The reuse of the Municipal Market of Chalkida and the redesign of the Market square

Students: Krikou Panagiota, Palogou Konstantina
Instructors-supervisors: Marlanti Maria, Vaiou Konstantina
Institution: National Technical University of Athens, Faculty of Architecture
Presentation Date: March 2013

The purpose of this dissertation is to deal with the building of the Municipal Market in Halkida and the square which lies ahead as an urban entirety in the city. Our proposal is to redesign the square and to achieve the direct communication with the Municipal Market , enriching the ensemble of these two components with various activities.

The Market, since the first years of its existence, used to co-exist and cooperate with the Square which is known as  "Market Square" because of  its location but, its function does not respond to this name any more . The Market consists of two buildings, built in two different phases ( first phase, 1885 , second phase 1933 ) , which co-exist in harmony. The four buildings of the first phase belong to the plain neoclassical type and they are located symmetrically around a central square. The buildings of the second phase follow the principles of the modern movement and consist of two parallel wings in the inner square and a third in the front view. In the last few years, the Market fell into decline until the closing down, its declaration as a preserved complex and ultimately its abandonment. As a result, it was completely separated from the square. The ground level difference between them, the intense circulation on the road  that intervenes and the current planning of the square contributed also to this . The square works, primarily, as a passage and the lack of specific uses discourages the visitor to experience the public space while the various boundaries, rising in the perimeter ( flowerbeds , constructions , raised walls ), prevent the direct connection of the two regions.

Considering the importance of the building, as a commercial and social center in the past, and its urban and architectural value, our proposal involves the reuse of the Market with mainly commercial use but with a different character from the one it used to have ( greengrocers, butchers, fishmongers ) . Although the commercial use still dominates in the immediate environment, we observe a diversity in terms of products and the development of many shops which the market cannot compete, as also, the intensely developed neighborhood commerce which certainly cannot replace. We choose, therefore, local products of Euboia, such as biological and other handmade items from cooperatives and clubs of producers, so as to be viewed through a market that has the potential to operate at super local level , as it is located in the center of a city with a large number of visitors all year long. In order to achieve the function of the market all day long and its being visited from people of all ages, the installation of other compatible uses which allow the development of activities similar to those that had taken place in the past with great impact ( eg exhibitions, bazaars ), it is recommended. Providing uses of mild recreation, workshops, open space events, a museum, a social grocery and a workshop where citizens could participate in the processing of herbs , we consider that the area could regain the intensity of the past .

The above-mentioned in the proposal, work together with the use of the square, as we achieve, with a variety of means, to unify the two regions that these last years were considered as two different worlds. We suggest the redesign of the "Market" Square and the direct connection with the Market in order to serve and to be served by this . Eliminating the intermediate boundary of the road, raising it at the level of the market and maintaining the access to and from the city that existed before, we accomplish the desired integration. The square is now enriched with strolls, rest areas, game parks and educational activities that will grant it identity and vividness throughout the day.

In order to promote this new attraction pole even from the entrance to the city, we emphasize, using proper planting ( with widening sidewalks where it is required), in the main roadway that leads from the old bridge to the intervention area (street Kotsou). By alternating evergreen and deciduous trees, we anticipate a comfortable and enjoyable journey which passes through the historic city center and highlights important buildings , which should be readily accessible to visitors.

The selected materials are: concrete, at the passages, the entrances of the square, at the recreation area and the inside part of the Market, thus showing the integration of the two , an intermediate material (wood deck), which diffuses the movements within the square, and a soft material ( soil ), which is ideal for wandering, rest and play.

In the planning of the square, planting is an important design tool as a continuity  of the axes of the city, directs the gaze at the routes and improves the quality of the different areas and the microclimate . The herbs and fruits from the plants, grown by a collective effort of citizens, will supply the market with products for sale or consumption. Equally important is the water element, which is introduced in different forms, as a sound and visual stimulation and the urban lighting which appears through different means depending on any of the intentions.