Dutch architecture studio MVRDV has revealed its bold new vision for Tirana, Albania — an extraordinary spherical structure known as the Grand Ballroom. This futuristic building, measuring over 100 metres in diameter, blends a 6,000-seat sports arena, a contemporary hotel, residential apartments, public plazas, and rooftop terraces into one visually striking mixed-use development. Designed as a major civic landmark, the Grand Ballroom is expected to transform the urban fabric of the Albanian capital.
A Modern Mixed-Use Complex: Arena, Hotel, and Residential Spaces
The Grand Ballroom introduces an innovative stacked mixed-use layout, enabling multiple functions within a compact urban footprint. At ground level, visitors are welcomed by a generous public plaza featuring open steps, terraces, shops, walkways, and outdoor sports courts, encouraging year-round community engagement.
The heart of the sphere contains a sports arena capable of seating up to 6,000 spectators. Optimized for basketball, volleyball, concerts, and large-scale public events, the arena is designed to become a central gathering point for both residents and visitors.
Above the arena sit two full floors dedicated to a modern hotel. Select hotel rooms overlook the interior arena through a dramatic oculus, giving guests a unique visual connection to live events below.
Related to read:
Zaha Hadid’s Shenzhen Science & Technology Museum Unveils Futuristic Sustainable Design
Asaan Museum by Zaha Hadid Brings Sustainable Architecture to Saudi Arabia
Higher within the sphere are residential apartments, arranged around an inner, semi-outdoor courtyard. The top levels introduce duplex penthouses complete with private rooftop terraces, offering panoramic views over Tirana. A double-height skybar crowns the sphere, becoming a destination for nightlife, celebrations, and elevated dining.
Iconic Spherical Architecture Designed for Urban Impact
The Grand Ballroom’s spherical geometry is more than an aesthetic statement; it is a practical design choice. Since a sphere has no rear façade, the building appears equally inviting from all directions. This eliminates neglected sides and strengthens its presence along the major road linking Tirana’s city centre to its international airport.
The structure’s inward-sweeping base creates extra room for public plazas, promenades, and open-air sports spaces, enhancing the project’s civic value. The top curves inward as well, forming terraced residential balconies that blend seamlessly into the overall silhouette while preserving natural light and airflow.
Vision, Symbolism & Architectural Inspiration
MVRDV’s founding partner Winy Maas describes the Grand Ballroom as a “temple to sport and community.” Its spherical shape subtly references the universal nature of sports — from football to basketball — connecting the design to cultural identity and human movement.
Architectural inspirations include visionary works such as Étienne-Louis Boullée’s Cenotaph for Newton and Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic domes, both celebrated for their monumental forms and structural daring. The result is a building that celebrates geometry, unity, and civic life.
Sustainability and Social Integration
Sustainability plays a vital role in the Grand Ballroom’s concept. Its double-shell structure incorporates natural ventilation paths, daylight optimization, and an inner courtyard that functions as a green communal oasis for residents.
Public access areas — including terraces, sports courts, retail zones, and walkable rooftops — emphasize inclusivity and community integration. The building serves not only as a residence and event venue but also as a public gathering hub, contributing to Tirana’s evolution into a modern, dynamic city.
A New Urban Landmark for Tirana
Strategically positioned between the airport road and central Tirana, the Grand Ballroom is expected to become one of the city’s most recognizable architectural icons. As a multi-layered project that blends sports, hospitality, retail, and housing, it sets a new benchmark for sustainable mixed-use architecture in Europe.
The project won an international design competition and is being developed in collaboration with several regional partners. Once completed, the Grand Ballroom will stand as a symbol of Tirana’s rapid modernization and its increasing focus on community-centered urban design.
