Another key piece of sports infrastructure is set to be transformed through a prestigious project, for which several of the world’s most renowned international studios are competing — the “Selman Stërmasi” stadium in the capital city.

Today marks the final phase of the International Architectural Concept Design Competition for its revitalization, where the five finalist teams are presenting their architectural concepts to the Jury. These proposals envision a completely new stadium, built to UEFA Category IV standards, which will turn the surrounding area into a new hub in Tirana.

The competing teams are: OMA + RH DHV + LOLA Landscape Architects + Albanian Investment;  Construction sh.p.k + Diagonal Projektim & Zbatim sh.p.k ”;  “Far Frohn & Rojas + sbp-schlaich-bergermann-partner + TOPOTEK I + Transsolar; Klimaengineering + Adrian Paci + Progeen sh.p.k”; “Foster & Partners + Artech Studio sh.p.k + Artech Group + Bolv Oil”; “ZAHA HADID Architects + AGIKONS sh.p.k”; “Office KGDVS + l’AUC + Baukuh + ARQUITECTURA-G + Yelloë Office + Ne Arkitektët + Matilde; Cassani + Bollinger & Grohmann + ALES Construction ”.

The opening of the project presentations by the participating teams was addressed by Prime Minister Edi Rama.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone for being here, and above all, sincere thanks to the studios who are here with their teams for this competition — yet another initiative organized by the Albanian Investment Corporation, aimed at a development of great importance for the capital city in many aspects.

I would also like to extend special thanks to the members of the international jury, and in particular to the friends who have kindly accepted to be part of it — Lorena, Manda, and Florian, along with Mikel. They are four well-known architects, three of whom are already involved in projects in Tirana, while I truly hope Lorena will be working here soon as well.

I’m very pleased as well that, following the development of three new stadiums — and with this opportunity, I’d like to respond to the many who have been asking, “What’s happening with those three stadiums?” — all three are currently in process. The winning proposals have been selected, the implementation projects have been completed, and the Albanian Investment Corporation has launched the call for developers. So, everyone is invited to explore these three development opportunities. In fact, they are not merely stadiums, but new urban centers — in Durrës, Vlorë, and Korçë.

Now, it’s the turn of the “Selman Stërmasi” stadium. And just like with the previous ones, based on the requirements set out for the studios, this too is envisioned not simply as a stadium, but as a nucleus for a new urban center. I am confident — especially considering the caliber of the competing studios — that we will be in a position to make an excellent choice.

Likewise, I would like to mention several other ongoing processes: the project for the construction of the new administrative center near the “Selman Stërmasi” stadium, which will house 18 institutions; the project for the new Cadastre building, which is essential for many reasons, particularly for consolidating the entire workflow of the Cadastre; and the new National Library — a competition for which will soon be announced, regarding private development in support of the investment for the new National Library.

Meanwhile, work is underway on the new Football Academy, the Manchester City Academy in Durrës. Soon, we will begin construction of the Rafa Nadal Academy, also in Durrës, and the Agency is currently in discussions with the NBA for an NBA Academy in Durrës, where we aim to establish a dedicated destination for sports academies.

Lastly, and very soon as well — and I mention this because I know there are quite a few representatives from various companies here, but also for everyone else to hear — AIC will be announcing the processes for developing a new parking system in the capital and along the coastline. This new parking system will involve all the international architects who are already part of our daily landscape and who form an extraordinary network. With them, we will also be organizing the Architecture Festival in Tirana — the International Festival at the beginning of June.

Speaking of parking, the goal is to address one of the major challenges of this development: the need for significantly more parking and a far more acceptable circulation system, which is already beginning to show signs of visible difficulty.

So, mentioning all this — and without taking up time from the most important part for which you have all come — I would like to thank you once again for your presence here. I’m truly pleased that we’ve managed, here in Albania, in Tirana, to organize events of this scale that celebrate creativity, celebrate architecture, celebrate development, and at the same time are in the public eye through the media broadcasting them live.

Once again, thank you to the jury members, and best of luck to all the studios.