# Terraced Tirana Housing Zaha Hadid Architects Plans the Nest Residential and Hotel Developments By Amy Duong | Published 2026-06-10 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-nest-3 References: [zaha-hadid](http://zaha-hadid.com/)  [Zaha Hadid Architects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trojena) has revealed plans for The Nest and The Cascades, two residential-led developments in Tirana’s Kodra e Dielli district. Designed to address growing demand for apartment living in an area traditionally defined by villas and townhouses, the projects will introduce a mix of housing, hospitality, and public amenities. The Nest comprises four apartment buildings containing one- to three-bedroom residences, while The Cascades expands the existing Arka Art Hotel with a new hotel wing and residential accommodation. Both developments are shaped by deep terraces, cantilevered balconies, and recessed openings designed to respond to Tirana’s climate. The Nest will feature clay-based cladding in tones inspired by the surrounding landscape, including terracotta and deep red finishes referencing the area's iron-rich soil. The Cascades will incorporate [cascading garden terraces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/go-park-sai-sha), landscaped courtyards, and a 60-metre extension to the hotel’s swimming pool. Sustainability measures across the project include rooftop solar arrays, rainwater harvesting systems, green roofs, permeable paving, and native planting. Image Credit: Engram ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.0/10 - Popularity: 21% | Activity: 21% | Freshness: 78% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Terraced Urban Living:** Climate-responsive terraces and cantilevered balconies signal opportunities for dense residential projects that combine apartment demand with outdoor comfort and distinctive architectural identity. - **Hospitality-residential Hybrids:** Mixed-use developments pairing hotel expansions with residential accommodation create new models for shared amenities, extended-stay revenue, and neighborhood-scale destination building. - **Landscape-integrated Sustainability:** Green roofs, native planting, rainwater harvesting, and permeable paving reflect a shift toward developments where ecological infrastructure becomes a visible part of the real estate value proposition. ### Who This Affects Most - **Residential Real Estate:** Apartment-led projects in traditionally low-density districts reveal potential for premium multifamily formats tailored to changing urban lifestyles and land-use pressures. - **Architecture and Design:** Expressive forms using recessed openings, clay-based cladding, and cascading gardens point to differentiated design services rooted in local climate, materiality, and cultural context. - **Hospitality Development:** Hotel properties enhanced with residential components, expanded pools, and landscaped public amenities indicate emerging pathways for resorts and urban hotels to diversify guest experiences and asset performance. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Aluminum Record Players](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-pp1.md) - [Minimal Suede Sandals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/birkenstock-x-journal-standard.md) - [Trail Running Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vectiv-breeze-2.md) - [Streamlined Running Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/abzorb-2000-1.md) - [Sketch Effect Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/instapump-fury-94-eren.md) - [Forest Lantern Cabins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casa-63.md) - [Roof Tile Organizers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/teja.md) - [Elegant Eco-Friendly Alcohol Bottles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/luxardo-limoncello.md) - [Twenty-Legged Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/argus.md)