ALBANIAN ARCHITECTS: ANTONELA SALIAJ

A brief description of you, where you work, how many years of experience you have and your area of expertise.

Antonela Saliaj is an Architect with over 15 years of professional experience, with comprehensive knowledge of the construction industry, both in design and in the managerial field. Graduated from UPT-FIN, Department of Architecture in 2008, she continued her postgraduate studies at the Polytechnic University of Milan, graduating in the Master's "Sustainable Buildings and Infrastructure" and further, successfully completed in 2020 the International Course at Cornell University, New York, USA, with the subject "Hotel Planning and Design".

Passionate about design and construction, and after many years of experience in Europe and the Middle East, Antonela, together with Ani Tola Panariti and Albert Leka, founded ASArchitects in TIRANA in January 2017, and then in October 2018, ASArchitects started operating in DUBAI, UAE where it continues to be part of mega-projects such as EXPO 2020, SHEIK Zayed Museum, etc. offering expertise in BIM, design development and beyond.

During her career, Antonela has participated in a wide range of project typologies, including hotels, residences, schools, museums and exhibitions, multifunctional buildings, and urban planning.

Why did you choose architecture? What was the spark that led you to this profession?

The desire to combine beauty and functionality.

 

The naïve gesture of "throwing an idea" on paper, and then developing that idea into something feasible and above all livable, has been the key to keeping the passion for creation alive. And this passion turned into a passion to design, to create buildings and spaces that focus on the emotions they covey. Unlike other arts, architecture gives you the opportunity to shape creations that will be lived, that will have an impact not only on their "users", but also on the environment where they will be a part and on society.

What has been the most challenging project for you? Why?

I would choose two projects, as the most challenging. The first was the design of the St. Cloud Hotel, Florida, USA, which also marked the opening of ASArchitects. The challenge of this project was to face a new international environment with specific requirements, and above all, the design/adaptation of a building with historical values for the city of St. Cloud. The sensitivity of the local community towards the building, put the design group in front of the moral and professional obligation to restore the building to its former values.

The second most challenging project has been the detailing of 7 stations of the new metro line, in Dubai, UAE. Being our first project of this typology, fully developed on BIM as the project implementation platform, were challenges that required the maximum commitment of the design group to deliver the projects to the required international standards and milestones.

What do you think of architecture and which is the project that best represents you?

Architecture is the art of creating livable spaces and everything this whole process involves. Not without reason, the slogan of ASArchitects is "Bringing space to life", as we give great importance and attention to the human perception towards the space we design; to the harmony between volumes and light, proportions between forms and details, selection of materials and colors. Architecture should be contextual, experiential, and functional, not just focus on visuality or be limited to creating "beautiful forms". The creation of livable spaces is the leitmotif of every project we carry out.

The project that we are currently implementing, which I would single out as one of the most representative projects, is a resort in the south of Albania, which includes a 5-star hotel complex and a tourist village. The design of hotel structures, with all the complexity they contain, is one of the professional and personal passions that constantly attracts my attention. The project of a hotel includes temporary residence, entertainment, business, ceremonies, etc., the non-stop movement, turning them into building with unique vitality.

What advice would you give yourself at the beginning of your career, valid even for young architects or those girls/women who want to become architects? 

BE BRAVE and COURAGEOUS!

 

As the famous expression says, "Sky is the Limit", I believe that the highest and most difficult obstacles to overcome are the ones we set for ourselves. Therefore, I tell every young architect not to hesitate to dare, to explore as much as possible in the profession. To be in constant search of comprehensive professional experiences, starting from design and not stop there. I think that every architect should also participate in the project implementation phase, so that their professional training does not stop at the "design offices" but also extends to the implementation and delivery of the projects, to better understand the multi-dimensional nature of the design/build field. They should bear in mind that the finalisation of a project only begins with its design concept but does not end with the delivery of the design, quite the contrary. Therefore, I would suggest to every new professional, to "be on site", to see closely the Implementation of a project step by step.

BE CURIOUS. DON'T STOP BEING "EAGER" FOR THE PROFESSION, AND DON'T STOP LEARNING.

Being an architect is a privilege, so this profession deserves passion, determination and continuous dedication.

What inspires you in your work? (Artist/architect)?

Hard to define in words. Inspiration is a moment of contact with a world that is different, more beautiful, more perfect in every aspect, and this moment must be constantly sought.

When I am faced with a new project, I try to channelize the process of thought and creation, first by studying and doing a preliminary research work. I study the environment where the project will be positioned, I see the developer's requirements, the nature of the project and its specifics, I look for other similar projects realized before, etc. Then I try to highlight a feature or an element, which will become the key motif of the project, and which will give the project uniqueness, turning it into a "special one". So the whole initial design process and finding inspiration is a product of continuous research work but also of continuous observation of what surrounds us.

Three projects that you want us to feature on pikark.com

LIV Residence, 2022

Housing and Services/Architectural Design

Status - In construction

EXPO Dubai Youth Pavilion, 2021

Expo/Interior Design

Status - Completed

"Aleksander Moisiu" Theater Durrës, 2021

Cultural Center/Architectural and Interior Design

Status - Project idea