Architecture + Design - Volume XXV No 2 February 2008

Topic : International Project Feature

Page : 132


Signature in Steel - Tirana International Airtport, Rinas, Albania
Tirana International Airport is the national gateway to Albania, a country long shrouded in mystery and political isolation, buried in its own brand of communism for motr than 40 years. The involvement of a team of more than 40 nationalities in this project marks the opening up of the country to the rest of Europe.

The Crative Process: An Albania Solution
The function plan of airport was the starting point as a 'people processor' for air travel. The lifestyle of Albanians and their love to socialise outdoors was inegrated into the front of the airport. The areas in front of the arrival and departure doors were designed as piazzas. The arrivals' piazza took on a more significant role as the urbanlifestyle space as it is the first point to exit for the visitor. This piazza space distinguishes this airport from the others - conceived as a Mediterranean outdoor space, south facing, semi protected with a bistro/ café and a viewing platform. The piazza becomes a transit point in the dispersal of meters and greeters.

A key feature of the piazza was the viewing platform, incorporating signage. The completed viewing platform is tee-shaped on plan, but takes on a three-dimensional quality when viewed from below. Itstands as a solitary piece of concrete sculpture with inclined columns. Combinged wiht the main airport signage,it has became the focal point of the piazza.

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