KTIZON

Office Building - [Athens]

2009-05-12T15:07:00.012+02:00

A multistorey office building in Koniari street (near mount Lycabettus) by Aris Masouridis and Maria Gioultzoglou.

43 Οδός Κονιαρη
Athens 11471, Greece

View Larger Map

Click Here for Bird's eye view.

sources:
http://www.hellinikimeletitiki.gr/en/projects/buildings/koniari43.html

http://www.diathlasis.gr/companyProjects/projects2/Other/Koniari

New Archeological Museum - [Chania]

2009-05-12T14:40:00.012+02:00

For a country that is still forging its way through a new era of aesthetics and urban milestones, Theofanis Bobotis is one of the forerunners. Α person bold enough to challenge the consensus of the current norms and even bolder to bring his ideas into reality. Despite the fact that norms will not always follow. They might eventually.

You probably know him already, since he is the proud creator of the new Archaeological Museum of Patras. In this case he does what he knows best, once again, for the city of Chania. A long awaited project is going to be finally realized. For more than 46 years, the old Archaeological Museum was squeezed inside the narrow streets of the historical center of Chania. It is time for a relief.

The total area of the building covers 5.230m2. Theofanis has chosen height levels spanning 6 to 8 meters but also rooms of 15 meters in width. The facade is covered with ribbed ceramic material.

The building will be located in the region of Halepa (Χαλέπα).

sources:

www.bobotis.gr

http://www.hellinikimeletitiki.gr/

http://lacanea.wordpress.com

One Athens Apartments - [Athens]

2009-05-11T13:59:00.012+02:00

Architecture has a lasting effect. At least, good architecture. Sometimes, however, a strange transition occurs. A point, where what was considered true is false, and what was thought perfect is now inadequate. The bounds of this transitive period are always fuzzy and redefined each time it occurs.

In this case we have a lasting icon that shaped modern Greece and many great cities of the planet. Doxiadis was always an iconic name in the realms of architecture and urban planning. A figure that was engulfing all the meanings of words like cosmopolitan, progressive and vindicative.

Divercity architects are the new audacious kids of Greek architecture. They are transforming the work of the master architect into something that fits the modern era. In terms of aesthetics at least. If the result is appealing is highly subjective. If the result retains something of the initial plan is under scrutinity.

But it comes a time when the old gives its place to the new and the master approves of the student that surpassed him. Doxiadis would approve

source:

http://www.divercityarchitects.com/project_34_athensapp.html

Goody's Nafplio

2009-05-10T17:38:00.011+02:00

The gems you find hidden, are usually the ones shining the most. "Goody's" is a fast food chain, the largest one indeed. It was the first one as well. The company that brought a new lifestyle to the young Greek generation 20 years ago. At some point, it has even been synonymous of coolness and progressiveness. This image is long ago lost. It remains however an icon of the modern pathways, this society took, in order to reach the European and American Dream. Doing it the Greek way.

As I said, the gem shines. And what a place to shine in!

Nafplio. The first capital of the young Greek State. Yes, it was not Athens. It was this small historical city in the east side of Peloponnese. A charming little city, surrounded by spectacular scenery, and monuments spanning millenia.

It is fascinating to see, that Goody's had the vision to create something out of the ordinary in this city of beauty. And somehow pay homage to a place where every inch is instilled with history.

The company has chosen an old renovated building, clothed it with modern industrial design and created a space that is both contemporary but old. The lighting strategy manages to capture all the elements of the building into one unique combination.

ΣIΔHPΑΣ MEPΑPXIΑΣ 1
ΝΑYΠΛIO, 211 00
Ελλάδα
Τηλ: 27520-96296
Fax: 27520-96297

View Larger Map

Sources:
http://www.flashlight.gr/index.php?maincat=11&subcat=34&newsid=136&curpage=2

Genepharm

2009-05-10T08:48:00.004+02:00

New Manufacturing Facilities for Genepharm in Athens.

The architects behind the project are ISV. Ioannou, Sotiropoulos, Van Gilder.

Sources:
http://www.noisisdev.gr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64&Itemid=82&lang=el
http://www.genepharm.gr/

Technopolis Gazi - [Athens]

2008-02-17T19:15:00.005+01:00

The City of Athens Technopolis, that spreads in an area of about 30.000 m2, is a vigorous industrial museum, of incomparable architecture, one of the most interesting of its kind in Europe. It is lodged in the old Athens Gasworks, widely known as Gazi, next to Keramikos and very close to the Acropolis.

