Malvina Istrefaj
2025-02-10 9:53Malvina Istrefaj
Dr.
MALVINA ISTREFAJ (KOLIÇI)
Departament
Scientific Research
Contact:
malvina_istrefaj@universitetipolis.edu.al
ACADEMIC PROFILE
Malvina is an architect, who graduated in 2012, from the Faculty of Architecture and Design of POLIS University, gaining the title of Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Design. After completing her studies, Malvina focused her research activities, on the professional Master’s program in Housing and Infrastructure Development. These studies, directed by POLIS University in collaboration with the IHS-Erasmus Institute in Rotterdam, developed her interest in the urban context and the architectural influence on the life of cities. Malvina’s main commitment, since 2013 consists of being a full-time academic staff at POLIS, where she completed her doctoral studies in the joint program between POLIS and Ferrara University in September 2021, with the research on “Typology and Design Communist Hotels in the Albanian Context”.
Among other professional experiences, one can mention the contribution to international projects, such as “GRADUA”, “IDEA”, “DRIVE” (2019-2022), “Homo Digitalis” (2023-2025) at POLIS, 6-month research project at the University of Molise (2018), workshops within the framework of the Doctorate Program, Tirana Architecture Week and Tirana Design Week Biennales at POLIS, etc. Malvina’s engagement at POLIS has also developed in other processes such as: Head of the Career Office and of the “Alumni” Association (2019-2023), Coordinator of the Executive Master in “Restoration, Conservation and Valorization of Cultural Heritage” (2023-2024).
She currently holds the position of the Head of the Department of Scientific Research at the Faculty of Research and Development, as well as the position of Program Supervisor at POLIS, for International Doctorate in “Architecture and Urban Planning”, a joint program with the University of Ferrara, Italy.
PUBLICATIONS
Istrefaj (Koliçi), et al. (2024). Settlements, public spaces and dwellings
Re-Inventing Phoeniciae (Finiq). New Intersections of Tradition, Innovation, Landscapes and Tourism.
Scientific journal of the Observatory of Mediterranean Basin, Volume 8, Issue 1 & 2 / 2024, pp. 261-271 ISBN Series 978-9928-4459-8-8, e-book ISBN / 978-9928-347-15-2 (Volume.9)
https://press.universitetipolis.edu.al/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/V2_2Settlements-public-spaces-and-dwellings-.pdf
Istrefaj (Koliçi), M; Kumaraku, Ll. (2023). Innovative housing models that reflect the needs of contemporary society. (Post-pandemic context)
Scientific journal of the Observatory of Mediterranean Basin, Volume 8, Issue 1 & 2 / 2023, pp. 178-191 ISBN Series 978-9928-4459-8-8, (print) 978-9928-3470-9-1 (e) 978-9928-347-10-7
https://press.universitetipolis.edu.al/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/v2_2_3.pdf
Kumaraku, Ll.; Istrefaj (Koliçi), M. (2023) Housing Solutions for the Post-Pandemic City: The case of Lezha (Albania)
Proceedings of DARCH 2023 April 4th International Conference on Architecture & Design, 17-18 April, 2023. ISBN: 978-605-72065-1-0
https://www.ocerints.org/darch23april_e-publication/papers/Llazar%20Kumaraku2.pdf
Istrefaj (Koliçi), M. (2021). The Typology and Design of Hotels During Communism. IDAUP PhD Publication.
https://issuu.com/polisuniversity/docs/kolici_istrefaj_malvina_the_typology_and_design_
Istrefaj (Koliçi), M. (2020). Evolution of the Hotel Typology in Albania. Investigating the possible use of precedents design principles in new typologies of hotels.
Tirana Architecture Week 2020: Science and the City in the era of Paradigm. ISBN 978-9928-347-05-3.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378157790_Evolution_of_the_hotel_Typology_in_Albania_Investigating_the_possible_use_of_precedents_design_principles_in_new_typologies_of_hotels
Istrefaj (Koliçi), M. (2019). Towards a greener Prishtina Green Infrastructure (GI) as a tool for generating Strategic Environmental Guidelines (pg. 204-2015).
Pristina New European Capital. Images of a city to be discovered OMB Series, Vol. 5, POLIS Press, Tirana. 978-9928-4459-8-8 (OMB series) / 978-9928-4563-0-4 (V. 5)
https://issuu.com/polisuniversity/docs/omb5_prishtina
Istrefaj (Koliçi), M. (2018). Relation between Architecture and Tourism. Understanding the Role of Architecture in Enhancing Tourism Development (pg. 757-764).
Tirana Architecture Weeks 2018. [CO]HABITATION TACTICS. Imagining future spaces in architecture, city, and landscape, ISBN 978-9928-4459-6-4.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Enrico-Porfido/publication/330354843_Cohabitation_tactics_Imagining_future_spaces_in_architecture_city_and_landscape_International_scientific_conference_Tirana_20th-23th_September_2018_Conference_proceedings/links/5c3bb7fb92851c22a373587f/Cohabitation-tactics-Imagining-future-spaces-in-architecture-city-and-landscape-International-scientific-conference-Tirana-20th-23th-September-2018-Conference-proceedings.pdf
Istrefaj (Koliçi), M. (2017). Hotel structures during the communist period (1945-1990) in. Albania. Analyzing the influence of local context in the process (pg. 173). 1-st International Forum on Architecture and Urbanism Cities in Transition Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism (FAU), ISBN 978-9928-4390-5-5. (Poster Participation)
https://universitetipolis.academia.edu/MalvinaIstrefajKoli%C3%A7i
