Designing to solve housing problems during communist regime. Tradition, adventure and innovations

By, MSc. Arch. Enkeleida PRIFTI

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to define and evaluate architectural solutions from a typological point of view, about housing’ construction in Albania during that period which signs the end of Second World War and the beginning of 1990s. This study points out some housing problems inherited from the late XX-th century, as well as influences and experiments that this typology endured during communist dictatorship regime. It gives some data of the mechanism that was created to develop construction of dwelling buildings, starting with creation of builders’ schools, design institutes and up to the mechanism of implementation and distribution of houses. Summerises developments of that time in Europe and architectural styles that influenced designers and local builders. How architects and builders perceived housing and quality of construction during that time. What were the rates at which construction sector responded to housing needs, based on demographic developments that took place after the Second World War. In conclusion, this study draws a panorama about quality of life offered by these dwellings during communist dictatorship period, consequences that we inherit since then because of typological solutions and quality of buildings due to construction materials that have been used.

Key words: architecture, housing typology, socialism, communism, building.

How to cite: Prifti, E. (2023). Designing to solve housing problems during communist regime. tradition, adventure and Innovations. Ingenious, 3(1), 21–33.

https://doi.org/10.58944/pewj9665