The Gazi (Gaz) Factory was founded in 1857. It started functioning in 1862 and closed down its furnaces in August 1984. It was the last factory in Europe that was functioning in a traditional way until the day it closed.

It has been operating since 1999 and it is dedicated to the memory of the great Greek composer Manos Chatzidakis. In honor of Greek poetry, the eight buildings operating within the “Technopolis” premises, bear the names of great Greek poets: Andreas Embirikos (Room D1), Angelos Sikelianos (D4), Yannis Ritsos (Amphitheater "Athina 9 ,84" radio station), Kostis Palamas (D10), Takis Papatsonis (D6), Constantine Cavafis (D7) and Kostas Varnalis (D8).

Within its architectural space, one can see a real community, autonomous and self-reliant. The carpenter's shop, the melting-works, the machine-works, the garage for car repair, the restaurant, the barber-shop, the community clinic, were just some of the facilities offered by a well organized closed economy.

sources:
Structurae
City of Athens
Greece-Athens
Flickr-Panoramas
AthensInfoGuide
PaesiOnLine

Athens Information Technology: AIT - [Athens]

2008-02-15T19:04:00.002+01:00

Athens Information Technology (AIT), an education and research center in the fields of information technology and telecommunications, was founded in 2001 by INTRACOM.

AIT’s research and education facilities located in Peania, a northern suburb of Athens, include three state-of-the-art interactive amphitheaters (totaling 400 seats) fully equipped with audiovisual network systems enabling tele-education; the region’s most technologically advanced laboratories for embedded systems, software engineering & web applications, autonomic & grid computing, high speed & optical communications, and wireless & sensor networks; a library; study rooms; a bookstore; a restaurant-café; a recreation area and a dormitory.

AIT operates as a Laboratory of Liberal Studies according to the Greek Law.

The complex is located nearby the industrial facilities of INTRACOM and was build by DIEKAT.

sources:
AIT
DIEKAT

Ilida Business Center - [Athens]

2008-02-14T00:07:00.001+01:00

Ilida Business Center is an office building in Maroussi, near the Athens Olympic Sports Complex.

The complex occupies an area of 10.000 sq.m. while the total area of the building is 13.000 sq.m. in 6 levels.

The building was constructed by Lamda Development.

source:
Lamda Development

Ο ουρανοξύστης ως σύμβολο.

2008-02-13T03:04:00.000+01:00

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

Faliro Complex - [Athens]

2008-02-12T11:27:00.002+01:00

The Greek construction and real estate company Babis Vovos has inaugurated a new building complex in the southern suburb of Athens, Paleo Faliro.

The complex comprises of two 5-storey buildings. The land lot is 9.734 sq.m. while the total area of the buildings reaches 23.000 sq.m. The lot belonged to Rizarios Ecclesiastical School. The construction was due to finish during 2006.

The complex will host cinemas, shops and offices. Moreover, there are more than 1.400 parking spaces available.

The monthly rent reaches more than 300.000€ for the total leasable area, while the value of the contracts (13 years) is 49.000.000€.

sources:
Babis Vovos
Structurae
Symenox

Μια νέα ημέρα ξημερώνει

2008-02-11T02:47:00.000+01:00

Πολλές φορές δεν χρειάζεται προσπάθεια για να ξεκινήσεις κάτι καινούργιο. Δεν χρειάζεται να πείσεις τον εαυτό σου για τις αποφάσεις που πρόκειται να πάρεις. Δεν χρειάζεται να καταναλώσεις ενέργεια.

Γιατί η ιδέα έρχεται από παλιά. Γιατί η απόφαση έχει ήδη παρθεί. Γιατί η ενέργεια αναπληρώνεται κάθε στιγμή.

