Davide Macullo Architects has been contributing to Albania's architectural landscape by integrating local culture, materiality, and terrain into their projects since 2016, with a focus on responsiveness to surroundings.
Three major upcoming projects by the Swiss practice — The Leaves in Vlore, Valona Hills on the southern coast, and The Seed outside Tirana — prioritize openness, ecological sensitivity, and human comfort.
The Leaves in Vlore is envisioned as a sculptural residential tower with a fluid design inspired by the Albanian landscape, integrating vegetation through intricate planters and prefabricated concrete panels in earthy hues.
Valona Hills along Albania's coast, created in collaboration with S&L Studio, features conical buildings that blend into the terrain, inviting greenery and emphasizing public gathering spaces.
The Seed in the forested foothills above Tirana embraces a softer, earthbound design ethos with low volumes, terraced gardens, and a focus on creating spaces that harmonize with the environment and enhance human experiences.
Davide Macullo's approach involves a humanistic philosophy where architecture acts as a bridge between the place's DNA and its future, aiming to integrate buildings harmoniously into their surroundings, creating living organisms that embrace inhabitants with love.
The architectural identity of these projects prioritizes pedestrian life, open spaces, and social ease, aiming to shape places where individuals can experience life intimately and collectively.
By infusing their work with anthropology and psychology, Davide Macullo Architects prioritize creating architecture that shapes human behavior and enhances the well-being of the community.
The studio's commitment to Albania reflects a collaborative journey, blending local and global perspectives with mutual respect, resulting in a powerful cross-cultural dynamic in their architectural endeavors.