Kreshnik Merxhani is a freelance architect involved in cultural heritage
conservation, and is renown for his writings, artistic photos and restoration
projects. Since 2008, he has co-authored several restoration and re-implementation projects for monuments from the Ottoman and Communist
period primarily in Gjirokaster, a UNESCO site. In 2008-09 he was part of the
technical team of the "Gjirokastra Conservation and Development Organization
(GCDO). Following this work, Mr. Merxhani became part of an "in situ"
restoration training held by the Swedish organization "Cultural Heritage without
Borders" (CHwB). In 2014 he became head of the technical sector at the Regional
Directory of National Culture, an office of the Ministry of Culture. While at
CHwB, he was the winner of the European prize "Europa Nostra" for the
Regional Restoration Camps. GCDO was also short listed for the Aga Khan Prize
in 2010, whch was followed with a publication for the restoration works of the
castle of Gjirokastra and Hammam. Mr. Merxhani's works as a co-author have
been part of the Biennale in Venice "Common Ground" exhibited at the Albanian
Pavilion. Mr. Merxhani uses photography to document cultural heritage in both
a scientific and artistic manner. These photos have been included in various
exhibitions in Albania and the Balkan region. Mr. Merxhani has been a guest
lecturer at universities including the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning
UT and Epoka University. He graduated with a degree in architecture from the
Polytechnic University of Tirana in 2007.