Πριν από 34 χρόνια, λίγο πριν την πτώση της δικτατορίας, ένας νόμος έμελε να αλλάξει τη μορφή της Αθήνας. Σήμερα, πολλά από όσα βλέπουμε γύρω μας, ή για την ακρίβεια δεν βλέπουμε, οφείλονται σε εκείνη την απόφαση που δεν άλλαξε ποτέ μέχρι σήμερα. Το όραμα και η θέληση ορισμέων ανθρώπων να ξεπεράσουν τα όρια, να κοιτάξουν και πάλι ψηλά, είναι ο οδηγός μας. Θέλουμε η Αθήνα να γίνει πάλι πρωτοπόρος, να εξισωθεί και να ξεπεράσει τις Μητροπόλεις του κόσμου. Να γίνει η οδηγός. Η πόλη που οι κάτοικοι της θα νιώθουν περηφάνεια ακούγοντας το όνομα της.

Σας προσκαλούμε στο Tall Athens

Citius, Altius, Fortius

όσο γίνεται πιο Altius ...

Workshop-s - [Athens]

2008-02-07T20:20:00.000+01:00

Workshop-s houses the homonymous architectural office. It is a 4 level multidimensional space that covers a total area of 1500 sq.m. The building has also 2 underground levels.

Workshop-s functions as a:

an architectural practice and construction company
a furniture and objects showroom
a contemporary art and architecture gallery
a small cafe - meeting place

Natural light is diffused on all levels through openings both in the exterior and the internal vertical and horizontal spaces of the building.

Architectural elements and furniture glow with an artificial light that gives the impression that everything floats in space.

The architect behind the project is Dionisis Sotovikis.

sources:
http://www.workshop-s.com/
http://www.diathlasis.gr/Projects.cfm?ID=88

Secretariat General of Communication & Information - [Athens]

2008-02-07T19:42:00.000+01:00

The complex is built on a 4,580 sq.m. land plot and consists of two independent curved multi-story buildings with three underground levels including 240 parking spaces. The first building comprises a ground floor six floors, covering a total area of 8,929 sq.m. with 7,826 sq.m. of independent underground areas.

The project includes landscaping of the surrounding area with planting and irrigation, as well as the construction of a kindergarten. This building will accommodate the services of the former "Ministry of Press and Mass Media".

The second building consists of a ground floor and three storeys, covering a total area of 2,020 sq.m. as well as a 1,764m2 independent underground level which is part of the 1st basement. This building is independent from the first one and is intended to accommodate office and commercial uses.

The building was designed by the architect Sotiris (Sotos) Tsoulos.

sources:
http://www.minpress.gr/minpress/en/index.htm
Sotiris Tsoulos
Hellenic Republic Real Estate Corporation (KED)
AKTOR

Library of the University of Crete - [Rethymnon]

2008-02-07T19:31:00.000+01:00

University Library in Rethymnon, built in 1991.

Architect: Antonis Noukakis.

sources:
http://www.lib.uoc.gr/
Helliniki Meletitiki
University of Creta

Foundation for Research and Technology - [Herakleion]

2008-02-07T19:17:00.000+01:00

The Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH), established in 1983, is one of the largest research centers in Greece. It functions under the supervision of the General Secretariat for Research and Technology of the Hellenic Ministry of Development and consists of seven Research Institutes located throughout Greece: Heraklion, Rethymnon, Patras and Ioannina. The Foundation's headquarters are located in Heraklion, Crete.

The architect of the complex was Panos Koulermos.

sources:
http://www.forth.gr
Helliniki Meletitiki
STEPC

Veso Mare - [Patras]

2008-02-07T18:54:00.001+01:00

Veso Mare is the first leisure and shopping center in Patras, operating since 2001. The shopping center has an average footfall of 2.5 million customers every year.

It comprises of an 8-screen Ster Century Cinemas multiplex, a 16-lane Bowling alley-one of the country's largest and most sophisticated bowling alleys - restaurants, cafes, a large toy store and others.

Veso Mare has received an ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) award for its innovative design and construction, and accreditation at the Leisure Property Awards as one of the best small centers.

The complex offers 320 underground parking spaces. It comprises of 14.900 sq.m. and is allocated over 2 levels.

The building was completed in November 2001. The commercial value of the property is estimated at 40.000.000€.

In 2007 Veso Mare was sold to Henderson Global Investors Limited.

