Oppenheim Architecture

Inspired by Albania’s rich architectural heritage, this new landmark development will set the tone for the cultural and architectural character of one of Albania’s oldest cities.
The Vlore Beach Urban Development is an impactful coastal
initiative that redefines the relationship between the city, the sea,
and the albanian culture. Positioned along a prominent corner of
Vlore’s growing waterfront district, the project becomes a strategic
gateway that acts as nexus of the city’s historic core, the expansive
Soda Forest, and the new marina, tying it to the Lungomare
promenade. As this area rapidly evolves into a premier destination,
the development emerges as both a cultural anchor and a spatial
link along the coastline.
Set within a 20,465m2 site, the project comprises a dynamic 89,320m2
of new construction, employing a masterplan rooted in Albanian
tradition while forward-looking in its urban and architectural
approach. Inspired by Vlore’s historic urban fabric, the layout reflects
the vibrant spontaneity of traditional village clusters, reinterpreted
through the concept of the nukli; human-scaled, interconnected
blocks designed to foster community. These village-scaled nuklis
are woven together by a central pedestrian spine, a civic promenade
extending from the main boulevard to the beach, serving as a
connective tissue of culture, nature, commerce, and leisure.
This inner axis —lively with public squares, cafes, shops, and
gathering spaces— is the heart of the neighborhood, facilitating
discovery, social interaction, and a direct connection to the sea.
Along its route, a range of public activities unfold: markets, festivals,
performances, and daily rituals, all set within a landscape where
nature and architecture merge.
The project expresses a quiet dialogue between old and new. Lowrise
nukli buildings draw from traditional material palettes—local
stone, plaster mortars, and crafted wood—grounding the project
in its cultural and geographical context. Their open ground floors
activate the streetscape, allowing communal and commercial life to
blend seamlessly. Above, textured facades with shutters, screens,
and diversely shaped windows reinterpret historical motifs with
contemporary restraint.
Interspersed within this fabric, three towers rise as counterparts to
the village typology, offering panoramic views of the Adriatic coast,
optimizing natural light and air circulation, and expanding residential
diversity. These towers are carefully positioned to maintain open
public space and visual permeability, their facades echoing the same
rhythms and proportions of the lower buildings, creating a unified
architectural language across scale.
The project is at once rooted and progressive. It celebrates Vlore’s
identity while providing a flexible, future-ready framework for
urban living. Through a design that prioritizes human experience,
cultural continuity, and nature integration, the Vlore Beach Urban
Development becomes more than a place to live, it is a vibrant
coastal community shaped by history, designed for tomorrow.