The Veil in Dhërmi: Architecture That Yields to the Landscape

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Summary

  • Bofill Taller de Arquitectura’s The Veil in Dhërmi integrates 366 apartments and 77 villas into Albania’s coastal forests
  • Locally sourced stone, ceramic facades and preserved vegetation minimize environmental impact
  • Communal spaces curve around ancient trees, emphasizing harmony with nature

Okay, so I was checking out this new resort design in Albania called The Veil, and it’s seriously cool. It’s being built right into the mountains overlooking the coast, surrounded by thick forests. What’s neat is the architects, Bofill Taller de Arquitectura, are trying to build with the land, not on it. They’re basically designing it like a light, almost invisible layer over the existing landscape, so they aren’t doing a ton of digging and messing up the forest. They’re building around the natural hills and using existing flat spots, which means the woods will stay pretty much as they are. It’s a really thoughtful approach to building in a beautiful, natural area.

The resort is built on two connected areas and offers a variety of accommodations, including 366 apartments and 77 villas, each with sixteen different designs. A network of walkways and stairs, made from local stone, winds through the property, following the natural contours of the hillside. The designers carefully chose four paving stone colors that blend with the surrounding landscape. The buildings share a consistent look with concrete and glazed ceramic tile exteriors, which play with light and shadow to complement the environment.

The resort’s main building is a central hub with a social club, restaurant, gym, and several pools. It’s designed around a curved courtyard that highlights and preserves a group of old trees, making the natural landscape a key feature. The buildings are arranged to rise among the trees, offering wide views of the Adriatic Sea, and emphasize both horizontal space and vertical height. Large windows, terraces, and balconies create a seamless connection between the indoor spaces and the beautiful, rocky Albanian coastline.

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2026-05-07 13:26