The Albanian Files 2026: Two Decades of Architecture

The transformation of Albania's built environment following the collapse of its communist regime is the focus of a comprehensive new volume titled The Albanian Files: Freedom and Architecture. Edited by curator, writer, and researcher Anneke Abhelakh, the publication documents how international design firms have reshaped the country over the past two decades, capturing a structural and cultural evolution that remains ongoing.

Published by Lars Müller Publishers, the 796-page monograph brings together projects, proposals, and first-hand essays from 60 international architectural practices that have worked within Albania since the early 2000s. Positioned in the Mediterranean, the nation has experienced unique political, economic, and architectural exchanges since the post-1990 era, opening its doors to diverse global design influences.

The selected works in the book span a wide array of typologies, ranging from social housing developments and civic public squares to luxury resorts, cultural facilities, monuments, and urban planning initiatives. Contributions from prominent firms such as OMA, MVRDV, OODA, Oppenheim Architecture, and CEBRA illustrate the multifaceted approaches and varying interests that have guided Albania's physical development over the last twenty years.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event