Reforming the "Balkan" Square of the municipality of Naples (3rd Prize)

Description
This project was designed for the needs of an architectural competition been held by the Greek Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change. The aim of the competition was the regeneration of Balkan Square in Neapoli, Thessaloniki and its conversion to a cultural and sport centre for the citizens.

Concept
The fact that inadequate proportion of greenery corresponds to the citizens of the municipality led us to design a park covered to its maximum area with green.

Areas are paved where it is really necessary for functional reasons. The park is developed in two levels.

This serves the connection of several uses, the exploitation of the view to the sea, the respect to the physical slope of the ground and the maximization of the greenery.

A theatre, temporary kiosks and a football court are sited at the lower level, whereas, a playground, a skate-park and a structure that combines a cafe and a gathering space for elderly people are laying on the upper level.

Holes on the upper level ground are used so as to connect the levels and to naturally light the lower one.

Sustainability
Green fluctuates from low to high. In fact, trees are mostly used around the study area not only to isolate it optically and acoustically from the surrounding environment but to act as a buffer zone, as well. Low green, such as grass and bushes, are used to cover the rest of the area.

Concerning the access to the study area, a traffic impact study was held so as a safe and easy access to the area by public means of transportation and private vehicles to be achieved. In addition, an underground four storey parking building is taken into account so as to address the visitors and citizens needs.

Architectural study : office25 architects > Design team: Antonis Perpatidis, Thanasis Chrysomallis, Manolis Vourakis, Katerina Rapti, Ariadni Parisi, Nantia Stamou, Vasilis Nikolopoulos, Tania Tzima, Elena Papageorgiou, Eleni Theodoridou
Architect : Alexios Vandoros

Landscape architect - consultant: Antigoni Matsiou
Students of architecture: Eleni Loukidou, Maria Anagnostou, Eua Aetopoulou
Urban design study: Dr. Apostolos Kuriazis
Circulation study: Alexis Oikonomou
Collaborator: Dimitris Mavraedis

Date 2012