View Larger Map

Click here to see Bird's eye view

sources:
www.veso.gr
Cushman & Wakefield
REDS

House - [Loutraki]

2008-02-02T10:06:00.000+01:00

Diathlasis Architectural Lighting and the Architect Konstantaki Christina are responsible for this house in Loutraki.

sources:
http://www.diathlasis.gr/Projects.cfm?ID=78

Cultural Center - School of Aristotle -[Naousa]

2008-02-02T09:30:00.001+01:00

A place of universal interest, the ruins of Aristotle's School, is a found only 2 kilometers away from the contemporary Naousa. The Cultural Center of Aristotle's School is a center of culture and recreation. It is situated at the area surrounding the archaeological monument of Aristotle's School. It belongs to the Municipality of Naousa and it was donated by the businessman, Christos Lanaras.

The main materials used in the building are wood and metal.

The building covers a total surface of 770 sq.m. consisting of one ground floor (330 sq.m.) and one underground floor (440 sq.m) - the underground floor hosts a small conference center of 80 seats. It is situated on a 18.000 sq.m. field, donated by the municipality of Naousa. The total cost has reached 3.000.000€.

The architect is T. Kotsiopoulos (Τ. Κωτσιόπουλος) and the design was awarded in a national contest. The architectural lighting of the building is by Diathlasis Architecture.

sources:
http://www.sxoliaristotelous.gr/en/index.htm
http://www.diathlasis.gr/Projects.cfm?ID=89
http://www.naousa.gr/utils/article.asp?id=493
http://www.laosver.gr/news/local/10691.html

Business Center - LIMANI - [Thessaloniki]

2008-01-14T11:55:00.000+01:00

A new business center has opened its doors in the second largest city of Greece. The center lies in the west part of the city. The building includes 3 different functions: Commercial Center, Business Center and Parking Space.

The complex covers a total surface of 40.000 sq.m on a ground plot of 12.000 sq.m. It has also 650 parking seats.

The architects are Morfo Papanikolaou and Rena Sakellaridou

sources:
TERNA
Mantzaris
Kathimerini

Odeon Starcity - [Athens]

2007-11-09T15:55:00.000+01:00

Odeon, one of the largest cinema groups in Greece, has inaugurated a new multiplex Cinema in Syggrou Avenue, Athens. The building hosts 10 different screens that can accommodate 1850 viewers in total.

The complex has a surface of 20.000 sq.m., including the mall and restaurant/cafe spots

sources:
www.starcity.gr
http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?ID=s0032138

Computer Technology Institute - [Patras]

2007-10-31T18:37:00.000+01:00

Computer Technology Institute is hosted in a privately owned building complex, covering a total area of 4,430 m2, within a building site of 10,000 m2, granted to CTI by the University of Patras.

The building has 5 levels. It uses a fully automated control system of its operations. It has conference, educational and presentation rooms including an amphitheater of 132 persons.

The building is located inside the campus of the University of Patras.

sources:
http://www.cti.gr

R.C. Tech Office - [Athens]

2007-10-25T20:31:00.000+02:00

The architecture office R.C. Tech has moved to its new private office building in Neo Psychiko. The building follows the principles of bio-climatic design.

Diathlasis provided the architectural lighting of the building

The land plot covers an area of 348 sq.m. and the building rises to 5 floors in total, while it has another two underground basements.

The building was designed by the R.C. Tech founders: Nasos Hamilothodoris, Dania Dourida and the civil engineer Vasilis Douridas. (Νάσου Ε. Χαμηλοθώρη, Δάνιας Δουρίδα και τον πολιτικό μηχανικό Βασίλη Δουρίδα)

sources:
http://www.rctech.gr
http://www.diathlasis.gr/Projects.cfm?ID=87
http://www.alumil.gr
http://www.athensvoice.gr

Embassy of Japan - [Athens]

2007-10-21T13:32:00.000+02:00

The Japanese embassy in Greece is hosted in a new building from the end of 2004. The embassy was designed by Dr. Kisho Kurokawa (this is his first work in Greece). The Embassy building is based on the key theme of Eco-System, and provides various eco-friendly functions.

Greek company, EKTER, was the subcontractor of the Japanese "KONOIKE CONSTRUCTION LTD". The construction cost has reached 6.300.000€. The total surface of the building is 672 sq.m. in a land plot of 2.577 sq.m.

source:
http://www.kisho.co.jp/
http://www.gr.emb-japan.go.jp/portal/gr/info/building.htm
http://www.ekter.gr

U.S. Embassy - [Athens]

2007-10-20T11:53:00.002+02:00

The American Embassy "Chancery" (office) building in Athens was designed by famed Bauhaus School architect Walter Gropius (the Architects' Collaborative and consulting architect was Pericles Sakellarios - 1905/1985). It was constructed between 1959 and 1961 and is a protected architectural landmark. Gropius' famous design was in the characteristic simple Bauhaus form, and, as the architect said, it had been inspired by the architecture of the Parthenon.

