Graduate students Gyler Mydyti and Elian Stefa are attempting to turn the abandoned concrete bunkersâ€"of which there are more than 750,000â€"in Albania into economic structures including eco-hostels, cafés and gift shops.
The bunkers are the remains of Communist dictator Enver Hoxha and his policies of paranoid xenophobia. In additon to creating economic locations, eco-hostels, and decreasing the chance the bunkers will be turned into landfills, the project aims to reclaim the symbolism behind the structures. Find out more about the Concrete Mushrooms project by visiting the blog.
Dome Bunker Refurbs
The 'Concrete Mushrooms' Project Creates New Eco-Hostels
Trend Themes
1. Concrete Bunker Refurbishment - Opportunity for repurposing abandoned concrete bunkers into economic structures like eco-hostels and cafes.
2. Sustainable Hospitality - Trend towards eco-hostels that promote sustainability and environmental responsibility.
3. Symbolic Architecture Influence - Growing interest in reclaiming the symbolism behind structures and reinterpreting them for modern use.
Industry Implications
1. Hospitality - The hospitality industry can explore opportunities in eco-hostels and sustainable accommodation solutions.
2. Architecture and Design - Architectural firms and designers can leverage the trend of repurposing existing structures such as concrete bunkers.
3. Tourism - The tourism industry can incorporate the unique experience of staying in refurbished concrete bunkers as a tourist attraction.