Architecture as a Tool.

tool -noun

1. anything used as a means of accomplishing a task or purpose

2. a person manipulated by another for the latter’s own ends; cat’s-paw

During my visit one of my goals was to figure out what architecture in Tirana, how the tool “architecture” is used. My general feeling is that both the tool “architecture” and the city have been abused, destroyed and deformed by political motives. 

Today there is a big debate about one of the communistic landmarks in Tirana. The Enver Hoxha Mausoleum is a former mausoleum in Tirana, Albania. This pyramid-shaped structure was designed by the daughter and son-in-law of the late communist leader Enver Hoxha. It was supposed to end up a museum about his legacy (in addition to his mausoleum), but became a conference center and party venue. The 17,000 meters square complex will be destroyed so that the new Albanian parliament may be built on its place. Now it is a subject of debate amongst many architects because they feel the destruction is an excuse for political attention and a place in history books.

The History of a Capital

Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614. During the 1930s and 1940s under the Italian fascistic regime, several significant urban interventions were performed. The centre of Tirana was the project of Florestano de Fausto and Armando Brasini, well known architects of the Mussolini period in Italy. The Palace of Brigades (of the former monarch), the ministries buildings, the National Bank and the Municipality are their work. The Dëshmoret e Kombit (National Martyrs) Boulevard was built in 1930 and given the name Zogu I Boulevard. In the communist period, the part from Skënderbej Square up to the train station was named Stalin Boulevard.

 After World War II the communists seized power, under the dictatorship of Enver Hoxha, developing socialist-styled apartment complexes and factories and destroying some of the oldest and culturally and historically most significant buildings and urban fabric.

After the collapse of the communist system in the late 80’s, Tirana experienced a chaotic development as (post-) modern high rise buildings started to be constructed without planning, and illegal structures rose on public areas. The population tripled over a period of only 15 years. New informal districts started to form around the city as internal migrants gathered from around the country.

During this period, let’s call it the post-occupational period, a kind of unspoiled architecture was possible.