Studio Libeskind’s first project in Albania, the Magnet housing development, consists of a master plan for a new residential neighborhood within walking distance of Tirana’s city center, along with the design for the first 13,000 sq.m tower within the master plan to serve as a catalyst for revitalizing the entire district.

The thirteen story tower is crescent-shaped in plan, rising with stepped terraces toward a crescendo of 45 meters-high at the western tip.  The ridges of the undulating façade and the peaked penthouse silhouettes echo the surrounding mountain range seen beyond the city skyline from the terraces and balconies of each unit.  At street-level there is retail and office space and a pedestrian plaza—the first built parcel of a series of public urban spaces, which unite the master plan.

Each of the 115 units have south-exposed living areas where the window and door openings have been designed in concert with the balcony forms to maximize passive solar shading in the summer, while allowing the lower winter sun in.  Further, the terraced planted roof areas will absorb heat and storm water while providing green living areas for residents.