Berdenesh Hills: NOA’s Contemporary Citadel Redefining Architecture on Albania’s Southern Coast
Along Albania’s southern coastline, where the Ionian Sea meets rugged hills shaped by centuries of wind, salt, and human settlement, a new architectural landmark has emerged with quiet authority. Berdenesh Hills, designed by NOA (Network of Architecture), is not a conventional resort, villa, or monument. Instead, it presents itself as a contemporary citadel—a spatial and cultural reinterpretation of Albania’s fortified past, translated into modern architectural language.
This project stands at the intersection of landscape architecture, cultural memory, and contemporary Mediterranean design. It is not architecture imposed on nature, but architecture carved into it—an approach that resonates deeply with both regional history and global discussions on sustainable, context-driven design.
The Geographic and Cultural Context of Berdenesh Hills
Albania’s Southern Coast: A Landscape of Defense and Dialogue
Southern Albania has long been a strategic territory. From Illyrian settlements to Byzantine fortifications and Ottoman castles, the coastline is defined by citadels perched on hills, overlooking trade routes and the sea. These structures were never decorative; they were instruments of survival, control, and identity.
Berdenesh Hills sits within this lineage. Its elevated position recalls historic strongholds such as Porto Palermo Castle and the hilltop towns of Himarë and Gjirokastër. Yet NOA’s intervention does not replicate history—it extracts its essence.
NOA’s Architectural Philosophy at Work
From Fortress to Framework
NOA is known for architecture that balances narrative, geometry, and place-specific logic. In Berdenesh Hills, the firm abandons the literal idea of walls and battlements, replacing them with terracing, massing, and sectional depth.
The “citadel” here is not a closed object but an open system:
- Buildings step along the slope like defensive layers
- Circulation paths echo ancient ramparts
- Volumes are fragmented, not monolithic
This fragmentation reduces visual impact while reinforcing the idea of a settlement rather than a single building.
Architectural Composition and Spatial Organization
Terraced Geometry and Topographic Integration
The most striking feature of Berdenesh Hills is how seamlessly it aligns with the terrain. Rather than flattening the site, NOA allows the natural slope to dictate form.
Key spatial strategies include:
- Horizontal terracing that follows contour lines
- Stepped volumes to preserve sea views from every level
- Sunken courtyards that provide privacy and microclimate control
This approach mirrors ancient hillside towns, where architecture evolved as an extension of the land.
Materiality: A Dialogue Between Past and Present
Stone, Concrete, and the Mediterranean Palette
Material selection plays a crucial role in grounding Berdenesh Hills within its environment. NOA avoids glossy finishes or expressive façades, opting instead for earth-toned, tactile materials.
Primary materials include:
- Locally inspired stone cladding
- Exposed or lightly treated concrete
- Natural timber accents for warmth
These materials age gracefully, allowing the project to patinate rather than deteriorate, a key principle in sustainable Mediterranean architecture.
The result is a structure that feels excavated rather than constructed—an architectural artifact emerging from the hillside.
Light, Shadow, and Climate Responsiveness
Designing for the Southern Albanian Sun
The Albanian south experiences intense sunlight, strong coastal winds, and seasonal temperature variations. Berdenesh Hills responds through passive design strategies rather than mechanical dependence.
Architectural solutions include:
- Deep-set openings to reduce solar gain
- Shaded walkways inspired by fortress corridors
- Courtyards that encourage cross-ventilation
Light is treated as a spatial material, carefully modulated to create contrast between bright exterior terraces and cooler interior zones.
This controlled interplay of light and shadow reinforces the citadel metaphor—spaces of refuge balanced with openness.
Landscape Architecture as an Extension of the Citadel
Reclaiming Native Ecology
Rather than introducing ornamental landscaping, the project restores and enhances native vegetation. Low-water plants, shrubs, and grasses stabilize the terrain while maintaining visual continuity with the surrounding hills.
Paths wind through the site like ancient defensive routes, encouraging slow movement and discovery. The landscape does not frame the architecture; it absorbs it.
Interior Spaces: Modern Comfort Rooted in Context
Minimalism with Cultural Depth
Interior spaces within Berdenesh Hills are deliberately restrained. The design avoids excess ornamentation, allowing proportion, material texture, and framed views to define the experience.
Key interior characteristics:
- Neutral palettes reflecting stone and sand
- Large openings aligned with the horizon
- Built-in elements that reduce visual clutter
The interiors do not compete with the exterior; they serve as calm retreats, reinforcing the idea of the citadel as both shelter and observatory.
Sustainability and Long-Term Architectural Value
Beyond Trends and Iconic Gestures
Berdenesh Hills does not rely on spectacle. Its sustainability lies in:
- Minimal site disturbance
- Climate-responsive design
- Durable materials with low maintenance needs
In an era of short-lived architectural trends, this project positions itself as timeless, capable of remaining relevant for decades without stylistic fatigue.
Cultural Significance in Contemporary Albanian Architecture
Redefining National Identity Through Design
Post-communist Albania has seen rapid, often unregulated development along its coast. Berdenesh Hills offers a counter-narrative—one where development is thoughtful, restrained, and culturally literate.
Rather than importing foreign architectural languages, NOA:
- Reinterprets Albanian fortification logic
- Honors Mediterranean building traditions
- Aligns modern living with historical continuity
This makes the project not just an architectural achievement, but a cultural statement.
Global Relevance: Why Berdenesh Hills Matters Internationally
While deeply local, Berdenesh Hills resonates globally. It speaks to:
- Architects seeking alternatives to iconic excess
- Developers aiming for sustainable luxury
- Regions balancing tourism with cultural preservation
The project demonstrates that contemporary architecture can be powerful without being loud, and innovative without being alien.
Conclusion: A Citadel for the Future
Berdenesh Hills is not a nostalgic reconstruction nor a futuristic experiment. It is a measured, intelligent response to place, history, and environment. NOA’s contemporary citadel stands as proof that architecture gains strength when it listens—to the land, to climate, and to collective memory.
In redefining what a citadel can be, Berdenesh Hills transforms defense into dialogue, and isolation into integration. It is architecture that does not dominate the Albanian coast, but belongs to it.
