Dutch studio Casanova + Hernandez has completed a project in the Albanian village of Shiroka, comprising a waterfront plaza and streetscape that uses granite stones to replicate a traditional carpet pattern.

The reaction to the end of a communist regime was widespread mistrust in the public sphere, which led to a period of uncontrolled occupation and privatisation of public space. As result, the public space of the waterfront of Shkodra lake was occupied with illegal constructions. "Albanian Carpet" returns the waterfront to the citizens demolishing the illegal constructions, opening the views over the lake, and creating lively public space with a domestic character.

This project has been longlisted in the landscape project category of Dezeen Awards 2021.

Architect: Casanova Hernandez Architects
Project: Albanian Carpet