zigzag resort extends linear terraces and infinity pools along albania’s rugged coastline

designed by JA joubert architecture in collaboration with UNS architects, the resort's terraced forms create a stepped rhythm across the existing topography.

Marc Joubert edited by sofia lekka angelopoulou May 23, 2025 3 min

ZigZag Resort by JA Joubert Architecture & UNS Architects

Located along the coastline of Himare, Albania, ZigZag Resort is designed by JA Joubert Architecture in collaboration with UNS Architects. The resort adopts a linear zigzag configuration that follows the existing topography, maintaining views across the site while minimizing alteration to the landscape. The formal strategy enables each unit to engage with its surroundings without obstructing others, preserving both visual and environmental continuity.

The design incorporates passive environmental strategies, including solar orientation and natural ventilation, to reduce energy demand. Rainwater is managed through integrated systems, supporting on-site ecological balance. Locally sourced Berat stone is used in the construction, selected for its durability and relevance to regional building traditions.

zigzag resort extends linear terraces and infinity pools along albania’s rugged coastline - 1 — all images courtesy of JA Joubert Architecture and UNS Architects

ZigZag Resort’s Architecture in Dialogue with Landscape

Circulation throughout the resort is organized to facilitate intuitive movement. Vertical transitions between terraces, gardens, and pools are addressed through integrated pathways and a funicular system. These connections are designed to provide access across levels while limiting impact on the terrain. Drop-off points and circulation routes are planned to separate guest pathways from service areas.

Interior spaces extend outward into gardens, decks, and terraces, maintaining a continuous spatial experience. Infinity pools blend with the coastline, and private coastal access deepens the resort’s connection with its surroundings. The architectural approach emphasizes a cohesive relationship between building and site, aligning structural and material decisions with the existing conditions of the coastal landscape. ‘Architecture should not dominate the land; it should respond to it,’ explains Marc Joubert, founder of JA Joubert Architecture.

zigzag resort extends linear terraces and infinity pools along albania’s rugged coastline - 2 — ZigZag Resort stretches along the Himare coastline, following the natural terrain

zigzag resort extends linear terraces and infinity pools along albania’s rugged coastline - 3 — the resort’s linear zigzag form preserves site topography and uninterrupted views

zigzag resort extends linear terraces and infinity pools along albania’s rugged coastline - 4 — architecture and landscape interlock without major disruption to the land

zigzag resort extends linear terraces and infinity pools along albania’s rugged coastline - 5 — each unit is oriented to maintain privacy and maximize coastal exposure

zigzag resort extends linear terraces and infinity pools along albania’s rugged coastline - 6 — infinity pools align with the sea, extending the horizon visually

zig-zag-resort-himare-albania-ja-joubert-architecture-uns-architects-designboom-1800-2 — terraced forms create a stepped rhythm across the site’s slope

zigzag resort extends linear terraces and infinity pools along albania’s rugged coastline - 7 — circulation pathways connect terraces, gardens, and guest spaces

zigzag resort extends linear terraces and infinity pools along albania’s rugged coastline - 8 — garden terraces extend directly from interior spaces

zigzag resort extends linear terraces and infinity pools along albania’s rugged coastline - 9 — outdoor decks and loggias are part of the continuous spatial layout

zig-zag-resort-himare-albania-ja-joubert-architecture-uns-architects-designboom-1800-3 — the architecture emphasizes environmental continuity and local adaptation

zigzag resort extends linear terraces and infinity pools along albania’s rugged coastline - 10 — JA Joubert Architecture aims for a design that responds to the land

zigzag resort extends linear terraces and infinity pools along albania’s rugged coastline - 11 — the resort’s terraced form merges with the coastal landscape

zigzag resort extends linear terraces and infinity pools along albania’s rugged coastline - 12 — an infinity pool carved into the hillside provides an uninterrupted view of the Albanian Riviera

project info:

name: ZIG ZAG

architects: JA Joubert Architecture | @ja_joubertarchitecture, UNS Architects | @unsarchitects
design team: Marc Joubert, Foti Prifti, Erjon Gjyli & Team, Images: Vero Universe
location: Himare, Albania

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