The Walls Garden | Kallikratis Evlogimenos

Competition Entry - Redevelopment of a desolate public space in Thessaloniki, Greece Thessaloniki / Greece / 2013

1
1 Love 1,580 Visits Published
The project is located at the junction of Akrita and Strimonos streets, in the “Upper Town” neighborhood of Thessaloniki, Greece. The small plot is used primarily as a parking space presenting significant problems in pedestrian movement. The rest of the plot, adjoining the Byzantine wall, is an abandoned-desolate green space that is difficult to be used by visitors or nearby residents. The quality of this urban space as it is today diminishes the historical significance of the place, the quality of living, as well as the aesthetics of the area. The purpose of the proposal is the improvement of the aesthetics and function of the public space, as well as, the strengthen of the local identity of the place and the regeneration of an area that remains inactive and inhospitable to public life The intention is to design of a highly recognizable space in the urban fabric. A landmark, the qualities of the spaces of which refer to the lost quality of the urban spaces of the city before the bulldozing urbanization that took place in the 20th century. The main intervention on the site refers to a sculptural form that converses with the ancient ruins, creating a small, enclosed garden. The aim is not to hide the byzantine wall but on the contrary minimize the optical nuisance created by the buildings of the surrounding area. Within the enclosure a fluid mass follows the slope of the ground, from the collapsed building to the east of the site towards the street on the west, creating a small theatre which, at the lower level rises framing the stage. The whole structure gives deliberately the impression that it touches gently the sloping ground, on the verge of hovering. A second curvy mass defines the upper frieze that follows the slope of the wall and leads to a small balcony with views to the west.
1 users love this project
Comments
    comment
    user
    Enlarge image

    The project is located at the junction of Akrita and Strimonos streets, in the “Upper Town” neighborhood of Thessaloniki, Greece. The small plot is used primarily as a parking space presenting significant problems in pedestrian movement. The rest of the plot, adjoining the Byzantine wall, is an abandoned-desolate green space that is difficult to be used by visitors or nearby residents. The quality of this urban space as it is today diminishes the historical significance of the place, the...

    Project details
    • Year 2013
    • Main structure Reinforced concrete
    • Status Competition works
    • Type Parks, Public Gardens
    Archilovers On Instagram
    Lovers 1 users