Nestled against the sublime backdrop of Albania’s southern coastline, Berdenesh Hills emerges as a harmonious dialogue between the past and the present, curated by the visionary minds at NOA. This residential and hospitality sanctuary unfurls along the Mediterranean’s azure embrace, where the undulating terrain and expansive sea vistas dictate an architectural symphony of elegance and purpose.
As one approaches the serene enclave beyond the bustling heart of Saranda, a gentle road meanders through low hills, adorned with scrub vegetation and rugged stone outcrops, teasing glimpses of the sea before unveiling the vastness of the horizon. Here, NOA orchestrates a tableau of terraced volumes that cascade gracefully with the land’s natural contour, crafting a compact yet open community that gazes toward the distant silhouette of Corfu, as captured in Aleksey Mokhov's evocative visualizations.
In the creation of Berdenesh Hills, the architects at NOA draw inspiration from Southern Albania’s rich architectural tapestry, where ancient castles and fortified settlements punctuate the landscape. These historical edifices, perched upon elevations, narrate tales of a bygone era, their forms sculpted by both strategic defense and the whims of the terrain. This project reimagines these whispers of antiquity as a modern citadel, a clustered neighborhood where openness and community intertwine around a central piazza, the beating heart of social engagement and spatial fluidity.
The central square, an expansive piazza, becomes the stage for connection, its terraced levels accommodating pathways, gatherings, and a quaint community pavilion. Radiating from this nucleus, pathways weave toward private abodes and verdant terraces, while the perimeter retains a visual porosity, allowing the surrounding beauty to permeate the living experience.
Berdenesh Hills, poised upon its sloping Mediterranean canvas, offers a masterclass in architectural choreography. Stepped roof planes and varied building heights mimic the gentle rise and fall of the coastal terrain, crafting a rhythmic dance that feels intrinsically linked to the earth. From an aerial perspective, the roofs present an articulated surface, melding seamlessly with the hillside; from below, the terraces accentuate horizontality, never imposing upon the panoramic vista.
The facades, adorned in warm, earthy plaster tones, resonate with the hues of the surrounding soil and stone. Subtle projections and recesses animate these surfaces, creating a dynamic play of light and shadow that evolves throughout the day. This nuanced modulation lightens the visual heft often associated with multi-level residential constructs, especially in the picturesque locale of Saranda.
Outdoor spaces, the soul of Berdenesh Hills, are thoughtfully integrated into the design. Each apartment boasts a private terrace, an extension of the interior sanctum, where the boundaries between inside and out blur into a seamless living experience. Edges widen into grand exterior rooms, oriented to embrace the sea’s embrace, while parapets, crafted with slender metal elements, ensure unobstructed sightlines from within.
At the heart of Berdenesh Hills, a Mediterranean park, a verdant thread woven through the site, thrives with species tailored to the coastal climate, reinforcing a sense of collective life while honoring the sanctity of individual privacy. Here, nature and architecture converse in a shared language of harmony and tranquility.
With preliminary design approval secured, Berdenesh Hills stands poised on the brink of realization, its construction anticipated to commence in 2026. This contemporary citadel, with its terraced volumes and enduring vistas, promises not only to echo the fortified landscapes of history but to redefine communal living in the embrace of Albania’s southern coast.
