Eduardo Souto de Moura and OODA have unveiled the design of the Oricon Tower, a 180-meter mixed-use skyscraper planned for Tirana, Albania. Located near OODA’s recently completed Bond Tower, the project is part of the city’s ongoing transformation under the Tirana 2030 Masterplan, which envisions a denser and more connected urban core. The tower will house offices, residences, retail areas, and a hotel, contributing to the city’s evolving skyline and serving as a new urban gateway between Tirana’s historic center and its expanding western districts.
Since the launch of the Tirana 2030 Masterplan, developed by Stefano Boeri Architetti, UNLAB, and IND, the Albanian capital has pursued a strategy aimed at expanding its metropolitan scale while preserving and integrating green and public spaces. Within this context, the Oricon Tower is located on Dritan Hoxha Avenue, marking the western entrance to the city. The building acts as an “urban gateway,” mediating between the established city fabric and emerging developments along the corridor connecting the airport to the center.
The 60,000-square-meter tower is characterized by a rectilinear form defined by a gridded concrete and glass structure, with protruding floor plates that extend beyond the façade to emphasize its geometry. According to the architects, its design follows principles of proportion, structural clarity, and material expression, adopting concrete, marble, and glass as primary materials. These elements draw from local building traditions, with the intention of giving the project a sense of coherence while maintaining a contemporary character. A public plaza and double-height entrance lobby at the base establish an open relationship between the building and its surroundings.