Located 1.4 kilometers southwest of Dhermi village, the Niko Coastal Retreat occupies a central plot on a sloping terrain facing the sea, adjacent to the newly constructed coastal highway. Inspired by our Lago Maggiore Retreat project, the client enlisted our team to craft an immersive destination that blends Albanian hospitality and coastal living while also ensuring a cohesive environment that balances community engagement with exclusivity and privacy. 

To maximize social spaces, the architectural concept places all built areas along the perimeter of the site, freeing the central spine for cascading communal green areas, each imbued with distinctive character, beginning at the entrance of the property and culminating in a pool bar and deck overlooking the sea. Beyond serving to unify the retreat, the green spine serves to enhance the functionality, ambiance, and sensory experience of each space.

With a design approach that references the local vernacular and integrates traditional construction methods into a contemporary context, building envelopes and facades harmonize natural stone, plaster, and wood, creating an environment that seamlessly blends with its surroundings. Leveraging the site's topography, residential apartment buildings are situated further up the slope for optimal sea views, while lower plots accommodate single and two-story villas.

Featuring amenities such as a grocery store, cafe, bakery, and seating areas, the market plaza serves as a hub for social interaction and daily activities and is strategically landscaped with a variety of plants that provide shade and create a sense of enclosure. As visitors progress through the lush gardens, the landscape design becomes more intimate and contemplative, providing sensory experiences through scent, texture, and color, enhancing the enjoyment of leisurely strolls and quiet moments.

Opening up to the pool deck and restaurant overlooking the sea, the landscape transitions to include resilient coastal plants that thrive in the salty air and sun exposure. These plants not only stabilize the soil but also frame the curated panorama, creating a seamless transition between the built environment and the natural coastal setting.