Shëngjin Tourist Complex

Holiday apartments, a hotel, and semi-detached twin houses with stunning sea views

The Shëngjin Tourist Complex is located on the northern coast of Albania, in a privileged natural and cultural setting between the Adriatic Sea and the urban fabric of the town of Shëngjin. The project proposes a new model of responsible tourism, balancing development with environmental preservation.

The site, with a total area of 18,465 m², is characterized by its sloping topography and strategic coastal location, offering direct and privileged views of the surrounding landscape. These natural conditions form the basis of an architectural proposal that seeks to integrate seamlessly with its environment while enhancing its scenic qualities.

The development combines residential and hotel accommodation with leisure facilities, respecting the landscape and drawing inspiration from Albanian vernacular architecture. The proposal is organized into three distinct programmes: holiday apartments, a hotel, and a collection of semi-detached twin villas. Through a design approach that prioritizes connectivity, landscape integration, and sustainability, the complex emerges as a contemporary interpretation of coastal living, preserving the character of the site while enriching the user experience.

The design responds to the site's topography by following its natural contours, generating a strong sense of linearity that integrates seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. This strategy allows the development to blend harmoniously with its environment while providing both dynamism and functional clarity.

The project's materiality is primarily defined by the use of locally sourced natural stone for façades, retaining walls, and structural elements. This choice not only reinforces the aesthetic character of the site but also ensures durability, resilience, and sustainability in response to the demands of the coastal climate.

One of the defining features of the proposal is the individualization of its spaces, ensuring privacy and exclusivity for each unit. The road network has been designed to provide independent access to the individual villas and apartments, while the hotel and the twin villas share a common access route that enhances functionality and strengthens the overall cohesion of the development.

All spaces have been strategically designed to maximize views of the Adriatic Sea while highlighting the beauty of the surrounding landscape, establishing a strong visual and sensory connection with the natural environment.