Stark red monoliths define Oppenheim Architecture's design for the Besa Museum

The name 'Besa Museum' derives its inspiration from the Albanian concept of Besa, which embodies the sacred principle of extending warm hospitality and protection to every guest, treating them as part of one's own family. Albania's Ministry of Culture announced a competition for a project to restore and upgrade the historic building near the Tirana Castle complex, close to the Pyramid of Tirana. The brief described the creation of a contemporary cultural centre that sits in harmony with the historic built environment. The project defined the transformation of the iconic Qanie Toptani Libohova House into a museum focused on the Albanian value of Besa; the building once played a role in protecting the Jews from persecution. The museum had to include exhibition spaces, a reception area, a reading room, a shop, a coffee bar, offices, and storage.

After a rigorous two-phase process that saw more than 40 entries, Oppenheim Architecture emerged victorious and secured the contract for the project. The United States-based practice views its team's role as that of ‘architectural archaeologists’ where they delve deep into the intricacies of site, encompassing people, cultures, technologies, and experiences. The firm's European office in Basel, Switzerland, has been actively engaged in various projects across Albania for over two years, but the Besa Museum stands out as one of their most significant undertakings, celebrating the nation's rich cultural heritage and hospitable spirit. Their concept revolves around the four pillars of Besa—tradition, protection, hospitality, and honour. The design showcases key moments in Albania's history that exemplify the spirit of Besa, which has guided Albanians across centuries and endured every political ideology. It is passed down as an intergenerational gift and is best explained by experiencing it.

The firm, with offices in Miami and Basel believes in recognising the hidden value within each design brief. By viewing architecture as an integral part of a broader ecosystem, they maximise benefits not only for their users but also for the surrounding community and environment. This design represents Oppenheim's continued commitment to the region and embodies its design philosophy. The design process initiated a collaboration with local experts, including Albanologists, restoration specialists, historians with expertise in Ottoman and Albanian architecture, and a museologist. Additionally, Oppenheim Architecture joined forces with the world’s longest-established museum exhibition design firm, Ralph Applebaum Associates, to ensure the project’s unique requirements were met. Through this collective effort, the concept of Besa was brilliantly translated into concrete architecture. The museum encompasses exhibition spaces, archives, an auditorium, educational areas, and a newly constructed wing beneath the exterior courtyard, mirroring the original organisation of the Ottoman structure.

The Oppenheim team proposed restoring the rooms and art within to highlight historical events, especially instances where Besa guided Albania's compassionate actions, including providing refuge to Jews during the Holocaust. The Ministry of Culture of Albania cleverly selected the museum's location to be the iconic Toptani Residence in the capital city Tirana, recognising its historical significance and importance as a cherished heritage site. The residence, named after one of the country's esteemed families, will serve as an integral part of the museum experience. "We want to leverage the power of the existing house, having it as a site of exhibits and an exhibit itself," says the design team. The museum is divided into two parts: an above-ground section inside the existing residence, offering visitors a historical and cultural understanding of Besa, and an underground portion that immerses guests in an interactive experience of the concept.

The most striking feature of the museum is the bright red monoliths emerging in the courtyard, intriguing and attracting visitors from across the city, serving as a captivating focal point, and announcing the museum's presence to Tirana's historic skyline in a minimal yet impactful manner. These towers will connect to the new wing built under the external courtyard, acting as luminous beacons that accentuate the exhibits with natural light and shadow play by channeling the light underground. An underground passage will link this new wing to the Toptani Residence, which mimics the organisation of the original Ottoman structure with rooms surrounding a central gathering space traditionally called an Oda. The courtyard space could be used for various public moments such as concerts, festivals, and even weddings, thus truly belonging to the people.

Project Details

Name: Besa Museum
Location:  Tirana, Albania
Client: Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Albania
Architect: Oppenheim Architecture
Area:
Site Area: 26,791.37 sq ft
Building Area: 17,889 sq ft
Renovation Area: 21,872 sq ft
New Build Area: 4,693 sq.ft
Competition Year: 2023
Museum Designer: Ralph Appelbaum Associates
Branding Specialist: The Place Bureau
Local Architect: Common Sense Studio

(Text by Aatmi Chitalia, Intern at STIR)