Endrit Marku

Architect, Visual Artist and Lecturer

ENDRIT MARKU

Departament
Architecture and Engineering
Contact:
endrit_marku@universitetipolis.edu.al

DESIGN

His design and management activity has covered different scales from planning to urban design to architecture projects. Mos of them were developed within studio metropolis from 2008 to 2020. During these years he had the role of architect, team leader, project manager and director (2015-2020). Endrit directed the process of the Vora General Local Plan, Belsh GLP, Gramsh GLP. And was a consultant in many others planning processes as the GLP of Shkodër, Xhavzotaj, Elbasan, Fier, Berat and Lushnje. Endrit was in charge in several large projects, from the preparation of the Tender Documents, methodologies, public relations, writing, content responsible, team management and Designer for important public institutions like the Albanian Development Found, World Bank, UNDP, The Albanian Housing Institute; and various municipalities and private clients. Among them an important contract part of the program that publicly became known the Urban Renaissance, probably the most important building program of the Albanian government in the last decades. He has been the responsible for managing a PIUTD, Project for Integrated Urban and Tourism Development, with the ADF and the World Bank. He was the local studio responsible for supporting XDGA studio with the preparation of the masterplan, analysis and strategy supporting the Vlora Waterfront Project.

TEACHING & RESEARCH

Until 2022, Endrit was the Head of the Department of Architecture and Engineering Department of POLIS University. As a lecturer and researcher Endrit is interested in topics related to the spatial qualities of Architecture and its semiotics. His methodology is being applied in Polis University first year Studio since 2010-2011. He has been the head of this studio since then. He leads the 3rd year Architecture Studio and collaborates in the Diploma theses. Endrit’s Phd study was focused in the topics of space and authority having as a case study Tirana in different historical periods. This discussion has been extended further into the topic of visual language in his recently published book “Pas Shpatullave të Udhëheqësit” (Behind the Leader’s Shoulders), where he analyzes the official speeches of different world leaders announcing the Covid19 pandemic, in terms of the semiotics of the space and background chosen by them.

VISUAL ARTS

Endrit drawing are rooted in his research and design process. He uses drawings, inspired by his architect’s background, to develop his projects but also to research phenomena related to the city.

AWARDS

During his carrier Endrit has been part of several projects that have been acknowledged with different achievements. Winner of the International competition for Vlore’s Waterfront. Best Local Studio (as part of the core team and then project manager of the implementation project); Winner of the Innovation Prices in the international Competition for the Boulevard of Tirana in collaboration with KCAP (as consultant); Winner of the Local Competition for the Energy Efficient Social housing in Korçë (as the Lead Architect).

Endrit has been nominated 4 (four times) by Mies van Der Rohe Award and three times for the Big SEE Award: Square in Pustec; Livestock Market; Apartment in Tirana. He is the Winner of the International Architectonic Drawing Competition One Drawing Challenge, 2021 organized by the Architizer Platform.