Urban reconstruction using the train

Student : Athanasopoulou Antonia
Supervisors: Triantafillidis Giorgos
University of Thessaly
Presentation Date: 12/03/2010

The aspects of flowing and dynamic character are introduced in the architecture.

The study  presented here proposes flowing forms, inspired by the existing morphology of the particular space but also by the effort to monitor the mobility of the means and the ideas connected to it. In a railway terminal everything is in motion, the passengers , the employees, the cargo , the train itself. The main expression  of this incorporation is the circle, the curve . the ellipse, forms that try to depict and describe motion. The secondary system of design is related to vertical routes that are governed by  a periodical rhythm in the designing of  the sectional view  based on the escape that the city network dictates.

Considering  the role that a railway terminal plays in a city , we can confirm the need to constitute a metropolitan centre that can recognize and fulfill the needs of any number of passengers as they change in time. However, a terminal in the concept of an urban gate must be surrounded by a variety of functions but also, by important for public use space. Therefore, we propose a network of pathways , accesses and communal space junctions. This network should provide fast and effortless transportation, connections and        optical exits to and from the surrounding urban network as well as, the construction of multi-functional centres as points of reference and social gathering.

This project is situated in the centre of Patras, a focal point in the country for commerce and communication with Italy and the western European countries.  It is an urban point of interlocal climax. It deals with the remobilization of an  abandoned area in Patras, the old machine-works of the national railway company , OSE.                      

Today, it is a boundary point in the connection of the coastline to the city,a main entry area to the city. The area of Saint Dionyssios  was the starting point of the first electric tram routes in Greece. The remaining railway tracks as well as the old carriages are still in the area of the study. The OSE plans for the modernization of  the area of study  include  an underground way that will go under the existing tracks and the construction of a modern commercial terminal.

The proposed reconstruction of the area, based on the OSE  requirements for underground railtracks, places  the train activity underground, the entrance to the railway terminal opposite to the port terminal  providing a view of the urban space and offering direct access through the main traffic  highway. After  the plan of the terminal, by moving up to the next level we can find a restaurant and an open area contained by walls which is proposed to facilitate free commerce as well  as metal kiosks for short-term housing of sellers. Perpendicular to this area we propose the  creation of a unit of overnight accommodation for travelers  or visitors. All the constructions are covered by a system of horizontal panels. There is also an open -air square with  transparent glass seats  and "cracks" in the                                          ground  providing abundant natural light in the terminal.

On the other side of this space there is an area with trees as a stop point, a drink-and-snacks shop in the horizontal axis to the temple and a level where the old steam engines are on display. In addition, we propose the construction of an amphitheatre and a corridor covered by  an artificial level of water. Our suggestion is to reuse the old carriages for commercial needs  as well as, to construct a bridge in the form of an elliptical ramp connecting the area to the  port terminal area. Finally, there are a lot of green areas proposed, with greenery and flower beds.

The aim of this proposal is to upgrade the quality of life, to provide specific traffic lines and their allocation in the area and in addition to offer mobile and visual access to the entrance and exit points, using as a tool, a people-centred  design with forms that  incorporate the modern way of life. These forms interpret  movement, transport  and  transition as image. The proposal also aims to create different settings, the element of wandering and to express the  purpose to create  a city that relates to its dwellers.