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OHI
47,2
254
Received 30 July 2021
Revised 14 October 2021
Accepted 19 October 2021
Open House International
Vol. 47 No. 2, 2022
pp. 254-281
© Emerald Publishing Limited
0168-2601
DOI 10.1108/OHI-07-2021-0157
A hierarchical definitional
framework for a heterogeneous
context: housing typologies in
Tirana, Albania
Edmond Manahasa
Architecture, Epoka University, Tirana, Albania
€
Ahsen Ozsoy
Architecture, Işık University, Istanbul, Turkey, and
Odeta Manahasa
Architecture, Epoka University, Tirana, Albania
Abstract
Purpose – The proposed definitional framework can be used to define housing typologies of cities in
developing countries. It aims to define housing typologies in the capital city of Albania, Tirana, using the
proposed hierarchical framework within the dynamics of four political periods: Ottoman, establishment,
socialist and postsocialist.
Design/methodology/approach – This study proposes a new definitional approach for the housing
typologies through a hierarchical framework that defines the typologies based on their political period and
legality statuses departing from the case of Tirana, which is featured by a heterogeneous context. Such context
is characterized by uncontrollable urban development, making typology definition problematic. Furthermore,
beyond the form, spatial and functional features, it presents their exterior distinctiveness as an innovative
element. The methodology used in the study includes archival research, image documentation, spatial,
functional and exterior distinctiveness analysis of housing typologies and exploration of housing form features
in different political periods.
Findings – The study identifies urban formal housing typologies in Tirana detached houses, apartments,
mass housing, social housing, gated communities, informal detached houses and housing with in/formal
additions.
Originality/value – This definitional approach can be used to define housing typologies for cities featured by
heterogeneous urban context.
Keywords Hierarchical, Definitional framework, Heterogeneous context, Housing typologies
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
The definition of housing typologies has been a matter of discussion between scholars.
The research context plays an essential role in this process. While the Italian school
researchers (Muratori, 1959; Caniggia, 1963; Rossi, 1966; Cataldi, 2003; Petruccioli, 1998)
aimed to define the typologies as part of the city featured by a homogeneous urban form,
other scholars worked on a more heterogeneous urban context (Remali et al., 2016; Salama,
2006), sometimes featured by informal housing (G€ ur and Y€ uksel, 2019). While the first
research context can be related to the “western” world, the second is more related to the
developing countries.
A stable political system produces a more homogeneous spatial development, whereas a
changing one generates a heterogeneous urban context. Research shows that the impact of
political systems is very strong on socioeconomic and cultural aspects of life, consequently on
housing development. Thus, in the case of heterogeneous urban context while the
political periods work as a major defining element for housing typologies (Remali et al., 2016;
Salama, 2006), other factors such as informality, migration and urban planning inefficiencies, Housing
capital pressure typical for developing countries push for more comprehensive research. typologies in
This research aims to propose a definitional framework for this kind of multilayered
heterogeneous frenetic urban context, departing from the case of Tirana. In this postsocialist
Tirana,
city, the pressure of a liberal-capitalist economy for high-rise/dense housing developments Albania
and the informality is present in different forms.
The study’s main research question is how to define the housing typologies in such a
heterogeneous urban context as Tirana and its defining elements. The research gains 255
importance not only in the local context, but also because it aims to contribute to the
theoretical body by the proposed definitional framework. To answer the questions, the study
uses archival research, image documentation, spatial, functional and exterior distinctiveness
analysis of housing typologies and exploration of housing forms. It also considers the impact
of socioeconomic and cultural parameters in typology formation during different political
periods.

1.1 Defining housing typologies

The first traces on typology are based on the definitions made in the 18th century by
Quatremere de Quincy on the type (Kelbaugh, 1996). Although type is given as a synonym of
a “model,” he also provides the difference between them, depicting “type” as an image of a
thing to be copied. In contrast, the model is described as an idea with specific rules from which
it is maintained (Leupen and Mooij, 2011, p. 49). Based on that, the theoretical framework of
housing typologies relies on classifying/categorizing housing into types (Remali et al., 2016).
Other scholars have defined typology as a “classification of models” (Salama, 2006) or
“organic ensemble of the common characteristics of buildings” that evolved within a
particular time (Petruccioli, 2009).
To achieve a typology, there is an emphasis on the role of the “typological process” within
which there is a dominant building type that influences the new types by implying similar
features (Gokce and Chen, 2019). However, it might carry slight differences to the original
within a particular time (Whitehand et al., 2014). These similarities that form the typology
should be formal and spatial (Demiri, 1983; Gulgonen and Laisney, 1982, Remali et al., 2016)
and functional features (Petruccioli, 1998).
The theoretical research on typology can be traced into two grounds. The first one is
related to Muratori and Caniggia’s works by the 1960s, known as founders of the Italian
School of Typology (Cataldi, 2003). They saw the city as a living organism, continuously
changing the “metabolic process” (Gokce and Chen, 2019). According to Muratori and
Caniggia (Cataldi, 2003), city is an organism that can be arranged by smaller physical
components starting from building to urban tissue, urban entity and regional scale. Similarly,
other scholars (Cullen, 1995; Kropf, 1996) building on cities’ urban patterns focused on their
character or identity. Conceptually, housing typologies are definitional efforts that
instrumentalize residential buildings to establish city identity or character, especially
within changing cities’ urban and physical transformation contexts (Kropf, 1996; Manahasa
and Manahasa, 2020).
The second theoretical ground is related to the works of Argan (1963), who focused on the
investigation of typology in building scale. He revived the idea of “Quatremere de Quincy’s”
text by the 1960s, according to which the primary set of building elements, which can be used
to produce a similar type, are “internal form structure” (Nesbitt, 2005, p. 240). Argan (1963)
proposed three typological levels to define the buildings: 1. the overall building configuration,
2. the major structural elements and 3. the decorative elements. Later they were detailed by
Leupen and Mooij (2011). The first level of the overall building configuration is detailed:
urban ensemble, residential buildings (which included spatial organization and dwelling
OHI access) and dwellings. While for the second-level structure part, they keep it similar. The third
47,2 one (the decorative elements) is divided into the skin, scenery of the space and service
elements.
Furthermore, the skin presents the building to the outside world and consists of a façade,
underside and roof. Space scenery defines the visual and tactile properties of the inner spaces.
Likewise, the service elements include the pipes and ducts, devices and other facilities.
Muratori and Caniggia’s theoretical study used housing typologies as instruments to
256 analyze and define the cities’ urban morphology. In contrast, Argan’s group efforts focused
on theorizing definitional approaches for building and housing typologies through
architectural elements.
The housing typology’s definitional approaches are observed to be composed of physical
elements grouped into two: 1. urban scale elements and 2. architectural scale elements.
(1) The focus of the definitional approaches that use urban scale’s physical elements
analyzes the city morphology. The physical definitional elements in urban scale are
achieved by studying mainly the cities’ urban tissues or districts morphological
elements in the form of hierarchy between public and private spaces relation (Gygax,
2007) or street layout and patterns (Ryan, 2006) or the relation between building and
open space design (Racine, 2016) and building plan street layout and district pattern
(Gokce and Chen, 2019).
(2) Architectural scale definitional approaches’ primary aim is to define housing
typologies, including building plans, which are seen in the works of Corsini (1997),
Dufaux (2000), Darin (2010), Maretto and Scardigno (2016) and Remali et al. (2016).
Building façades are used in the same works as Corsini (1997) and Dufaux (2000),
while building geometry is seen in Ozsoy et al. (1996). Roof floor elements (Corsini,
1997) and roof types (Dufaux, 2000) are also used as architectural scale definitional
elements.

