TAW (Tirana Architecture Weeks)

21/07/2026

TIRANA ARCHITECTURE WEEK 2026

Manifesto

Well Grounded

With the head above the clouds

In a world shaped by constant change, architecture must find balance between reflection and action. Well Grounded is an invitation to reconnect with the fundamentals of architecture—place, material, craft, knowledge, and the responsibility of building—while remaining open to new ideas, technologies, and futures.

To be grounded is not to resist innovation, but to build upon solid foundations. It means embracing uncertainty with critical thinking, creating with purpose, and teaching and sharing knowledge that is both rooted and adaptable.

Tirana, a city in continuous transformation, provides the ideal setting for this dialogue. Between local realities and global ambitions, it reminds us that meaningful architecture grows from a deep understanding of context while daring to imagine what lies ahead.

Tirana Architecture Week 2026 invites architects, educators, designers, students, and thinkers to reflect, collaborate, and envision a future that is both grounded and visionary.

Be well grounded. Keep your head above the clouds.

04/06/2026

Michiel van Driessche

Partner at Felixx Landscape Architects & Planners and City Architect of Groningen (NL)

“Nature-based is the solution!”, claims Michiel Van Driessche, an activist utilising landscape architecture to combat climate change. He is dedicated to integrating scientific research into planning and design when developing climate strategies and building Nature-based Solutions as a Felixx partner.

As Groningen’s city architect, Michiel aligns policymaking with planning for a sustainable future and aims for effective action by connecting local and European policies with planning and design frameworks. He firmly believes we can develop more robust planning instruments for our environments by bridging the gap between science and policy.

04/06/2026

04/06/2026

Tirana Architecture Week 2026 begins with an extraordinary voice in contemporary architecture. We are honored to welcome Dominique Perrault, one of the most influential architects and urban thinkers of our time, whose work has profoundly shaped the dialogue between architecture, landscape, infrastructure, and the city. Known internationally for landmark projects such as the French National Library in Paris and for his visionary concept of the “groundscape,” Perrault will inaugurate this year’s edition of Tirana Architecture Week, setting the stage for moments of critical reflection, inspiring discussions, and explorations of architecture’s role in shaping our collective future. Universiteti Polis