The Concepts of the Socialist Realism in the Architectural Design Of the "ALBANIAN RTV" Building in Tirana

Abstract

The building Complex representing the Albanian Radio Television, composed in fourbuildings, is placed in one of the most central and important areas of the capital city. Thecomplex represents the field of media and communication.The building is constructed by groups of designers and constructors, who have faced problems based on political factors. It is in general well preserved, except some changes that were made to the initial project since the early implementation phase. One of the four buildings is the Radio, a four-storey building that was opened in December 1965. The initial design, dated in early '60, was made by a Russian architect, of course called to design it in theperiod of friendship between both countries. After the break relations with the former Soviet Union, as in general used to be, the design was changed. The Party-State supervised the continuation of works with Albanian team architects and engineers. It is an Extension of the Radio Building, which is designed in 1977 by Spartak Bagllamaja.During the Communism period, the architectural concept was that of realism socialist. In ourcountry the rules were very strong. For example was prohibited the concept of highbuildings, and despite the ideological justifications against skyscrapers, this was because ofthe fact that there were no lifts at all. The other building of the complex was the Television Building, constructed later than Radio and opened in 1969. It was designed by the Albanian designer; Semi Pashallari. It consists in 2 different blocs or parts. The Project design isappropriate based on technological solution, and also has a contemporary architectural concept.Although each building of the complex is constructed in different periods of time, the group of the designers and the constructors shared the same idea for the exterior of the buildings.