1.2 Toward a hierarchical definitional approach for housing typologies

The shared key point of all scholars expressed in different forms is related to the
distinctiveness of the features that characterize the housing typologies. Thus, the similarity
(Gokce and Chen, 2019) needed for housing developments to develop a typology
simultaneously generates distinctive features that differentiate from other typologies and
produce a specific authentic physical environment. Another aspect that needs to be taken into
consideration is the elements that constitute the distinction.
Beyond the formal, spatial and functional features (Demiri, 1983; Gulgonen and Laisney,
1982; Petruccioli, 1998; Remali et al., 2016), the outer appearance of the housing typologies
plays an essential role in identifying them. The distinguishment in the exterior of housing
typologies can be realized in two forms: 1. architectural style or 2. tectonic qualities. While the
architectural style is evident, with the tectonic qualities, we mean the materiality of the
technology used in the building exterior, which produces its distinguishing image. This
research’s definitional approach (Image 1) shares certain similarities with Corsini (1997) and
Dufaux (2000), who also used building façades to define typologies.
At the same time, the study builds on Argan’s (1963) third levels’ first division “skin”
(Leupen and Mooij, 2011, p. 49). It refers to the components of the form (which consists of a
detached house, semidetached, row house, apartment and mass housing), spatiality (which
consists of single space, depth, width, core and height) and functions (living room, bedroom,
dining room, kitchen, utility room and bathroom) partly based on the definitions conducted
by Leupen and Mooij (2011).
Thus, considering a heterogeneous urban context, which is an output of differing political
periods and is featured by informal housing, this research proposes to use a hierarchical
 Housing
typologies in
Tirana,
Albania

257

Image 1.
Tirana housing
patterns in
heterogeneous urban
context (Tirana
municipality Digital
Archive)

definitional framework. This framework works as a matrix (Figure 1). Apart from housing
form, spatial and functional features (mentioned by other scholars) adds political period, legal
status and exterior distinctiveness, in case they act as particular distinct components for
typologies’ identification.

2. Tirana political periods and housing strategies

The decision to make Tirana the capital in 1920 was a turning point in destiny and,
consequently, in the city’s urban development. Before proclaiming a capital city, it was a
typical Ottoman town characterized by organic urban development (Manahasa and Ozsoy,€
2017). The urban pattern of the city is generally featured by tile-roofed covered housing

Figure 1.
A hierarchical
definitional approach
for housing typologies
OHI developed in a spontaneous individual way. After Tirana became capital, beyond the newly
47,2 arrived governmental officers’ dwelling needs, it also became the new attraction of wealthy
merchants from other cities. After changing the regime from republic to kingdom, King Zog
allocated land for the governmental administration housing (Tomes, 2011). In this period,
these two social groups were the driving forces of housing development. Mainly they built
villa-type detached houses.
The invasion of Albania from Italy was propagandized as closer cooperation. Aiming to
258 invade more countries, the Italians selected Tirana to model their expansion (Tase, 2012).
During the Italian invasion period, the regime engaged Italian architects to provide the city’s
first regulatory urban plans. There were constructed apartment blocks for the Italian
administration planned to settle in Tirana’s newly developed zones. Due to the Nazi invasion
of 1942, they were not fully implemented.
The early socialist period was associated with an urgent need for dwellings because of the
highly demolished housing stock in Second World War. The communist regime adopted an
industrialization strategy according to the Soviet model aiming to increase the impact of the
working class. There was a general shift of population from small areas to cities, and by 1964,
the number of cities doubled from 24 to 50 (Manahasa, 2017). The government had an active
policy for internal migration from rural to urban areas, which was done to meet the factories’
needs. Meanwhile, the Tirana population increased considerably. Housing during the
socialist period had to be developed based on equality and collectivism.
The housing planning decision was taken in the Labor Party congresses, including a five-
year development program (Bego, 2009). The housing developmental strategies included
Soviet models based on Stalinist neo-classicist architecture, housing based on voluntary
work, Chinese-model-based prefabricated panel housing applied in satellite towns close to the
factories for working classes, and the housing for the elite of socialist regime was realized at
the perimeter of the city center. In contrast, there was a reserved neighborhood called “Bllok”
for the Politburo members, including the appropriation of apartment blocks designed for
Italian administration and villas of wealthy Albanian merchants.
The postsocialist period is featured by informal urban developments. The change of the
political system from centralized to the free-market economy resulted in the loss of jobs due to
the bankruptcy of state companies, furies of in-migration to Tirana, and the lack of
administrative capacities produced a chaotic, frenetic, uncontrolled urban situation (Aliaj,
2003; Manahasa and Manahasa, 2020; Misja and Misja, 2004). This urban context produced
informal settlements in the city center and periphery, a significant part of which was housing.
The informal housing in the periphery emerged on agricultural land’s usurpation. Ownership
was in a transitional status from state to private (Nase and Ocakci, 2010). In the city center it
evolved in two forms: those constructed on public green spaces and informal additions to
existing housing. A cleansing operation demolished the informal housing settlements in the
year 2000 (Manahasa, 2012).
In the meantime, in the post-socialist period, a typical formal housing form that evolved is
high-rise apartments and residential complexes mass housing, constructed at public space
expenses. Although not much in quantity, social housing was also implemented for low-
income families. The increasing level of prosperity in Tirana provided social class
differentiation, which naturally requested a higher dwelling level. Like other postsocialist
cities, this process led to gated communities in the south and eastern peripheries of Tirana,
which offered detached and multifamily housing (Tafa and Manahasa, 2021).

