The 41 projects of GREAT 2013 exhibition "THEIR FIRST BUILDINGS"

20.5 - 9.6 2013
AT MEGARON ATHENS

THEIR FIRST
BUILDINGS

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Vlavianos Nikolaos, Basoukos Chrysovaladis

New Monastery in Zaltsa, Viotia

2011

Undergraduate

National Technical University of Athens - School of Architecture, Athens, Greece

Professor(s): Tsiraki Sofia, Tsouras Vasilios

This diploma project dealing with the designing of a new monastery is an innovative study which readdresses questions concerning the function and the purpose of monastic architecture associated with the monastic life. Zaltsa, a remote area in Viotia, Greece is the location which historically is known for its famous monks and ascetics.

The purity of the landscape raises questions concerning the final decision of whether the architect to design or not in this environment. Prompt response comes from the traditional monastic architecture, when monasteries were constructed in the frailest environments with perfection.

Site: In the south, there is a grove of olive trees which extends all the way down to the sea. In the north, the area is defined by a linear rocky hill behind of which, and alongside stands Mount Helicon (1800m), dictating and reinforcing the main design, an expression of a linear openly developed monastery. It is an alternative concept to the common enclosed type, as a conscious and symbolic interpretation of how a contemporary monastery should be open to modern society.

Scenario – Concept: The linear development of the monastery is implemented through the straight and slightly downhill movement from the eastern borders of the site, to the point where the core of the synthesis was located, namely the Catholikon (the central church of the monastery). The monastery turns and opens itself to the rock, giving the monks the symbolic view of the rock that reflects the ascetic rigor of monastic life. On the contrary, the other lateral sides the monastery’s walls take a defensive character, with small openings, not only as a historical reference to the necessity of protection and defense against invaders, but also as a conscious expression of spiritual introspection of monastic life that should not be distracted by the beauty of the natural environment.

CV

Nikolaos Vlavianos, was born in Alexandroupolis, Greece in 1987. He graduated from the National Technical University of Athens with a grade point average of 9.30/10 "Summa Cum Laude", earning a master's degree in Architecture Engineering in 2011. His diploma project was entitled "New Monastery in Zaltsa Viotia". Upon graduation, he was honored to present his work to that very community. He participated in various competitions in architecture and urbanism. On the Mount Athos peninsula, he worked on the conservation and restoration of Simonos Petra Μonastery's core. During his internship, he also worked in the architectural Office "Stavros Mamaloukos - Anastasia Kamboli & Co" as an assistant architect. Since then, he has held a position in the "EA2K studio" as a design team member. Currently, he works as a freelance architect, involving himself in housing projects and architectural competitions. He has been a registered member of the Technical Chamber of Greece since June 2011. He completed his compulsory military service, serving the Hellenic Army Aviation team until April 2013. More recently, he is looking forward to beginning the Master of Science program in Advanced Architectural Design at Columbia University in New York, which commences in June 2013.

Basoukos Chrysovaladis

Born in Chalcis in 1987. He graduated from the School of Architecture, National Technical University of Athens, in February 2011 with a degree 8.93 /10. He is interested to deepen his studies in design on a post graduate-level.
His thesis entitled "New monastery in Zaltsa Boeotia" (February 2011) with coordinating professor Sophia Tsirakis received a degree of 9.9 /10 and it was published in the online edition of the Greek newspaper "Ta Nea", as well as the website "greekarchitects".
He worked in the office of Professor Stavros Mamaloukos participating in surveying historic buildings and Byzantine monuments in Crete, Athens and Preveza. He had the opportunity, during his student years, to participate in architectural competitions and design contests. His team won the third prize in the national competition for the logo of the Environmental Center "Antonis Tritsis" of Saint Anargiri, Athens.
In 2011 he completed his military service. Since 2012 lives in Athens, is a member of the Technical Chamber of Greece and works as a freelance architect and constant collaborator in an architectural office at the city center.
At the same time, he is occupied in literature. He has published three poetry collections. The collection titled "Pnoes" won praise in a Panhellenic literary contest of the Philological Association "Parnassus".