This skyscraper will transform Tirana’s skyline with a 3D map of Albania

Work has started on the skyscraper tipped to become Albania’s tallest building.

Reaching 140-metres tall, Downtown One in central Tirana will feature jutting and protruding panels and sections, creating a pixelated, 3D map of Albania itself.

As well as creating a relief of the country across the facade of the 37-storey tower, each pixel will represent a different Albanian town or city.

The architects behind the building, the Netherlands-based MVRDV, say they believe that Albania has “tremendous potential for progressive development.” The company is also working on the renovation of the nearby Tirana Pyramid.

“Albania has come a long way. Ten years ago it was the poorest country in Europe. Now it is a country with energy and ambition, working towards great economic improvements. We want to express this with our building,” says Winy Maas, co-founder of MVRDV. “The tower brings the feeling of a vertical village to the busy city centre.”

Downtown One is due for completion by 2024, when it will be turned over to host apartments, shops, offices, and restaurants.