3. Materials and method

The methodology used in this research includes data collection, image documentation,
housing typology definitional framework through a hierarchical approach and an analysis of
housing forms evolution in different political periods. Thus, seen from political periods, we Housing
divide the housing typologies in Tirana into four: Ottoman, establishment, socialist and typologies in
postsocialist periods (Figure 2). Within the political periods, the study examines the impact of
socioeconomic and cultural parameters of the housing dwellers on the definition of housing
Tirana,
typologies. Albania
The gathering of housing typologies’ drawings is conducted from different sources.
The Ottoman and establishment period drawings are provided from the local literature.
The socialist period drawings are taken from the National Central Technical Archive 259
(AQTN). For the postsocialist period, they are obtained from the design studios.
The research uses a hierarchical approach for the definitional process of the typologies.
Thus, partly building on the existing theoretical framework identifies the housing typologies
by examining their periodical, legality status, form, spatial, functional and exterior
distinctiveness features.
Thus, we define the typologies, referring to the most dominant features that provide the
needed distinguishment to form a typology. The Ottoman period typologies are defined
based on their form and spatial qualities. The establishment and socialist periods’ typologies
are based on form and exterior distinctiveness, whereas the postsocialist period typologies
are based on form, legality status and exterior distinctiveness.

4. Housing typologies in different political periods in Tirana

The housing typologies in Tirana are strictly related to the political context that the city
underwent. The study arranges them into four periods: Ottoman, establishment, socialist and
postsocialist to explain their developmental context. It makes possible the observation of the
evolution of typologies within their socioeconomic and cultural dynamics. While housing
development’s legality status is formal, there is also informal housing in the postsocialist
period.

4.1 Ottoman period housing typologies

The Ottoman reminiscent traditional house typology evolved in the form of autochthonous
and local Tirana dwellers. Despite facing the destruction process, this typology still exists
due to postsocialist period urban developments, especially in the old town of Tirana. As
earlier stated, the old town developed on both sides of Dibra street, which served as the main
artery until the development operation undertaken by King Zog when Tirana became the

Figure 2.
A chronological
evolution chart of
urban housing
typologies in Tirana
OHI capital city. The traditional house typology is categorized into two: with k€oşk (pavilion) and
47,2 hearth (Baçe et al., 1980).
4.1.1 Ottoman reminiscent house with “K€oşk” (pavilion). Mainly this housing typology
represents the wealthy mercantile families, and generally, it has two floors. The planar
composition consists of an entrance hall (vestibule), which serves as a gathering and
distributive space to the rooms. It is worth mentioning that an extended family occupied a
traditional house of the presocialist period. Besides the primary parents, uncles, sons and
260 wives also lived within the same dwelling (Figure 3).
In front of the hall on the second floor, between two flanking rooms, which are placed in the
main façades, a space that possess more windows, more public character is called k€oşk (i.e.
pavilion), after which this typology is named (Baçe et al., 1980). In this housing typology, the
spaces are also divided on social use bases such as selamlik (i.e. public space dedicated for
men) and haremlik (i.e. private space for women).
4.1.2 Ottoman reminiscent house with hearth. A second typology based on its spatial
features is the Ottoman reminiscent detached house with a hearth. This typology is more
related to middle-class families; thus, this limited socioeconomic status, combined with the
habitation of the extended family, has impacted its spatial organization. Its main feature is the
hearth room, which is double spaced, and the hearth is in its center. This room possesses a
wooden staircase leading to the upper floor spaces by a “mahfil,” a wooden cantilevered
balcony (Figure 4).
An example of this typology is Shijaku House, which possesses the hearth room space.
Originally, Ottoman reminiscent detached house façades were predominated by a
whitewashed plaster exterior; however, after Tirana became the capital city, many of these
dwellings were influenced by “Novecento” Italian style masked by neohistoricist elements.

4.2 Establishment period housing typologies

With the proclamation of Tirana as the capital city in 1920, there started a new urban
development era. As a capital, Albanian and Italian architects started to design Tirana during
the King Zog regime. During the 1920–1942 period, Italian-influenced dwellings developed
detached houses and multifamily apartment blocks (Bushati, 2012).

Figure 3.
Three Toptani Houses:
Representatives of
Ottoman Reminiscent
house with k€oşk (top)
and (bottom) ground
and first floor plan
scheme of the last one
(Kalaci and
Dervishi, 2014)
 Based on King Zog’s practice, the state officers were given site plots in the zone currently Housing
known as “Tirana e re” and Bllok. The styles used were Italian historicist “Novecento” and typologies in
“modern rationalist” styles, both being the most common trends in Italy. The owners of such
villas were eminent state officers and wealthy merchants. These villas also played a
Tirana,
particular role in women’s emancipation in the closed Albanian society (Tomes, 2011). They Albania
provided the proper infrastructure for aristocratic life. In this period beyond the detached
houses emerge, also the first apartment buildings as are explained below. The Italian-
influenced housing offered personalized spaces in modernist concept, which were different 261
from Ottoman reminiscent houses. From a spatial point of view, the concepts of living room,
bedroom and corridors were introduced instead of previous Ottoman typology
(Bushati, 2012).
4.2.1 Italian Novecento-style detached house. The most distinguishing elements of the
Novecento-style detached house are the neohistoricist decorations on the façade. An example
of this typology is the Petrela house (Figure 5). Situated in the very center of the city, the
ground floor is designed for commercial activities. Apart from the style, the influence of
Western culture is reflected through its spatial features. The evolution of separate living
space, dining room and kitchen is testimonial of this paradigm shift in plan scheme among
many bedrooms. Furthermore, this typology offered higher living conditions due to the
contemporary technology and materials used (Bushati, 2012).
4.2.2 Italian rationalist-style detached house. Compared to the previous typology, there are
no significant differences in the rationalist-style detached house spatial features and plan
scheme (Figure 6). The difference is inherent in the exterior of this typology, which is
designed by the purist approach. Representative examples of this typology are the Fortuzi
house and Nepravishta house. In some instances, the facades are kept pure. However, in other
cases, the fenestration is treated in rectangular frames, and their terracotta bricks are used.
4.2.3 Italian rationalist-style apartments. The first apartments started to be constructed
after Albania’s Italian invasion in 1939. They were designed to accommodate the Italian army
administration and officers; thus, they reflected a Western cultural influence. During the
socialist period, they were dwelled by high cadres of the Albanian army. Locally, they are
known as “Aviation” apartment blocks, apartment blocks of military corps of engineers
“Xhenio,” “Moskate” apartment blocks and “White” apartment blocks (Figure 7).

