Epoka Social Center and Department of Architecture

Tirana, Albania

The ESC+DA building plays a pedagogical role in the architectural education of its students. In order to accommodate the architecture department, a social centre, cafeteria, library and conference hall, a footprint of 6,300 m2 was needed. The transparency of the structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering systems of the building acts as an educational instrument for students. Reinforced concrete is treated as an aesthetic material, which creates relations with other materials like brick, glass, marble or tiles. Solid bricks are used in the outer building envelope and horizontally perforated hollow brick is used in the interiors. The ensemble becomes a permanent open lecture in the service of education.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture