"Albanian carpet", in the new square in Shiroka inspired by the cultural identity of the Shkodra area, has won the "Winner 2021" award from the Loop Design Awards. 

The news was also announced by Prime Minister Edi Rama, who through a post on social networks, said that this award was given among 650 projects from 50 countries around the world. 

"GOOD MORNING and with the reborn Shiroka which has just won an award from the Loop Design Awards, for the unique image, public space and natural landscape among 650 projects from 50 countries around the world, I wish you a good Sunday" writes Rama. 

The mission of the LOOP Design Awards will become one of the most prestigious and well-known awards of Architecture and Interior Design. LOOP is an open platform for creativity and talent. 

Writing by LOOP Design Awards: 

Shiroka is a fishing village located on the shores of Lake Shkodra, near the border with Montenegro. Its inhabitants lived for centuries by the lake, men fishing in small rowboats and women caring for orchards and weaving carpets by hand. The reaction to the end of a communist regime that had deprived citizens of life of traditional "private" activities was widespread distrust of the public sphere, which led to a period characterized by uncontrolled occupation and privatization of public space. As a result, the public space of the waterfront of Lake Shkodra was occupied by illegal constructions such as private houses, restaurants, private parking areas and kiosks. "Albanian Carpet" returns the coast to citizens who demolish illegal constructions, open views over the lake and create a living public space of a domestic character. 

The “Albanian Carpet” project not only aims to physically and functionally restore the waterfront of Shiroka, but also to rebuild the sense of belonging and connection to the public space, which is conceived as a large house made of various open rooms of inspired by the traditional Albanian room (ODA), characterized by a long, low U-shaped bench, where family members sit, lie down and even sleep. These rooms open up views of the lake and stimulate citizen interaction with various uses such as a games room, picnic room, lounge room, amphitheatre and fisherman's room. The interior of the U-shaped rooms is enclosed and made of wood, while the exterior is made of stone and forms seating steps that transform the central square into an improvised theatre. 

The sidewalk, seats and stairs are covered with black and white granite stones according to the traditional model of Albanian carpets, which provides a unique and local identity for the public space. Large existing trees are preserved and integrated into the design of the square. New small trees are planted in open rooms to bring shade to the seating and play areas. The center of the square has been kept without trees and urban elements to allow public events. The coast of Shiroka is transformed into a pedestrian-oriented square, minimizing traffic and the presence of cars. The whole central axis of the whole village has been turned into a sidewalk area. A new car park for visitors at the entrance of the village encourages visiting the village on foot.