Between Olive Trees | Armand Vokshi

The villa among the olive trees derives from the features of the terrain, its slope, dense vegetation, unique panoramas, as well as from the specific requirements of the client, from which was defined an articulated program for a one-family house. The conceptual approach aimed above all the desire to live in a close relationship with the environment and the green landscape of Tirana, and especially with that of Dajti Mountain that fills the horizon.

The villa among the olive trees represents the inspiring spirit in connecting the natural environment with architecture in an organic way. The villa had several nominations and has received several international awards.

The virgin natural context, filled with terraces planted with olives during the dictatorship, with voluntary work by the citizens of Tirana, was the strongest part of the project. The building tends to completely merge with the terrain and especially in the North - East part, the building opens against the magnificent panorama.

The object is completely immersed in the ground, trying not to appear at any moment. Existing terraces turn into white soles which extend horizontally in the air dealing with the environment and the space. Their horizontal fluidity depends on and intertwines with the configuration of the terrain isohypses.

The volumes separated by the white plans, the solid and stone chimney, the iron interior stairs that connect the floating terraces, manage to contour the necessary space, and hide the whole supporting structure. The glass doors on the three perimeter sides slide inside each other and the main space of the house, the large living room lobby opens completely to the landscape.

The largest floor is the basement where all the facilities of technical services, parking, entrance to the villa as well as other recreational and auxiliary facilities are accommodated. The main floor has a large living room combined with that of dining and cooking in a single space as well as the master bedroom, with other intimate rooms. The upper floor has bedrooms and a large terrace with a unique view of Tirana city and the Artificial Lake. The orientation of the hill where the villa is located on the north side, was one of the key issues in the project, which were solved by means of zenith cracks or movements and openings of the plans from the south, to absorb as much natural light, especially in winter. These plastic movements manage to generate in the interior an interesting play of light, changing with the hour during the day and the season during the year. The materials used tend to camouflage the presence of the villa on the hill where the white horizontal planes are the only elements observed.