Take a tour of the Albanian photography museum inspired by the camera

Take a look at the revitalised Marubi National Photomuseum in the Albanian city of Shkodër.

Designed by Rotterdam-based Casanova+Hernandez architects, the museum’s most striking feature is its gridded facade, based on camera apertures and made up of panes of transparent and translucent glass. Adapting an old government-owned building, the architects have added a two-storey extension.

The exterior facade is echoed within the building, with pigeon-hole shelving and cabinetry, as well as five exhibition boxes, forming part of its interior. Panels serve to display photographs and documents inside the galleries.

“The modern image of the museum is based on an abstract pattern, which is inspired by the geometry of the aperture of the photographic camera that opens and closes to control the light,” the architecture firm stated.

In order to give the museum a cohesive visual identity, aspects of the new design have also been implemented throughout the existing building.

“Marubi National Photomuseum acquires its own specific identity by linking all spatial, structural, functional, graphic and visual aspects, helping visitors to identify building and collection with a complete, rich and unique experience,” Casanova+Hernandez architects explained.

The Marubi National Photomuseum houses a photographic archive of over 500,000 photos and negatives from the archives of Kel, Pietro and Gegë Marubi, depicting life and historic events in Albania and the wider region.

Source: Dezeen