A bizarre building in the middle of Albania's capital, the Pyramid of Tirana has been the site of continuous debate over its uncertain future. Built as a monument to the country's Stalinist leader, Enver Hoxha, construction of the pyramid-shaped structure completed shortly before the collapse of communism. 

As national attitudes began to change, the building shifted from a museum to a convention center, and has since functioned as a military base for NATO, a television studio, and a nightclub. Though not in complete disuse, the pyramid has sat dilapidated and vandalized for the past decade amidst debates over its preservation. The government had wanted to raze the structure in order to build a sleek new parliament building, but citizens and activists have wanted to see their communist heritage, however dark, preserved.

This is all to change now as designs to transform the communist-era pyramid into a Center for Technology, Art and Culture have been revealed. “The Pyramid of Tirana will rise again" said Winy Maas, co-founder of the firm MVRDV, who will lead the renovation, "by becoming a new centre of technology and learning for young people."

“It is a symbol for many Albanians" Maas continued. "For the older generation, it is a memory to the cultural events during communist times, for the recent generation it became the place to celebrate the new era. They will use it as a hangout, as a place to glide of, and for concerts and gatherings. We will open it up to its surroundings as a structure in the park, that can be populated by people, trees, and containers for co-working. We will make the beams accessible and safe so that we can all climb to the top and celebrate the structure, with views of the city of Tirana."

MVRDV’s design will open up the ground level on all sides, making the building porous and accessible, and bringing light into the interior spaces. Trees and other greenery will be introduced into the pyramid's monumental atrium. The roof—which has become a preferred spot for urban adventurers to climb on—will be embraced, the concrete beams turned into massive staircases and made officially available for all visitors. 

During the announcement, the capital's mayor, Erion Veliaj celebrated that the project "will completely change the current building, putting it in service of innovation, technology, art and culture, not only in Albania but to the entire region." This was echoed by Maas, who added: "we create an inhabited monument."