Abstract:
This research provides a sustainable design proposal for the bus terminal of
Gjirokastra. Gjirokastra is a historical city in southern Albania, which is included in
the World Heritage List in 2005 due to its remarkable examples of Ottoman period
houses that provide a unique vernacular urban landscape. The city`s urban structure is
strongly influenced by its hilly topography and the Drino valley, where was founded.
The study departs from the need for a new bus terminal, which is planned to be
built in an ex-socialist period leather factory, according to the General Local Plan
(PPV). To achieve this goal the research investigates and uses certain principles of
sustainability, which are included into the design process of the bus terminal and
adaption of the existing industrial buildings. Furthermore, the proposal apart from the
functional requirements of the bus terminal, it provides sustainable solutions which
include economic, social and environmental issues and uses more sustainable building
materials that can diminish waste and are environmentally friendly.
In addition, it also uses adaptive re-use as another sustainable design method
for the transformation of the ex-leather factory, not only conserving the existing
structure, but also getting use of it for certain functions but also providing cultural
continuation of certain local craftwork by exhibiting them. The methods used in the
research are archival research, visual documentation through photo shooting, urban
analysis to explore the potential of the context as well as architectural proposals on the
basis of sustainable design.
