Sustainable Design Choices in Rozafa Tower

Sustainable design is at the heart of Rozafa Tower, the vibrant new mixed-use landmark rising in Shkodra. Designed by acclaimed Spanish studios selgascano + FRPO, the project demonstrates how bold contemporary architecture can harmonize with environmental responsibility, especially in a warm Mediterranean climate prone to heavy rainfall.

From material choices to passive strategies, every decision prioritizes longevity, energy efficiency, and integration with the natural surroundings.

Key Sustainable Features

Extensive Use of Wood

The tower’s dynamic facades are clad in varied wooden textures, creating a warm, natural aesthetic that visually lightens the volume. Wood is renewable, sequesters carbon, and provides excellent thermal insulation. Different finishes and tones add visual richness while maintaining an eco-conscious palette.

Deep Perimeter Terraces

Generous deep terraces wrap the entire building, offering shaded outdoor living spaces for residents and hotel guests. These terraces act as natural buffers, reducing solar heat gain in summer and protecting interiors from heavy rain—common in Shkodra’s climate. They also extend usable space without increasing the building’s footprint.

Optimized Solar Orientation

The triangular floor plan deliberately excludes northern orientations, ensuring all apartments and hotel rooms receive abundant natural light from east, south, and west. This passive solar strategy minimizes reliance on artificial lighting and heating while maximizing panoramic views of the Albanian Alps, Lake Shkodra, and Rozafa Castle.

Vibrant Yet Responsible Color Palette

Accents in yellows, oranges, and light greens on railings, parasols, and structural elements are carefully selected low-VOC paints that enhance the joyful character of the building without environmental harm.

Benefits Beyond Environment

These sustainable choices improve occupant comfort through better natural ventilation, daylight, and outdoor connection. They also contribute to lower operational energy costs for residents, hotel operators, and commercial tenants—delivering long-term economic value alongside ecological responsibility.

A Model for Future Development

Rozafa Tower proves that iconic, expressive architecture need not compromise on sustainability. By blending innovative form with thoughtful material and climatic strategies, selgascano + FRPO have created a landmark that respects Shkodra’s natural and cultural context while pointing toward a greener future for Albanian cities.

As the project progresses, it sets a compelling example for developers across the region: bold design and environmental stewardship can—and should—go hand in hand.