Figure 4.
Shijaku House
representative of
Ottoman reminiscent
typology house with
hearth version and
plan schemes (Baçe
et al., 1980)

Figure 5.
Image of Italian
Legation (left), Petrela
House (center) and its
Plan Scheme (right-
Bushati, 2012)
OHI
47,2

262

Figure 6.
Image of fortuzi house
(left), nepravishta
house (center) and
ground and first floor
plan schemes (bottom-
Bushati, 2012)

Figure 7.
Image of Aviation,
Xhenio and Moskate
apartment blocks (top
from left to right) and
Aviation site plan
(bottom left) and
(bottom-right) ground
floor plan of a typical
apartment
block (AQTN)

Their main distinguishing feature is the design in rationalist style. Analyzing the example of
“Aviation” apartments, each building was designed as three-storied. The apartment blocks
are entered through a framed monumental exterior door. A wide corridor leads to the
staircase, serving as the core. The typical floor comprises two apartments, while the upper Housing
floor is allocated only for one apartment. The apartments’ spaciousness is impressive because typologies in
they possess a living room, separate kitchen, two bedrooms, bathroom and storage.
The façades are covered with red terracotta bricks, and the windows are framed.
Tirana,
The building’s interior gives the feeling of a noble space due to the qualitative materials Albania
(especially the polychromatic marble) and the high floors’ spaciousness.
263
4.3 Socialist period housing typologies
During the socialist period, housing development was used as a tool to implement the socialist
doctrine. They were given names matching this ideology, such as the “Partizani” or “Dinamo”
neighborhood. Based on equality and collectivism principles, the housing construction was
dominated by apartments and mass housing. These housing forms will provide five housing
typologies: low-quality apartments, high-quality apartments, Soviet neoclassicist mass
housing, panel mass housing and silica brick mass housing.
4.3.1 Socialist low-quality apartment typology. A nonplastered architecture mainly
characterizes the socialist period’s low-quality dwelling. This housing typology was
constructed during the 1950s when the need for the dwelling was immediate due to the
immense destruction of Second World War. However, the construction of such low-quality
dwellings accelerated after the 1967 “Cultural Revolution,” in which the concept of “socialist
man” was launched (Figure 8).
In this period, apartment blocks were constructed by voluntary work. People employed in
certain institutions worked at the construction with the masters after regular working hours.
Sometimes other family members worked in the sites hoping that the family would be given
the dwelling after fulfilling the working hour criteria. Usage of voluntary work and
nonskilled or low-skilled workers and the low budget resulted in this housing typology.
During the first phase of this strategy, these dwellings were constructed in vacant sites
considering no private property. The socialist period administrators forced the architects to

Figure 8.
Low-quality apartment
typology at Myslym
Shyri Street (top),
(bottom-left) site plan
of a neighborhood at
Shemsi Haka street and
typical plan scheme
(bottom-right-
Bego, 2009)
OHI construct apartment blocks on up to two floors, which, according to Bego (2009), brought
47,2 misuse of land in the city. The dwellers placed in these apartment blocks belonged to low
social class. However, even university lecturers would work (Dervishi, 2014; as mentioned in
Manahasa, 2017).
4.3.2 Socialist high-quality apartment typology. The dwellings at the Tirana center’s
perimeter were treated more specifically (Manahasa, 2017). Aside from the location, this
zone’s importance during the socialist period is higher since its inhabitants were high cadres
264 of ministries and artists. Alongside the high socioeconomic status of their dwellers, the
dwellings were designed by the best architects of the period, such as Prushi, Pepa, Velo,
Kolevica and Alimehmeti. This housing typology designed in the vicinity of Skanderbeg
square included: “9 Kateshet,” “National Historical Museum” apartment blocks, “Palace with
Cubes” and apartments blocks close to Bank of Albania (Figure 9).
These apartments, designed in the 1980s, are characterized by qualitative materials in the
façade and advanced technology for the period (elevator in the “9 Kateshet” apartment
blocks). From the spatial point of view, they offered more qualitative spaces and were
equipped with a bathtub, considered a luxury for the time.
Due to the very central location, the socialist regime allowed more flexible design forms,
including curvilinear shapes in plans and façades. The ground floors were allocated for
shops, while the upper parts had only residential functions. The façades were treated with

Figure 9.
Images of high-quality
housing typology at
the perimeter of the city
center (top-) and
(bottom) typical plan
scheme designed by
Petraq
Kolevica (AQTN)
local terracotta, while the ground floor was cladded with Gjirokastra marble. Although the Housing
main façade was covered with qualitative materials, the rear part was only plastered. typologies in
4.3.3 Soviet neoclassicist mass housing typology. After Second World War, Albania’s
positioning in the East block prepared the basis for adopting and using Soviet Union models
Tirana,
in each field of life. A similar process happened to the housing development strategy. The Albania
Soviet housing models used in the case of Tirana featured neoclassicist elements after Stalin
adopted neoclassicism as a formal architectural language of his regime. In Tirana, this
typology is seen in the “Shallvaret” apartment blocks, “Agimi” apartment blocks and a more 265
fragmental way in “Zog I” boulevard and Durresi street. To better understand this typology
of “Shallvaret,” apartment blocks will be explained here.
They started to be constructed in 1950. The project was based on the Soviet model
designed by Aristov and supervised by Strazimiri. The dwellers of “Shallvaret” apartment
blocks were primarily officers of the Ministry of Defense and Internal Affairs. It consisted of
20 blocks, mainly five floors, while some were seven floors (Figure 10).
The blocks were positioned adjacent to one another, forming wings, giving the whole
settlement a quasi-serpentine character and forming public piazzas rectangular. The street’s
relation is made possible by arcades on two lower floors (Figure 15). The ground floor corner
spaces close to the street were allocated for shops. The first two floors in the façade are treated
by rustication, made of red bricks. The façades, in general, include neoclassicist elements
such as arches, pilasters, columns and balustraded balconies.
Each apartment block consists of a core that served as an entrance hall to four apartments,
except the corner core, which provided varying solutions according to shops’ spaces.
Apartments are mostly 2 þ 1; however, although rarely, 3 þ 1 is also provided in some

Figure 10.
Shallvaret and Agimi
Soviet Neoclassicist
Mass Housing
Typology (top) and
(bottom) Shallvaret
left-wing plan scheme
(left) and (right) site
plan (AQTN)
OHI instances. A typical feature encountered for the first time in Albania is the narrow shafts used
47,2 for toilet ventilation.
4.3.4 Socialist panel mass housing typology. The panel housing started to be implemented
in Albania after a prefabrication technology was brought from China in the 1970s (Aliaj,
2003). This technology aimed to provide in a short time cost-efficient housing. The factory’s
capacity was 2000 apartments in a year. This housing typology was realized in nine
peripheral settlements, which mainly served as dwellings for the working class in industrial
266 plants’ vicinity satellite towns.
The planar schemes of prefabricated apartment blocks were based on two typologies: no.1
and no.2. Furthermore, other versions generated from minor changes named 1a, 1b, 1b1, 1b2,
1b3 and 2a (Figure 11) were also provided. Both typologies were conceptualized to provide
row housing; while typology no.1 included two apartments, typology no.2 included three
apartments.
The apartments included the kitchenette embedded within living space (“aneks” in
Albanian) and a loggia that provided natural ventilation for the kitchen and the toilet beyond
its primary function. Although a limited number of planar schemes were used, the number of
façade versions used for the same typology was up to ten. The façades consist of modular
prefabricated concrete elements, which can be changed according to the used version. This
housing typology was designed with an open-air entrance and staircase core. Furthermore,
panel housing lacked thermal insulation, providing low environmental comfort.
4.3.5 Socialist silica brick mass housing typology. The silica brick housing typology started
to be constructed in 1968. According to Vaso (Manahasa, 2017), it was used due to a higher
production precision than red brick, providing a more aesthetical building appearance. This
tectonic quality of the silica brick plays a decisive role in defining it as a housing typology.
This typology can be found in different parts of the city. Its dwellers vary from the lowest
social class to the highest. For this typology, the focus is on the “Partizani” neighborhood
(Figure 12) located on the western edge of the city’s “Middle Ring.” Among the three
apartment block types used, we analyze the one placed diagonally on the street.

