STAIRS

The stairs are the most visible expression of how the public can take over the monument. The gesture of formalising the ascent gives back to the city the most. Once at the top, an observation deck gives you the opportunity to overlook the entire city. Steps are added to the sloping concrete beams, making it safe for visitors to literally walk over this former museum to the country’s dictator, right to the top of the pyramid – preserving the appropriating that began with the citizens of Tirana.

DESTINATIONS

The act of conquering the monument needs to happen on multiple stages and ëwith different tools. Adding destination points, both in the interior and exterior, helps break down the scale of the building. It humanizes it and activates the areas around them. The generic nature of the box is also allowing for easy transformation and a multitude of uses that can be housed inside. We applied a modular system which allows for fast construction and easy transportation.

OPENNESS

By removing the glass at all of the entrances, the connection with the exterior becomes immediate. The building merges with its surroundings and the access can no longer be restricted. The boundary between inside and outside is blurred. The once scary and hostile monument transforms into a welcoming and inviting space, protecting Tirana’s residents from the elements.

LANDSCAPE

The surroundings of the pyramid are in a better state than the building itself. The overall strategy is to repair, connect and activate. The design proposal is to do so by adding a program within the park. The functions can spill out of their shells and mix with nature. The people of Tirana will have a space for quality time in the beautiful park. The flaws of the initial design will be fixed locally by adding ramps and stairs to improve way-finding around the monument.