Greening A Condo From the Inside Out With Terraced Gardens

<a href="http://www.joubertarchitecture.nl/flash.html" target="_blank">JA Joubert Architecture</a> was hoping that their design for a condominium project in Tirana, Albania would help break the cycle of monotony and bland architecture in the expanding city. What was countryside beyond the city center only ten years ago has now become a series of box factories, warehouses, stores and apartment complexes stretching along a highway. The Netherlands-based firm proposes to revitalize the strip of land with a new condominium complex featuring <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2009/10/20/rathaus-terraces-mixed-use-development-for-medieval-german-city/" target="_blank">terraced garden</a>s on innovative interior cutouts.

The condo project hopes to help the expanding city have more than just one city center.

The mixed-use condominium project, called Greenside Out, is characterized by curved terraces planted with vegetation.

JA Joubert Architecture from The Netherlands designed this mixed-use commercial, office and residential project for Tirana, Albania.

The cutouts on the building also serve as a private and secluded area away from the busy city nearby.

The cutouts allow more sunlight to reach into each apartment and into the development and ground floor commercial area.

The apartments can then enjoy a private garden terrace and a shaded balcony on which to rest.

JA Joubert Architecture was one of several firms invited to design a mixed-use development for Tirana, Albania.

Their design took home 2nd prize.

The project was envisioned as a typical block building with spherical cutouts, which provide protected courtyards for the residents of the building.

The project was envisioned to become a new benchmark in architectural design.

The hope is also that it can help transform the city from a centrally focused city to a radial development minimizing the need for people to commute into the city center.

The bottom floors include office and commercial space.

The ground floor and surrounding landscape is designed to be pedestrian friendly and enviting.