The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Albania has announced the international competition for the design, restoration and musealisation of the International Competition for the new "National Museum- Besa Museum".

This building, which held the status of a cultural heritage monument, will be the seat of the museum of a very important cultural precept of the Albanian people which takes the name of BESA.

The competition is a two-stage international concept design competition comprising an open Expression of Interest period followed by a design phase for a shortlist of five competitors.

The goal of this competition is to obtain contemporary and visionary concepts for interventions of an architectural and restorative character for the rehabilitation and adaptation of the existing building as well as revitalization interventions, which aim to add a new cultural space to the capital, harmonized and in strong relations with the environment and the surrounding historical area.

BESA, in Albania, is a cultural code that embodies the principles of hospitality, protection of guests and fulfilling promises. 

The museum should take the visitor by the hand and accompany him on a journey through the history of the people who lived according to BESA, because BESA is always there, among the Albanians. This is what the BESA Museum project should remind the young Albanian visitor and especially the foreigner who knows little about the BESA of the Albanian people.

"Besa" is not just a museum, it will serve as a meeting point, a dialogue center for cultural exchanges and beyond.

Interventions in this object will take place in three lines/categories:
1. Restoration Interventions
2. Revitalizing Interventions / New Functions
3. Musealization

The competition takes place in two phases:

Phase 1: Expression of interest

In Phase 1 of the application, the candidates will present their team composition, qualifications, work methodology, and their vision statement for the site, including a preliminary concept. Candidates shall submit requests for expression of interest and the documentation required by the competition Brief and the STDs.

At the end of the first stage, 5 finalists will be announced to proceed in the 2nd phase of the competition. 

Deadline for submission phase 1: 06 March 2023 (12:00)

Concept design proposal reward for short-listed teams

Five short-listed team will be rewarded the amount of €40,000, for the preparation of the documents of the second phase of the concept design proposal.

Phase 2: Concept Design

In Phase 2 of the application, the 5 finalists will present their proposal on the concept design about the Museum. 

Deadline for submission phase 2: 28 April 2023 (12:00)

The finalist of this competition will sign the contract for the preparation of the detailed design of the museum.

Competition Jury

The Competition Jury will have seven members, all experienced professionals in the relevant fields. The composition of the Competition Jury is structured to include local (3 members) and international design experts (4 members), members with artistic experience and local community members.

The members of the Competition Jury will be announced not later than one week before the date of the evaluation – as declared in the competition calendar. It will be announced on the website of the competition. A short biography of each juror will also be provided in the competition site.

The Jurors will be assisted and supported throughout the span of this competition by the Technical Secretariat, composed of members of the Organizing Authority, who are experts in the relevant fields of study.

To see eligibility criteria, details, drawings, visit the competition website.

Click here for competiton brief. 

Click here for Qualification Criteria. 

Click here for Tender Documents of the competition.

Click here to access base materials. 

Top image courtesy of Besa Museum Competition.

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