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Commonsense Studio
Angela Merkel School
Location:Kamza, Tirana
Typology:
Educational
Author|s:Commonsense Studio - Jurtin Hajro
Year of realisation:2025
Collaborators:Sindi Balla, Niki Cane, Premton Braha, Liljana Hasani (arkitektura / architecture) HT Construction, Hydro&Energy, Fishta Electric (inxhinieria / engineering) Fichtner GmbH, STRABAG Albania, Genci Xhillari (bashkëpunëtorët tjerë / other collaborators)
Commonsense Studio is an architecture and urban design practice based in Tirana, viewing architecture as a catalyst for social transformation and development. Through an approach grounded in research, analysis, and a deep understanding of context, the studio aims to create projects that go beyond functional requirements and generate long-term value for people, place, and community. Every intervention is regarded as an opportunity to establish new connections between space, identity, and human experience.
The philosophy of Commonsense Studio is founded on the belief that architecture is a civic act with social, cultural, and political impact. For this reason, its projects integrate the public dimension and measure success not only through the quality of construction but also through the positive change they bring to community life. This approach is further reflected in the studio’s ongoing commitment to voluntary initiatives for Albanian cities, contributing to the improvement of public spaces and the quality of the urban environment.
The “Angela Merkel” Primary School project emerged from the vision of creating an educational institution that goes beyond the traditional role of teaching and becomes an active part of urban life. Inspired by its location at a significant urban node, the project is organized around an internal courtyard that serves as the heart of the building, connecting functions, activities, and people through a shared spatial experience. Transparency, natural daylight, and the careful organization of spaces create an environment that educates not only through knowledge but also through the spatial experience itself.
The “Angela Merkel” School represents a contemporary model of public architecture in Albania, where efficiency, sustainability, and openness to the community are harmoniously integrated. The project embodies the core values of the studio’s practice: the dialogue between space and light, the integration of technology in the service of people, and the creation of identity through function. As a result, the school becomes an example of architecture that educates, inspires, and strengthens the connection between the individual and the community.
