Located 25 kilometers from Saranda, very near Albania’s south border with Greece, the Butrint National Park is a natural place with archaeological remains and a high a degree of biodiversity, including within it Lake Butrint and the Vivari Channel, which connects the lake to the Ionian Sea. The ruins of the old city of Butrint, with early settlements dating back to the 7th century BC, are UNESCO-listed and the wetland is protected by the international importance given to it by the Ramsar Convention.

The scheme that has won the competition for a visitor center in Butrint National Park creates two centers: a ‘mountain gate’ at the top and the ‘archaeological site gate’ at the bottom. Limestone roofs rise from the ground, drawing inspiration from the natural rock formations around and from vernacular Albanian architecture, with a structure combining wood and steel. The winning proposal also presents a series of platforms, piers, and additional paths that link up with existing trails and suggest new discoveries.

Competition finalists

Competition Organizer: Malcolm Reading Consultants