The first phase of the international competition for the visitor center in Butrint is closed. The four finalist teams are (in alphabetical order of the leading studio):
- Kengo Kuma & Associates (Japan) with CHwB Albania, YOKE, Esmeralda Agolli, Ervin Paci, SOLARON Albania, iMEPS Engineering & Consulting, and R-Team Engineering;
- Lahdelma & Mahlamäki Architects (Finland) with Geometria Architecture, doxiadis+, Ralph Appelbaum Associates, Giorgos Papazafiriou, and Sitowise
- Philippe PROST / AAPP (France) with Michel Desvigne Paysagiste, William Van Andringa, Terrell Group, ECO + CONSTRUIRE, and CL Design
- William Matthews Associates (UK) with Barker Langham, Harris Bugg Studio, Structure Workshop, and Atelier Ten.
These architect-led teams will now create concept designs. The new center is intended to be a gateway to the wider National Park as well as help the Butrint Management Foundation better manage rising visitor numbers for the WHS focused on the ancient city of Butrint, which is recognized as Albania’s chief cultural attraction.
The new center will welcome and orient visitors and serve as an educational forum and community-gathering place, as well as a regional hub for other nearby natural and cultural visitor attractions.
Proposed designs will respect the WHS and Outstanding Universal Values as well as the wider National Park, being sympathetic to the landscape and built cultural heritage.
The anonymous competition submissions will be judged by a jury of local and international experts, including representatives from the Butrint Management Foundation.
The international visitor center competition is funded by the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF) and organized by the British company Malcolm Reading Consultants for the Butrint Management Foundation, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture.