Construction of a camping in Megalo Livadi of Serifos

Student: Zoi Evridiki
Supervisors: Aggelis George, Κokkoris Panos, Πatrikios George
Demokritos University of Thrace, Department of Architectural Engineering
Date of presentation:  November 2012

The scenario is based on the need to overthrow the alienation of modern man, which makes the ontological being, just a consumer. We wanted to provoke a social action, which do not relate to the speculation. An imaginary brigade chooses Serifos as the appropriate place in developing a new way of thinking and living. In this place it's easy to find crumbling shells of stone, which could be reused for the construction of the camping, from locals and foreign tourists on the island, who wish to learn, criticize and interpret the struggles of the island, even the ancient truths of construction.

The valley of Megalo Livadi stretches along approximately 1.2 km with north-south direction. The bay is (due to its geophysics configuration and its southwest orientation) rarely affected by winds. Mining facilities are located on the steep cliffs, while the main settlement can be found to the valley. The public buildings of the Greek Mining Company (built between 1869  -1875) set up a linear axis on the sea front. The developed blocks of social housing were on both sides of the valley, in which form a U-shaped settlement. The interior of the valley was used for agricultural crops. In 1916 took place in this valley the first strike in Greece which was about the employee's eight hours of work, while the Greek labor movement was in its infancy creation.

In order to allow the settlement to receive the new use of camping, a new road is proposed to be constructed behind the seafront houses. The complex of the camping will be located to the south cliff, while the tents will be installed in the interior of the valley.

We could begin the construction through a pre-existing road, which leads to the upper face of the plot. Tents and shelters could be established above the excavations, serving their needs temporarily until the main facilities have been complete. Each year a residential unit will be added. So it was necessary to find a structure which has additive capacity. According to the composition's content, we aim the osmosis of various social groups and the ability of the camping's self-management.

The complex had to have a standard residential unit that is easily recognized and reproduced in the whole plot. The basic principle of the organization is a linear development of independent tumors.

The composition consists of a path-about 150 meters - which is the backbone of the complex by connecting and separating the areas of activities. The path is the flexible connection that indicates the ground elevation, sometimes with a smooth ascent with shadows from trees, sometimes with a walk through stairs and others in the form of a corridor.

The semi-open spaces and places to stay on the flat roofs (which are freely sheltered), are creating a movement that offers several meaning relationships.

The complex is based on a grid of 90 * 90 cm. The flat roofs, which are inaccessible, are covered by soil and plants (with brushwood-extensive green roof). The exterior walls and retaining walls are made of stone. It is noteworthy that the material used (stone) provides a significant depth. This depth is ideal for adding transitional elements (cabinets, niches, seats, e. t .c.) between the interior and the exterior - private and public.