Construction has begun on a mixed-use building by MVRDV that, at 279 feet tall and sculpted into the shape of a bust of Albania’s national hero, will be one of the world’s largest buildings that double as a sculpture. The Skanderbeg Building, officially known as Tirana’s Rock, will provide functional housing while serving as a landmark in the heart of Albania’s capital, Tirana.

Gjergj Kastrioti (1405-1468), commonly known as Skanderbeg, is a central figure in Albania’s history. He is celebrated for his role in Albania's conception as a nation-state. The building is located on the northeastern corner of the main public square in Tirana, which is named after the figure, Skanderbeg Square. 

“Carved” into the volume, Skanderbeg’s head is turned to the right facing the square, with "his shoulders aligning with the widest parts of the site," shares the firm. To achieve this design, balconies are found wrapped around the building on every level. Their curved protrusions create facial details like a nose, ears, and beard. "The resulting effect is somewhat subtle; people may need to look twice to understand the building’s shape, depending on the angle from which they see it," explains MVRDV. "This expressive approach fits seamlessly into a city that has developed a tradition of mixing art and architecture as part of its post-communist renaissance." 

In its interior, the building includes one level of commercial space and four levels of office space filling the "bust" section of the structure. Above this, 20 floors of residential apartments fill the “head.” 

“These days, cities around the world increasingly look like each other – I always encourage them to resist this, to find their individual character and emphasize it,” says MVRDV founding partner Winy Maas. “To me, the Skanderbeg Building is an opportunity to do just that. It brings new meaning to existing elements of Albanian architecture. As Albania begins its negotiations to join the EU, projects such as this one are part of the European Project – it stresses Albania’s history, character, and presence in a unified Europe of many states.”

Native trees and plants are shown separating balconies throughout the building in built-in planters. Sustainability features across the structure include floor layouts, which foster natural cross-ventilation for cooling. The overhanging balconies also protect the building from excessive sunlight. In addition, rainwater capture and heat recovery systems minimize the building’s water and energy requirements. 

The building's balconies feature glass balustrades with a gradient finish. This effect offers a "fading from a milk-white to a clear finish and lending the building an ethereal, marble-like appearance," shares MVRDV. During the evening, built-in lighting strips underneath the balconies illuminate the structure, "highlighting the form of Skanderbeg’s head."