Innovation and research institute, university of Cyprus

Student : Matsouka Maria, Charchari Nefeli
Supervisor: N. Tsinikas
School of Architecture - Aristotle Univercity of Thessaloniki
Date of presentation : September 27, 2012

The building site is near the West entrance of the Campus, it is triangularly shaped and is measured   7.000m². Its southern and western sides are adjacent to the road, while its east side is attached to the Polytechnic school. The peak of the triangle faces the north where it connects to the Belvedere, the pedestrian zone which crosses the campus and links all the main buildings together.

Inspired by the rod of Asclepius, the building consists of two different elements, which are strictly combined. A folded ribbon twists around a trapezoidal shape and gradually squeezes it, resulting in its deformation. At the same time the building adapts better to the hypsometric difference of the terrain, which reaches 10 m to the North-South axis. The ribbon is mainly attached to the ground, except from a specific part which hovers, creating a sheltered square, that, among others things, creates a path towards the Polytechnic school.

Regarding the interior, the basic intension was the escalation of the accessibility throughout the building floors. According to that, the ground level is primarily public, whereas the access to the upper floors is reduced. The main entrance is southerly situated, while another non-public access is located in the north. The trapezoidal shape contains primarily the laboratories, whereas the ribbon shelters offices and communal spaces. The outdoor spaces on the upper side of the trapezoid can be used to support the inside activities.

An important part in the designing process played the construction of the building. The trapezoidal shape is a composite structure, while the ribbon consists of a steel truss covered in alucobond. Five staircases, made of reinforced concrete serve to support both the composite and the steel structure. These as well as some horizontal trusses, which are connecting the trapezoidal shape with the ribbon, contribute to the integration of the whole structural system.