Figure 11.
Panel housing at “21
Dhjetori” quarter (top)
and typical plan
schemes type 1
(bottom-left) and (right)
type 2 (AQTN)
 The entrance to apartments is open to the public without the outer gate. The apartment Housing
block comprises three volumes: a longer horizontal one and two smaller perpendiculars to the typologies in
former.
The staircase cores are placed in between the adjacent façades of three blocks. Each core
Tirana,
possesses two 2 þ 1 apartments located in the longitudinal block and one 3 þ 1 apartment in Albania
the smaller volume. The façades are treated in a very rational manner, and they are
dominated by white silica brick. The windows are placed into frames, while the balconies are
in piped balustrades. The staircases in the façade are treated with a special partly open 267
ceramic brick performing a brise-soleil function.

4.4 Postsocialist period housing typologies

The postsocialist period was associated with dramatic urban developments in Albania.
Between 1992 and 2000 included informal and semiinformal constructions at the expense of
public spaces in the city center and informal housing in the suburbs (Pojani and Buka, 2015).
Based on this context, the study organizes the housing typologies into formal and informal. It
considers postsocialist detached houses, high-rise apartments, social mass housing and
residential complex mass housing in the formal typologies. Moreover, it also defines as formal
typologies housing forms observed in gated communities’ detached house and apartment. As
for the informal, we identify detached houses and apartments with informal/formal additions.
4.4.1 Postsocialist detached house typology. The postsocialist period gave landowners the
possibility to develop their properties. They built houses to either add a floor over their
traditional houses or build new villas in their lands. This dwelling typology was developed
based on the growing family members’ need for space. In some instances, the postsocialist
detached house possesses a courtyard. In the others, it is located at the road edges. The
socioeconomic status of their dwellers varies between mid and high. This typology is
encountered in many parts of the city, especially in the old town and central zones (Figure 13).
In houses constructed from the beginning, its plan scheme is treated as an apartment,
including a living space (“soggiorno” adopted from Italian), 2–3 bedrooms, toilets and a small
bathroom for the master bedroom on every floor. It was designed to allocate each floor to
different children when they grow up and, in certain situations, to lease a separate floor. The
houses were mostly covered with tiled roofs. At the same time, the façades are simple and
plastered and rarely are designed by fake neoclassical elements. Balconies are an apparent
element widely used in this typology, providing it almost for every room.
4.4.2 High-rise apartment typology. The high-rise apartment blocks are private housings
constructed either in public green spaces or in private sites by demolishing traditional houses

Figure 12.
Silica brick mass
housing typology at
“Partizani”
Neighborhood (left),
site plan (middle) and
(right) plan scheme of
an apartment
block (AQTN)
OHI and historical patterns. They were based on partial urban plans, which neglected the urban
47,2 criteria, causing a considerable reduction of cities’ public space between the years 2000 and
2010. Observed almost everywhere in the city, particular neighborhoods such as “Komuna e
Parisit” are “filled” densely with this typology (Figure 14). This typologies’ most
distinguishing element is being tower like a high-rise. Most of their dwellers are middle-
class families or young cohabitating couples who have settled in Tirana in the postsocialist
period (Pojani and Buka, 2015).
268 Spatially, this typology in the majority was designed with one entrance and one core. In
many cases, to maximize the profit, the architects were forced to solve the cores without
corridors. The emergency staircases and exits are not thought. Although it is in the minority
due to its qualitative spaces, an example of this typology is the “Torre Drin” building. The
lower floors are dedicated to commercial activities, whereas the upper floors are dedicated to
residential functions.
On the contrary to the typical examples, it possesses two stairs and two elevators.
The living space in most examples is conceptualized, including cooking, dining and sitting.
Generally, the apartments are designed with balconies. In most cases, the exterior of high-rise
apartment blocks is designed in plaster and dyer, aiming to keep costs as low as possible.
4.4.3 Residential complexes mass housing typology. The residential complexes were
constructed at the expense of sportive fields (“Partizani” Football Club training center) and
the land ownership issue’s chaotic context by supporting such development (Figure 15).

Figure 13.
Image of a postsocialist
detached house in the
“Shallvaret” zone (left),
at “Kavaja” Street
(center) and (right) a
typical floor plan of
this typology (AQTN)

Figure 14.
Image of a high-rise
apartment block
“Torre Drini”
apartment plan (left)
and (right) plan
scheme (AQTN)
 Housing
typologies in
Tirana,
Albania

269

Figure 15.
Image of Halili, Kika
and Homeplan
residential complexes
(top from left to right)
and (bottom-left) Halili
residential complex site
plan and fragmental
plan scheme (bottom-
Manahasa and
Kazazi, 2021)
OHI In some cases, many householders united to obtain the construction right in return for flat
47,2 agreements with developers. Likewise, for high-rise apartment typology, the dwellers of
residential complexes are newcomer middle-class families, young professionals and
cohabitating couples (Pojani and Buka, 2015).
The developers’ pressure to provide as many apartments as possible forced the architects
to bring plan solutions not spatially comfortable. This typology provides various apartments
starting from studio to 5 þ 1 type (Figure 15). The apartments’ cores are located at their center
270 and do not get natural light. As seen in the “Halili” residential complex, the number of
apartments entered from one core is large. Apartments are provided with more than one
balcony, and the kitchen is unified with the living space.
The exterior of the residential complex mass housing typology is characterized by freer
forms, such as curvilinear or circular shapes. Also, there are used higher quality materials in
the façades. These components are made possible due to the developments in construction
materials and technology. However, since their exterior does not share similarities, it cannot
be used as a definitional element.
4.4.4 Social mass housing typology. The concept of social housing as a form of dwelling
evolved in the postsocialist period. It was officially based on law no. 9232, which came into
force in May 2004. This strategy was familiar to Albanians in the socialist period when the
state provided housing to citizens of different social classes. Based on that, the municipality
of Tirana allocated a site in the city’s northeastern periurban neighborhood (Figure 16). The
dwellers of this housing typology were foreseen in the law as 1. emigrants returned from
abroad, 2. in-migrant workers, 3. families of martyr police, 4. disabled persons and 5. domestic
violence victims (Veterniku, 2016).
The apartments are rented to the beneficiaries at affordable prices and constructed
between the years 2008 and 2009. They are organized into four blocks, which are mainly in
“u” shapes and possess pocket gardens. In these six floors high apartments, the ground floors
are partially dedicated to disabled persons and partly for commercial activities. While most of
the apartments on a typical floor are 2 þ 1, they also include studio type, 1 þ 1 and 3 þ 1. The
exterior of apartment blocks is designed in joyful multicolor approach.
4.4.5 Gated communities. Gated communities started to be built in Tirana in the year 2010.
A major reason for the development was undoubtedly the dense, high-rise urban
development in postsocialist Tirana. The public spaces and greeneries were “preferred
prey” of developers and informal housing in the peripheral urban areas. It caused the inner
city to be densified with housing structures. It deteriorated the dwelling comfort of the urban
built environment (Manahasa and Ozsoy,€ 2017).
These conditions pushed the developers to orient their investments in peripheral zones,
which offered limited infrastructural investments. These housing developments are in the

