MVRDV has renovated and transformed The Pyramid of Tirana in Tirana, Netherlands.

The Pyramid of Tirana, originally built as a museum dedicated to the communist dictator Enver Hoxha, has been transformed into a new kind of cultural hub.

Reusing the concrete structure, the Pyramid is now an open sculpture in a new park.

Both are home to an ensemble of colourful boxes, scattered in and around the original building that house cafés, studios, start-up offices, incubators and classrooms where Albanian youth learn various technology subjects for free.

In addition, steps have been added to the sloping façades, allowing the people of Albania to walk all over the former dictator's showpiece.

This project has been longlisted in the cultural project category of Dezeen Awards 2024.

Studio: MVRDV
Project: The Pyramid of Tirana
Credits: Albanian-American Development Foundation, Municipality of Tirana, Albania Ministry of Culture, iRI Architects, TUMO Tirana, Arup, Daniel Gjoni and Arben Liçi