The Embassy is now constructing a Chancery Annex, the first new diplomatic construction in Greece by the United States in 45 years. The new Annex, designed by Kallman, McKinnell and Wood, will feature a classic, understated style.Indigenous materials will be used in the construction and the Annex will feature facades of the same Greek marble used in the Chancery.

Construction is expected to be completed by spring of 2007, and the new offices to begin operating soon thereafter (the construction has nowadays been completed). Excluding the cost of land acquisition, the project will cost approximately $40 million.

The green spaces and gardens will occupy most of the land currently under construction. Trellises filled with plants and flowers will cover the open areas and walkways around the buildings. The parking facility will be covered with a roof trellis as well. While the building permit and zoning law allow for approximately 9,000 sq.m. of structures, the Embassy will be constructing only 5,000 sq.m. of buildings, leaving plenty of open areas and green space around it. In addition, along Gelonos Street, on the northwest side of the Embassy compound and on land owned by the City of Athens, there is a wide stretch that will be turned into a park after the completion of the construction.

The new extension features a 20m. garden scultpure by US artist Michael Singer in marble, pre-cast concrete and metal that emerges from the landscaping, providing seating and elements of slowly coursing water. The sculpture's materials and textures are designed to allude to archaeological discoveries related to Greek culture while the whole is visible from various points of the Embassy compound. Within the new annex is a gallery that houses an art collection of work by 15 Greek or Greek-American artists.

sources:
http://athens.usembassy.gov/ABOUT_US/annex.htm
http://www.kmwarch.com/
http://www.hellinikimeletitiki.gr/projects/special/us_embassy.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embassy_of_the_United_States_in_Athens
http://www.michaelsinger.com/

Ministry of Mercantile Marine - [Piraeus]

2007-10-16T18:02:00.000+02:00

The Greek Ministry of Mercantile Marine has recently moved in a new modern building. The building is a reconstruction of the existing four (4) story warehouse located at the Piraeus Port - Vasiliadi coast.

The building complex includes a control tower (VTS-VTMIS), where the national center of maritime traffic control is installed. The total surface of the tower is approximately 3.000 sq.m, it has a volume of 9.000 cu.m. and a height of 45m.

The total volume of the building is 164.500 cu.m. with a height of 27 m. The total surface of the building is 42.000 sq.m. and the construction cost has reached 30.000.000€. This amount was totally financed by the Public Fund of Trust and Loans (Ταμείο Παρακαταθηκών και Δανείων) , with a 30 year loan. However, it is important to note that the expenses of the loan amount to the current expenses for renting the several buildings the ministry is occupying.

The study was conducted by ANAPLASI architects - Kalaitzis, Sitarenios, Stratigeas - (Ξ. ΚΑΛΑΙΤΖΗΣ, Β. ΣΙΤΑΡΕΝΙΟΣ, Ν. ΣΤΡΑΤΗΓΕΑΣ & ΣΥΝΕΡΓΑΤΕΣ). The construction company was AEGEK (ΑΕΓΕΚ) and the manufacturer of aluminum, Eurodomika.

The construction period started in 2001 and ended in 2006.

sources:
http://www.yen.gr/
Greek Wikipedia Entry
http://www.aegek.gr/gre/projects37.html
http://anaparastasis.com/
ΕΤΕΜ
http://www.eurodomica.gr

Office Building - Yannis Aesopos - [Athens]

2007-10-13T18:07:00.000+02:00

This office building is an assemblage of public and private elements from the polykatoikia.

The more private programme of the office spaces is realized as an introverted, monolithic white marble volume with relatively small openings; the more public programme of circulation and meeting spaces is realized as a large, extroverted steel and glass structure.

The building is H-shaped in plan so as to achieve maximum elevation surface and thus optimal light penetration.

The four narrow end facades reveal glass elevations in between them, as well as two sunken planted courtyards through which daylight enters the two large basement meeting rooms, located below the pilotis level.

