Butrint National Park Visitor Center

Design competition winner on a UNESCO World Heritage Site

CHwB Albania was part of a strong international team lead by the Japanese Kengo Kuma & Associates (KKAA) that has won a competition to design a new visitor center at Butrint National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Albania’s Ionian coastline.

The team joined forces with, to envision and ultimately build the 4,927 sqm proposal. Through an analysis of the site, the architects proposed the creation of two centers: one that would act as a “mountain gate” connecting visitors with the most natural part of the site, and a second “archeological site gate” that connects the mooring on the Butrint Lake to the one on the Vivari Channel. This second location will alsobe developed to include a public space, a plaza where the local community can engage with the visitors, as well as a contemplation space where anyone can witness the change of light and views of the surrounding visitors. The project envisions a series of winding paths that will guide the visitors to discover all the ‘ruins’ existing within the UNESCO site. New mountain trails are also proposed, connecting the existing routes while encouraging new discoveries.

The project is set to complete in 2025 and is strategically positioned to enhance accessibility and create new circular economies within the community.