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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Gkoumas Evangelos

"Paths in History"- Archaeological Promenade and Research Center_Knossos, Heraklion, Crete

2012

Undergraduate

ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY, THESALONIKI, GREECE

Professor(s): Tellios Anastasios

Main intention: This project intents to attract visitors of the palace of Knossos, and encourage them to explore the entire area of Kairatos Valley, in which there are several ruins (from the Minoan era). The major goal is to allow them to learn, and at the same time to enjoy this unique landscape. It is about the creation of a "promenade" in a place that has a strong monumental background, and, is characteristic of the "Cretan landscape."
Along with the route, small scale spatial events-constructions are proposed. They have a supporting use in the operation of the “whole archeological park_promenade”, and a research center focused on the study of the Minoan civilization.
Some words for the design process: In 1500 b.C., the activation of a large crack, which extends in the bottom of the Aegean Sea, resulted in the activation of the volcano of Santorini. This phenomenon had a direct impact on the palace and the broader set of Knossos because, allegedly, is responsible for its destruction through tidal waves which were created by this activity.
Today, nearly 3500 years after this disaster, we focus on this place, in order to study, to "discover" and learn from history. The key concept-tool that we use in our efforts is the "crack". In this way, a process that was responsible for the disaster, is being studied again, in order be a tool which will bring to the surface all the "disappeared” elements.
Architectural elements and operations which are key features of Minoan architecture are being studied and reviewed, in order to form a basis for the design.
At the same time, concepts, such as the "isolation" and "disorientation", with direct references to the Labyrinth, considered to yield the desired-in every case-character space, and the relationship of the visitor with the surrounding area.
The manipulation of the natural ground is conducted in a way that makes the intervention almost reversible, and simultaneously as discrete as possible, at the selected points. Where necessary, we create the suggested "cracks" to yield the desired materiality.

CV

Gkoumas Evangelos was born in Heraklion in 1987 and studied architecture at the Polytechnic School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (5 year professional diploma in Architecture Engineering AUTH, graduated with honors).
Attended courses in the School of Architecture of Grenoble (ENSAG), September 2009 - February 2010 (Erasmus exchange Program), focusing on issues related to management, planning and development of mountain - Alpine areas.
He presented his Research Thesis project in June 2012, entitled, "Motion and Architecture - various readings through time".
He presented his Design Thesis project "Paths in History - Archaeological Promenade and Research center _ Knossos, Heraklion, Crete" and graduated from the Department of Architecture Engineering AUTH in September 2012.
During his studies, has participated in several conferences and Workshops, in Greece and abroad, while it has occasionally collaborated with offices of architecture.
He has many years of involvement with photography (architectural and artistic). He has organized and participated in exhibitions and competitions.
He has also participated in publishing works related with architecture, with his own writings and photographs.
During the present time, he lives in Barcelona and continues his studies at the faculty of Architecture, in “Escola Tècnica Superior d'Arquitectura de Barcelona (ETSAB)” (Master in Landscape Architecture, expected 2013).