Sources & Links
http://www.aesopos.net/office/index.htm
http://www.athens9.net/ARCHITECTS/Aesopos/Profile-Aesopos-ENG.html
http://www.mimoa.eu/projects/Greece/Athens/Office%20Building

Royal Theater - [Thessaloniki]

2007-09-30T13:25:00.000+02:00

The Royal Theater of Thessaloníki hosts the NTNG (National Theater of Northern Greece), one of the most important theatrical institutions in Greece. The theater was original build under the plans of the famous architect and urban-planner Constantions Doxiadis in 1940.

The building was reconstructed in its current form during 1996 for the needs of the first "Cultural Capital of Europe", the city of Thessaloniki.

The building complex consists of a hall of 800 seats, a very large, multiple-capacity stage with a 10-metre sub-stage, and technical infrastructure for theatrical dance performances as well as concerts and film viewing. There is also a 2,000 sq. foyer that can be used for presenting large exhibitions. The cost of the reconstruction reached 55.000.000€.

Sources:
http://www.ntng.gr
http://11dim-evosm.thess.sch.gr/visitinfo.htm

Politia Allatini - [Thessaloniki]

2007-04-29T23:11:00.000+02:00

“Politia Allatini” will be erected in the area of the old ALLATINI mill in Thessaloniki.

The original property of ALLATINI, where the flour mill stood together with all of its secondary buildings, exceeded 35,000 square meters. In 1971, the land was characterized as an open ground of common use. In 1991, the mill as well as some other buildings of the property along with their surrounding areas were characterized as historical scheduled monuments.

Nowadays, the area of the ALLATINI property that can be exploited, after a series of commitments and acts of regularization, amounts to 26,000 square meters. The existing scheduled buildings together with the planned new constructions will cover only 36.5% of the land and therefore more than 4 acres will not be built.

The scheduled buildings to be restored cover approximately 12,500 square meters. Among them we can still find the central mill of the complex, the administration building (the oldest building of the complex that dates back to 1890), the residence of the factory’s manager, the old machine shop, the bakeries that provided the Greek army with bread up until some decades ago and others.

The old warehouses of Allatini, which belong to the state, are located outside the perimeters of “Politia Allatini” and face the sea. This area of 5.5 square meters, together with the 2,500 square meters of the warehouses has been handed over to the Ministry of Culture and will be exploited by the 16th Regulatory Office of Antiquities. Besides the value of the land, the anticipated investment will amount to 40 million Euros for the next four years.

sources:
http://www.themeliodomi.gr/act_develop_Allatini.html
http://www.allatini.gr/en/politeia.asp

Thission Lofts - [Athens]

2007-04-28T15:18:00.000+02:00

"Thission Lofts", is a listed industrial building on 123 Pireos Av., in the heart of a booming area, which is rapidly evolving into a cultural and leisure center of Athens.

This listed factory is located along the ancient and busy Peiraios Avenue which connects Athens with the port of Peiraius. Its urban surrounding is a curious juxtaposition between the Acropolis and the building remains of the migrated industries. Currently, the influx of cultural institutions and new residents are driving the rapid transformation of the area into one of Athens’ cultural hubs.

The building’s predominate element is its four storey central internal courtyard - functioning as the main gathering and access space to all 19 lofts and gallery spaces.

The building has a total 3.500 sq.m. area hosting 19 individual residential lofts. There are 3 floors in total and a ground floor serving as a garage.

In order to retain the character of the industrial spaces, a single ‘suitcase’ structure is presented to each Loft. It gathers all necessary utility spaces into a single pod and leaves the remaining spaces untouched. The ‘suitcase’ installation is a focused insertion that can be adapted to suit each individual loft whilst retaining its compact and transitional character.

The Project will be constructed and developed by GNOMON Constructions and it was designed by IF- architects. The Project is scheduled to be completed by the end of Oct 2007 and it will cost 8.000.000€.

sources:
http://www.if-untitled.com
http://www.thissionlofts.gr
http://www.gnomonconstructions.gr
http://www.widebridges.com

Region of Central Macedonia - [Thessaloniki]

2007-04-27T17:16:00.000+02:00

The city of Thessaloniki has always been the center of the Greek army forces. This has granted the city with 7 large army camps inside its borders. However, the last years the ministry of defense is donating this high-value land back to the cities (likewise in Patras) . The region of Central Macedonia is planning to unite its divisions under one building in FARMAKIS camp.

