Mangalem 21

The project covers a plot of land in the eastern part of the city, bordered by mountains and former communist quarters to the north, and informal settlements from the 1990s to the south. The site has a very prominent slope:​ the difference between the lowest and the highest point is 27 meters, an equivalent of a nine-story building. Inspired by the configuration of the informal settlements, OMA proposes a chequerboard-like pattern of blocks and courtyards. The sloped terrain allows for every building to look over the other, creating different views over the surroundings. High density is achieved while leaving 70% of the site open for public plazas and green spaces. The development is car-free and all parking is underground. The main street running through the development brings together commercial activities and connects Mangalem 21 with the future Metrobosco green belt and the new ring road planned by the municipality. The abstract chequerboard pattern turns into a continuous array of habitable spaces by elaborating the tangent corners into architectural entities. Three typologies emerge:​ the ‘straddle core’, a vertical circulation shared by two adjacent buildings, the ‘straddle apartment’, an apartment spanning over two adjacent buildings, and the ‘kissing corner’, two tangent building corners. The project's manifest use of color is a reference to the initiative of Tirana’s former mayor Edi Rama to paint the city’s communist-era apartment blocks in the early 2000s. A limited color palette, applied in various combinations to exterior walls, window frames and shutters, gives each façade its own, unique expression. The openings are organized in a system that uses standardization to create diversity by shifting their position and subdivisions.

The architectural solution is based on a clear and efficient organization of residential units and public spaces. The chequerboard layout of blocks creates a natural system of circulation, visual connections, and functional relationships between buildings and internal courtyards. Each residential unit has a clearly defined and accessible entrance, connected to the pedestrian circulation network, while vertical movement is facilitated through shared circulation cores (straddle cores) that serve two adjacent buildings — a solution that optimizes space and improves accessibility.
Commercial and public functions are located along the main street that runs through the development, forming a vibrant social and commercial axis. This street functions as a functional spine that connects residential areas, green spaces, and existing urban infrastructure, including the future Metrobosco green belt and the city’s planned new ring road.
Circulation flows are designed to be clear and uninterrupted:​ pedestrian traffic is prioritized over vehicles, while all parking is placed underground, allowing the ground level to be fully dedicated to residents and community use.
The sloped topography allows for a natural division of functional levels, giving each building access to views and natural light. Vertical and horizontal connections are integrated with the terrain, minimizing excavation while enhancing access and inclusivity.