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20.5 - 9.6 2013
AT MEGARON ATHENS
THEIR FIRST
BUILDINGS
Saratsis Emmanouil, Bisti Mariana
meta: Redesigning Klafthmonos Square
2012
Undergraduate
National Technical University of Athens: School of Architecture, Athens, Greece
Professor(s): Kourkoulas Andreas, Vozani Ariadni
In this context, we choose to deal with the historic center of Athens, focusing on Klafthmonos Square, a non-indigestible area with occasional function, cut-off from the urban environment and unregistered to the collective memory of the city’s inhabitants. The square is located at the point where three different historical layers of the city overlap: the topological layer (upon which the Ancient Wall is traced), the organically developed layer of the old city, (with reference to the St. Theodore Church) and the layer of the neoclassical city (with reference to the buildings of the Trilogy).
The design’s central idea is the neoclassical layer’s detachment from the topology, a gesture which highlights and attributes vital space to the city’s historical levels. Two squares are formed in two different levels with clearly distinct geometrical characteristics and unconventional materials; wood and soil. The proposal also includes integration with Korai street, which is redesigned to restore the continuity of the athenian public space.
Our intention is to create an action platform, a space that can potentially accommodate diverse activities. In order to achieve flexibility, mobile elements with mechanical properties are installed, introducing variability to the square. Furthermore, the inclusion of a Music Conservatory serves flexibility, since music is open to everyone, allows ad-hoc meetings, spontaneity and releases the public space from shop operating hours.
Through our intervention we envision an open public space functioning all-day, with uninterrupted flows and continuous visibility, a counterpoint to the current conditions of the square and its surrounding area.
CV
Manos Saratsis was born in Athens, Greece, in November 1988. He graduated from the Athens College High School with the highest GPA in 2006, and ranked first among 5200 architecture school candidates in the Nationwide University Examinations. During the course of his studies in the NTUA School of Architecture he was honored with scholarships and awards for his excellent academic performance. In July 2012 he presented his thesis project titled ‘Redesigning Klafthmonos Square’. He currently lives and works as an architect in New York, preparing the continuation of his studies in the United States.
Mariana Bisti was born in Athens, in 1981. She studied Building's Renovation and Restoration in the TEI of Patras and continued her studies in the NTUA School of Architecture, where she ranked first in the Admission Exams of 2008. After completing her studies at NTUA, in July 2012, she decided to combine professionally her architectural knowledge with her passion of photography, She lives in Athens and works at NC-MP Architects, while seeking ways to expand the vocabulary of Architectural Photography.
Mariana Bisti was born in Athens, in 1981. She studied Building's Renovation and Restoration in the TEI of Patras and continued her studies in the NTUA School of Architecture, where she ranked first in the Admission Exams of 2008. After completing her studies at NTUA, in July 2012, she decided to combine professionally her architectural knowledge with her passion of photography, She lives in Athens and works at NC-MP Architects, while seeking ways to expand the vocabulary of Architectural Photography.