Tirana Vertical Forest

After projects in Milan, Utrecht and Nanjing, Stefano Boeri Architetti has extended its vision of urban forestry to the Albanian capital. The underlying vision is to combat climate change by increasing the presence of trees and forests in cities worldwide, thereby improving air quality and increasing green spaces. The Tirana Vertical Forest exemplifies this vision with its dynamic structure marked by alternating balconies and bay windows. Its façade of full-height windows not only offers sweeping views of the city and its monuments, but also houses 145 trees and more than 3,200 shrubs and bushes. The project falls under the broad umbrella of Tirana’s Master Plan 2030 and continues the city’s efforts to promote a combination of sustainable development and innovative urban design, demonstrating how modern building design can efficiently relate to the natural environment.

The realization of this ambitious project required customized technical solutions capable of suitably supporting the building envelope. Indeed, the latter is defined not only by its transparency and overhangs, but also by a rhythmic arrangement of floor levels achieved through the strategic use of porcelain stoneware tiles. Against such a backdrop, the collaboration with Metra Building, a manufacturer specializing in complex extruded aluminum profiles, proved indispensable. Two different technical solutions were used to support the glazing on the façade, tailored to the specific installation approach: internal support for transparent sections and external support for opaque sections. The aluminum façade system is made up of NC 65 STH series profiles, specifically designed to meet the needs of the architects. To achieve this, Metra Building’s engineering department collaborated with Alca, a company specializing in building envelope solutions, to custom manufacture 14 aluminum profile molds, three rubber molds and five new types of accessories.

Covering an area of approximately 5,000 sq. m, the building embodies Tirana’s Mediterranean climate through the use of a rich variety of plants, flowers and trees.
These include aromatics and a variety of green shrubs that contribute to approximately 550 sq. m of greenery that enhances natural air filtration, optimizes energy efficiency and helps reduce noise levels. In particular, the Tirana Vertical Forest facilitates the absorption of approximately eight tons of carbon dioxide per year, reducing urban air pollution and fostering a new urban ecosystem.