center. This strategic placement emphasizes the tower's role in mediating between traditional and contemporary urban elements.
The impressive 60,000-square-meter tower showcases a distinctive rectilinear form characterized by a sophisticated gridded concrete and glass structure. The design features protruding floor plates that extend beyond the façade, creating dramatic visual emphasis and highlighting the building's geometric precision. According to the architects, the design philosophy follows fundamental principles of proportion, structural clarity, and authentic material expression.
The architects have carefully selected concrete, marble, and glass as the primary materials, drawing inspiration from local building traditions while maintaining a decidedly contemporary character. This thoughtful material palette aims to create a sense of architectural coherence that respects the regional context while establishing a modern landmark. The building's base features a welcoming public plaza and an impressive double-height entrance lobby that establishes an open and inviting relationship between the building and its surrounding urban environment.
The Oricon Tower's programming demonstrates a sophisticated approach to mixed-use development. The lower levels will house modern office spaces and retail areas, while the middle section will contain residential units designed for urban living. The upper floors will feature a luxury hotel topped with a rooftop restaurant offering panoramic views over Tirana and the surrounding Albanian landscape. This vertical arrangement optimizes the building's relationship with the city and maximizes the spectacular views from higher floors.
Circulation within the tower has been carefully organized around a central core system that efficiently connects the lobbies of each program, optimizing both movement flow and usable space throughout the building. This design strategy ensures smooth transitions between different functions while maximizing the efficiency of the overall floor plate. Construction of the ambitious project is scheduled to commence in January 2026, marking another significant milestone in Tirana's architectural evolution.
The Oricon Tower joins several other notable international architectural projects contributing to Tirana's urban transformation. The Catalan firm Bofill Taller de Arquitectura has also made significant contributions with two towers that combine residential, commercial, and public functions. Additionally, Swiss architect Valerio Olgiati has presented a compelling proposal for Rruga Adem Jashari, a development specifically designed to integrate urban living with the surrounding natural landscape.
Other major ongoing projects in the city include Coldefy's innovative Public Administration Cluster, OMA/David Gianotten's comprehensive renovation of the historic Selman Stërmasi Stadium, and Oppenheim Architecture's new campus for the prestigious College of Europe. These projects collectively demonstrate Tirana's commitment to becoming a significant architectural destination while respecting its cultural heritage and natural environment.