Figure 16.
Social Housing Aerial
View (left), (center) an
image from green
spaces and (right)
typical floor plan
scheme
(Veterniku, 2016)
south and southeast zones of Tirana. They consist of villas and apartment blocks encircled by Housing
a physical wall. The first gated community settlement is “Kodra e Diellit,” in southern Tirana. typologies in
Other gated community housing developments (“Rolling Hills,” “Touch of the Sun,” “Kodra e
Diellit 2”) are constructed at the southeastern periphery (Figure 17). The socioeconomic status
Tirana,
of the dwellers of this typology is very high-income profile citizens, including wealthy Albania
investors, businessmen or CEOs.
The growing differences in income between social classes appear to lead to an increasing
number of Tirana communities. The gated communities are spacious in size, and exterior 271
aesthetics are sensitively curated. Compared to other nearby settlements, they are appealing
and attractive (Tafa and Manahasa, 2021). The housing typologies in the gated communities
can be divided into two: detached houses and apartment typology.
(1) Gated Community Detached Housing Typology
A typical example of gated community detached housing typology is the “Rolling Hills”
settlement. It consists of luxury villas, divided into three models ranging from 350 m2 to over
600 m2 (Figure 18). The detached housing units possess pools and are featured by abundant
greenery. The housing units are designed in a Neo-Baroque style. They are entitled in French
names such as Bordeaux, Grapevine and Champagne.
The Bordeaux villa is an example of this typology. It comprises three floors: underground
level, ground and the first floor (Figure 18). The ground floor is accessed through a loggia and
a small hall leading to a spacious living room equipped with a separate dining room and a big
kitchen. The living space has access to the terrace and the pool in the rear façade. A medium-
sized bedroom with a bathroom inside is located at the hall’s right, whereas the stairs serve as
a core. The first floor is dedicated to night spaces, including three bedrooms, each of which
contains a bathroom, one of each entered by a walk-through closet. The basement floor is
used for services, including a game room, a wine cellar, a utility room, a small toilet and a big
spacious terrace in the rear part.
(2) Gated Community Apartment Typology
An example of this typology is the “Touch of the Sun” settlement. It includes eight four-story
buildings (Figure 19). The apartment blocks are positioned at the site’s perimeter. The central
part includes a pool, playground for kids and green spaces in between. The apartment block’s
spatial configuration is organized around a core and possesses three apartments, two of the
2 þ 1 and one 3 þ 1.
The apartments offer a separate kitchen, demonstrating their spaciousness. Generally, the
master bedrooms are equipped with a separate bathroom as all apartments possess at least

Figure 17.
Location of gated
communities in the
south and southeastern
Tirana (left) and image
of firstly built Kodra e
Diellit (left, Tafa and
Manahasa, 2021)
OHI
47,2

272

Figure 18.
Site plan and an image
Rolling Hills gated
community (top) and
(bottom) Neoclassical
detached house
typology and
ground þ first-floor
plan (right, Tafa and
Manahasa, 2021)

Figure 19.
Images of Apartment
Typology Gated
Community “Touch of
the Sun” (top) and
(bottom) site plan and a
plan scheme (Tafa and
Manahasa, 2021)
two bathrooms. An entertaining and relaxing environment is found on the ground floor, Housing
including a gym, game room and cinema. Expansive terraces feature the apartments’ exterior typologies in
at the building’s perimeter. Partially, the façades are treated with terracotta, and windows are
designed with white frames.
Tirana,
4.4.6 Postsocialist informal housing. Informal housing is a phenomenon that evolved in the Albania
postsocialist period of Tirana. Due to internal migration and inefficiencies in urban
management at the central and local levels, informal housing evolved in the city’s suburbs. In
contrast, citizens enlarged their houses in the city center by constructing informal additions 273
to their existing buildings.
The informal housing in the suburbs evolved by families grouped according to blood
relations or place of origin, creating micro quarters with similar sociocultural backgrounds
(Manahasa, 2017). The first step toward acknowledging these informal settlements has been
the legalization process, which has been very long and problematic (Pojani, 2013).
(1) Informal Detached House Typology
The informal detached house has been the subject of continuous evolution. Once the land was
ensured, the settlers built temporal structures made of blocks or cottages (Pojani, 2013). The
construction of houses was realized in a second phase, mainly by manhandling. In most cases,
the bared reinforcement irons are left at the housings’ terrace, aiming to add upper floors
further. After almost three decades, the houses were finalized in the form of a detached house
of three to four floors. They are not architecturally designed, but the construction foremen
used local plan schemes such as the traditional Elbasan houses.
In some cases, the house construction, which had started from an informal settlement, has
ended in the form of a villa type (Figure 20). The exterior of the dwellings is treated with
qualitative finishing materials.

Figure 20.
Informal detached
houses in Bathore main
street (top) and (bottom
typical ground and
first floor plan based on
Elbasan traditional
house scheme (Author)
OHI The traditional Elbasan house plan scheme is entered through stairs to an upraised
47,2 veranda, following a big hall, functioning as a distributing space to the daily living space to
one side and two bedrooms on the opposite lateral side. The wet spaces sometimes are added
at the end of the hall perpendicular to the entrance. Sometimes they are added adjacent to the
cooking/eating area generating a quasi-labyrinthic circulation to the toilet.
(2) Housing with Informal/formal Additions Typology
274 During the postsocialist period, informality was witnessed in additions added to legal
housing. They sometimes closed the balcony with fenestration, sometimes built adjacent
columns to add another room or in some cases, constructed an additional upper floor in the
existing terrace (Figure 21). Once they were added to the original volume, their influence
resulted in creating a cacophony of composition. The additions are present everywhere in the
city, even in the most central streets. The socioeconomic profile of dwellers of this typology
varies from low to middle.
The additions initially were constructed illegally; however, law no 9482, date 03.04.2006,
directed the local administration to formalize them. The final product can be considered
aesthetical suicide because the additions provide an urban image characterized by a building
of disproportional compositions.

