Organized across four plots within the Kodra e Diellit neighbourhood, the Nest encompasses a diverse range of one- to three-bedroom apartments around a community park planted with local mediterranean flora to shelter residents during the summer months.

Defined by its location and environment, the Nest’s design has been informed by comprehensive analysis of the site and mapped to ascertain detailed fluctuations in topography, solar radiation, temperature, humidity, prevailing winds, air quality and rainfall throughout the year.

Applying these comprehensive datasets to complex digital models, ZHA has developed and refined the design to optimise views and enhance building performance. The façades have been calibrated to enable cross-ventilation throughout each apartment by capturing Tirana's prevailing easterly winds, maximizing comfort for residents. Recessed terraces and cantilevered balconies offer each apartment sheltered outdoor spaces.

Sustainability considerations have determined the Nest’s building orientation, façade design and landscape strategy—targeting Gold certification under LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C: Multifamily Homes.

The design responds directly to Tirana's humid subtropical mediterranean climate, with the architecture serving as a passive environmental system. Deep façade reveals, overhanging balconies, and recessed openings are computationally designed to intercept summer solar radiation while admitting low winter sun deep into the apartments—bringing high levels of natural light to 95.3% of occupied spaces within the development.

A full Life Cycle Assessment benchmarks the Nest at an embodied carbon intensity of 471 kgCO₂e/m² - substantially below the regional average of 566 kgCO₂e/m² - informing material choices including modular construction, recycled aggregates, and terracotta cladding in preference to higher-carbon curtain wall alternatives.

Each building within the Nest incorporates façades informed by its surrounding landscape— two buildings are finished in a fawn-coloured material palette, the third in terracotta, and the fourth in a deep red stucco echoing the iron-rich terrain of its adjacent hillside.

The central park’s landscaping connects the community and functions as climate infrastructure as well as social amenity. Designed with planted shading zones that remain up to 16°C cooler than exposed hardscape, the masterplan dedicates 55% of total site area to green space - exceeding LEED open space requirements by 83.3%. High-albedo surfaces, permeable paving, and native planting actively mitigate urban heat island effects identified through thermal mapping of the surrounding urban fabric.

Water throughout the development is managed as a closed loop, with rainwater harvested for irrigation, grey water treated on-site for non-potable reuse, and native planting reducing irrigation demand.

Roof-mounted solar arrays supply renewable electricity, while EV charging, bicycle storage, and local civic amenities support a walkable, low-carbon lifestyle for residents.