5. Discussion
In this part, the proposed hierarchical approach is discussed by referring to the definitional
elements of housing typologies of Tirana, compared with other cities typologies, which share
similar processes. The political periods proposed as the primary defining element in this
approach are used in a similar form also by Remali et al. (2016) as “historical eras” and also
Petruccioli (1998), who mentions that typologies are rooted in history through “chronological
order.” Dynamic paradigm shifts feature the political periods aside from the political agenda
through socioeconomic and cultural parameters (Salama, 2006), which influence the evolution
of housing legality status, form, spatial, functional and sometimes exterior features. The
housing typologies in Tirana are defined within four (4) political periods: Ottoman,
establishment, socialist and postsocialist periods.
In the Ottoman period, we examined two detached house typologies. Their
distinguishment providing elements are the spatial features, which we further divide into
1. house with k€oşk (pavilion) and 2. house with hearth. The most important aspects that have
impacted the Ottoman period typologies are socioeconomic and cultural parameters. The
house with k€oşk (pavilion) typology represents dwellers with noble/high socioeconomic
status. The division of spaces in public and for women depicts the influence of Ottoman/
Islamic culture in this typology. Apart from belonging to citizens of middle-class
socioeconomic status, the house with hearth typology and its habitation from the extended
family has impacted its spatial organization.

Figure 21.
A housing block
fragment with
informal/formal
additions shown in red
ink plan (left) and
different forms of
housing with informal/
formal additions
(Manahasa et al., 2020)
 In the establishment period, we identify the Italian influence on the housing typologies, Housing
which evolved into two forms: detached house and apartment. In this period, the usage of typologies in
Western models represented the strong impact of cultural parameters, which produced
spatial features of higher quality. The influence of Westernization associated with
Tirana,
modernization in housing patterns in Tirana is similar to the cases of Istanbul Albania
(Hacıhasano glu and Hacıhasano glu, 1997) or Cairo (Salama, 2006). In all the three
typologies, the exterior distinctiveness aspect plays a distinguishment role, and it emerges
into two architectural styles: rationalist and “Novecento.” While the “Novecento” style is seen 275
in a detached house, the rationalist style is defined in both apartment and detached
typologies. Their exterior of rationalist style featured terracotta bricks and elegant white
marble frames for the fenestration. In contrast, classical decorations and details achieve
distinctiveness in the “Novecento” style (Table 1).
During the socialist period, there were developed apartment and mass housing forms.
Although the socialist propaganda heralded equality and collectivism, the socioeconomic
parameters have played an essential role in establishing specific typologies in Tirana. Such
an approach is similar to other socialist cities such as Warsaw or East Berlin, where a
difference in housing quality during the socialist period is reported (Zaniwezski, 1989). In
Tirana, the difference is more evident in the high-quality apartment blocks dedicated to high
cadres of the regime and panel mass housing typology, which was allocated for the
working class.
The apartments are defined as high-quality and low-quality. Their definitional approach
refers to spatial features and exterior distinctiveness. For the high-quality apartments, their
spatial features reflect not only more spaciousness but also more comfort. The quality is also
reflected in the exterior, treated with marble and terracotta-like material, providing an easy
visual distinctiveness. A similar logic is also followed for the low-quality apartments. There
are used typical plans from the spatial point of view, as the core gives access to four

O oman Period Establishment Period Post-socialist Period

Italian Detached
Köşk Hearth Italian Ra onalist Gated Community Informal
Novecento House
-two floors -two floors -two floors -two floors -two floors -three floors -two/three
-central core -central core -central core -central core -central core -central core floors
-clustered -individual -linear -clustered -central -separated -independent
Spa al

organizaƟon cores organizaƟon organizaƟon organizaƟon kitchen core

-men spaces -shops on the -shops on the -soggiorno -separated -soggiorno
-women ground floor ground floor dinning
spaces -pool
Func onal

Architectural Architectural Architectural Architectural Tectonic

Distinctivenes

Style Style Style Style Quality

-OƩoman style -OƩoman - Neoclassical -Purist facade - simple - Neo-classical/ - simple
-whitewashed style decoraƟons -terracoƩa -plastered /Modern -plastered
exterior -whitewashed --arched bricks -varying -terraces -unfinished
-wooden exterior framed -rectangular- -white framed -varying
closed -wooden fenestraƟons shaped fenestraƟons -non-uniform Table 1.
Exterior

canƟlevered closed -Pediments fenestraƟons -terracoƩa -spontaneous Detached house

balcony canƟlevered -pilasters
balcony
typologies’ features in
different political
periods
OHI apartments, which are 1 þ 1 with minimum requirements. Their exterior appears poor and
47,2 nonplastered, providing an easily recognizable distinctiveness (Table 2).
Different plan schemes featured the mass housings. In this case, their specific exterior
distinctiveness plays a dominant role in defining them as typologies. For instance, the Soviet
Neoclassicist typology’s exterior is dominated by neoclassical elements. This typology
shares similarities with other socialist cities such as Gda nsk, Moscow, East Berlin and
Warsaw, which adopted Stalinist architecture as a political influence (Lesnikowski, 1995).
276 The same logic is used for the panel mass housing typology as their exterior is very dominant.
Since this typology is used for the working class, it is based on two standard plan schemes,
which in urban scale are organized in different patterns. In silica-brick typology, its exterior is
also an apparent element for the typological defining process.
The development of informal housing in the postsocialist period generates another
component for the definitional framework: the legality status. Being associated with the
developing countries’ context, this component drives the typologies’ definition into formal
and informal. The legality status is an issue peculiar for developing countries. It is directly
related to socioeconomic aspects, which cause migration. Dissimilar from Istanbul (G€ ur and
Y€uksel, 2019), where the informal housings’ typologies (slums, squatter houses, apartments)
and more similar to Egyptian cities’ typologies (Soliman, 2002) (squatting, hybrid,
semiinformal), Tirana manifests detached houses and apartments with informal/formal
additions. The socioeconomic aspects have been decisive in the development of informal
housing, not only in their construction process with manhandling but also the need for more
space in informal additions. The main distinguishing feature of the informal detached house
appears to be its exterior, which shows variety from unfinished structures with bared
skeleton to good-quality exterior material such as terracotta. Whereas apartments with

Establishment
Socialist Period Post-socialist Period
Period
Italian Ra onalist Low-Quality High-Quality High-rise Gated Community Informal
-higher than normal -five-story -more than 5 -central core -central core -one/two/three
apartment apartments floors -unified kitchen -separated floors
-central core with -central core -central core and living in kitchen -closed
Spa al

wide corridors -linear -shops on the majority -2+1/3+1 balconies

-2+1 organizaƟon ground floor -1+1/2+1/3+1 -entertainment -central core
-1+1 -2+1/3+1 on ground
floor
Func onal

Architectural Style Tectonic Quality Tectonic Tectonic Tectonic

Distinctiveness

-red terracoƩa Quality -Simple Quality Quality

–framed - non-plastered -local -plastered -perimetral -cacophonic
fenestraƟon -poor appearance terracoƩa and -colorfully terraces unproporƟoned
-monumental marble painted -white framed composiƟon
exterior door -rectangular- -free forms fenestraƟons -varying
Table 2. -communal garden shaped -terracoƩa -plastered/
Exterior

Apartment housing fenestraƟons -qualitaƟve /non-plastered

-freer forms materials -non-uniform
typologies’ features in
different political
periods
informal/formal additions, their most definitional elements are the irregular and cacophonic Housing
façades. Later, the additions in some cases are legalized; thus, informal has become formal. typologies in
The formal housing in the postsocialist period evolved into detached houses, apartments
and mass housing. The formal detached house is observed in two postsocialist contexts:
Tirana,
central zones and gated communities in the city’s peripheries. Similarly, the socioeconomic Albania
parameters of the new capitalist reality have played a crucial role in the development of
postsocialist period formal housing typologies. Primarily, the commoditization of space has
led to high-rise dwellings in apartment blocks and mass housing and the design of detached 277
houses such as small apartments. Furthermore, the socioeconomic parameters have impacted
the construction of gated communities. Likewise, in other east European cities in Tirana, also
they developed as a search for “social distinction, privacy and the provision of services”
(Gadecki and Smigiel, 2009).
The detached house built in the city’s central zones is defined by spatial features. They are
conceptualized on the logic of a small apartment up to four floors. The core is designed
independently, making possible the allocation of upper floors for the family’s children, which
form a new family or be given easily for rent. Its external appearance is seen in different
architectural styles (modern/postmodern) or tectonic qualities. It cannot be counted as a
definitional element.
The detached house of gated communities is featured by luxury spaces, providing
additional amenities such as a garage, pool and garden. Their exterior appearance is finely
curated in neoclassical or modern styles. The most distinguishable element of this typology
embraces both spatial and exterior features identified with the gated communities.
The apartment typologies in the postsocialist period are divided into high-rise apartments
built at the expense of public spaces or greeneries and apartments designed as part of gated
communities. While the exterior appearance of those built before 2000 is poorly featured by
plaster and dye, those built after this year are more qualitative. Due to the varying exterior
cannot be said to play an identifying role, except the high-rise feature is the common element
that provides distinctiveness.
The elements that play a definitional role for the gated community apartment typologies
embrace qualitative spatial and exterior distinctiveness (Table 3). It includes commonly used
amenities such as pools, green spaces, gyms and playgrounds. The exterior of apartment
typologies is designed with a sensitive aesthetical quality using materials such as terracotta.
The postsocialist period’s mass housing typology is articulated into two forms: residential
complexes and social housing. Since their spatial features and their exterior appearance vary,
we cannot talk about any distinctiveness. Thus, their most distinguishment providing feature
remains their housing form.
At the end of this division, we can say that the hierarchical framework helps to define the
housing typologies in a heterogeneous urban context. In such a context, when compared to
other scholars (Gulgonen and Laisney, 1982; Petruccioli, 1998; Remali et al., 2016;
Salama, 2006), who priorly used components such as form, space, function, in this research
are added the political and legality status components, which work as two significant
grounds. In both these components, the impact of socioeconomic and cultural parameters
plays a crucial role in shaping the features of housing typologies.
This research adds that the exterior distinctiveness can provide the needed
distinguishment to form the typology, expressed through architectural style or tectonic
quality. While novel, the exterior distinctiveness elements share certain similarities with
Corsini (1997) and Dufaux (2000), who used building façades to define typologies and with
Argan’s (1963) third levels’ first division “skin.”
OHI
Socialist Period Post-socialist Period
47,2
Soviet Neo-Classicist Panel Silica-brick Residen al Social Housing
Complexes
-higher than ordinary apartment -five-story 2 central cores -central core -U-shape blocks
-central core with wide corridors apartments -2+1/3+1 -separated kitchen -pocket gardens
Spa al

-three-storied with 5 apartments -central core -soggiorno -five cores

-2+1 -linear - 2+1/3+1 -studio/1+1/2+1/3+1/
278 organizaƟon
Func onal
Distinctiveness

Architectural Style Tectonic Tectonic Quality

-Neo-classicist Quality -Silica white -freer forms -mulƟcolor approach
-Bold Appearance -Concrete bricks curvilinear/circular -joyful façades
-Arches Panel Walls -Framed shapes -simple
-Pilasters with capitals -Grey Windows -higher quality -plastered
Table 3. -Modular -PrismaƟc materials
Exterior

Mass housing Elements RaƟonal -long façades

Volumes
typologies’ features in
different political
periods

6. Conclusion
The study proposes a hierarchical definitional framework for housing typologies in
heterogeneous urban contexts, departing from the case of postsocialist Tirana. This
approach exhibits similarities with other research using the political period, form, spatial and
functional components as elements that identify typology. It also brings forward the legality
status and exterior distinctiveness as novel elements, which are essential for distinguishing
in such a context.
The operationalization of such an approach is based on a hierarchical articulation of the
distinguishment providing elements, which alongside the political period and legality status
still uses housing form as the most determinant component. When specific spatial or exterior
distinctiveness features emerge, they are used as elements to form the housing typology. The
study finds that the socioeconomic and cultural parameters within the political periods have a
significant role in forming housing typologies in Tirana.
Based on this theoretical operationalization, two detached housing typologies are revealed
in the Ottoman period Tirana: 1. with hearth and 2. with k€oşk (pavilion). In the establishment
period, the influence of Italian architectural styles and the emergence of apartment housing
was observed. Two detached housing typologies are defined: rationalist and Italian
Novecento-style house and the Rationalist apartment typology.
In the socialist period, the construction of mass housing typology is observed, reflecting
the period’s political agenda and new technologies. Based on that, we define Soviet
neoclassicist, Panel and Silica-brick mass housing typologies, high-quality apartments for the
elite class of the system and low-quality apartment typology built by voluntary work. The
external distinctiveness appears an essential component in defining this period’s typologies.
The socioeconomic-political developmental context in the postsocialist period caused
informal housing, the densification of inner city with high-rise buildings and the evolution of
gated communities in the southern peripheral zones of the city. In this period, informal Housing
housing evolved in detached houses and apartments with informal/formal addition typologies in
typologies. As for formal housing, are defined the postsocialist detached house, the high-
rise apartment and the residential complex mass housing and social mass housing typologies.
Tirana,
The gated communities are defined in detached house and apartment typologies featured by Albania
qualitative spaciousness and carefully curated exterior.
Tirana is ongoing a rapid frenetic process of housing development. In this turbulent
developmental context, all housing typologies face different challenges. Especially the 279
detached and historical housing typologies are under enormous construction pressure. Apart
from the challenges that can be subject of separate studies for each typology, further research
can investigate informal housing, which has a significant expansion in the city’s suburban
areas, and expose various features.

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Corresponding author
Edmond Manahasa can be contacted at: emanahasa@epoka.edu.al

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