Farmakis Camp occupies a total area of 65.000 sq.m. It is going to host as well divisions of the Perfecture of Thessaloniki.

The building area will be 3.500 sq.m. and the total area of the building will reach 15.000 sq.m.

The desing of the complex comes from ARIS architectural office.

source:
http://www.arishellas.com

Favorite Architecture - [USA]

2007-04-25T16:24:00.000+02:00

A new website has benn launched by the AIA (American Institute of Architects), trying to estimate the architectural value of several well known buildings in the United States. Everybody (US citizen or not), has the chance to evaluate several landmark buildings and symbols of places, events or whole eras.

The website itself is an example of architecture, combining aesthetic beauty, usability and lots of informative content.

You can choose among 150 different buildings, that represent some of the best of America's architectural heritage. You might select and vote your 5 favorite ones among them, so as to participate in this major event as well.

However, before this exhibit a major survey was conducted including interviews of AIA members followed by a survey of the public. The ranking of the buildings was based on the process of those specific results.

Non-strikingly the most favorable architectural feat of all, is the magnificent Empire State building. A building that signified a whole era in the US and played the role of a prime landmark for the NY city and the country for severals decades.

The top 10 includes the Thomas Jefferson Memorial built to celebrate the 200 years from his birth.

In position 9 stands a close rival to the first, the elegant Chrysler Building.

While checking this very nice website, try to imagine which buildings would you include in a similar Greek List.

http://favoritearchitecture.org/

KANINGOS 21 Hotel - [Athens]

2007-04-22T18:28:00.000+02:00

Kaningos 21 hotel is located on the northwest corner of Kaningos Square in the centre of Athens. The existing hotel was constructed in1965 and underwent a structural reinforcement and aesthetic refurbishing in 2004 by META architects.

Seventy-two rooms on 7 stories occupy the spaces between the double height lobby with mezzanine hosting a reception, cafe, restaurant and congress halls and the roof with its bar-restaurant offering views to Lycabettus Hill and the Acropolis.

A vanilla marble from Leivadia and a warm beige marble from Ritsona are used for the reception area and the mezzanine restaurant. The same combination of materials is applied in all the corridors for the room levels. The elevators are cladded in translucent glass panels. All the bedrooms have wooden floors and plasterboard walls. The bathrooms a combination of white Kozani marble and grey Aliveri marble. The curtain wall facade employs a dramatic red limestone, "Travertino Rosso'.

The architectural approach to this project is sculptural. The thick columns and repetitive, recessed openings giving the impression that the building has been carved out of a mass of stone. These large openings establish a relationship between each room-cell and the city outside, especially the rooms with views along the axis of the Acadimias Str.

The overall density celebrates the square, marking one of its corners in red. Similarly, the implementation of a light study creates an icon of the building at night.

sources:
http://www.kaningos21.gr/
http://www.meta-arch.gr/pages/shops/set_en.htm

SATO office & stores building - [Athens]

2007-04-21T18:45:00.000+02:00

The main building of the Greek office furniture company Sato, a work by Dimitris Potiropoulos and Liana Potiropoulou ( in association with Gousis & Frijda architects), is an impressive example of deconstruction architecture in Attica.

The random geometry of the lot, which has a narrow front on Kifissias Ave and continues back from there in a crooked line, affected the architectural solution. Thus, the metal volume of the building curves along the line of the lot and meets Kifissias Ave on an angle. The façade intersected by Kifissias is emphasised by being faced with black unpolished granite. The shade panels that protect the south and west side from the sun are deployed along the linear vertical grid of the building. On this grid are also metal forms that jut out at random and are suspended over the street.

The Sato office building – in its particular location – offered an opportunity to develop more dynamic ideas about buildings in relation to the typical Cartesian building forms and level façades that flank this particular thoroughfare.

sources:
http://www.culture2000.tee.gr/ATHENS/ENGLISH/BUILDINGS/BUILD_TEXTS/B172_t.html
http://www.potiropoulos.gr/typology.html
http://www.gfa.gr/Projects/all-old-projects-en.htm

Ministry of Transport and Communications - [Athens]

2007-04-19T20:54:00.000+02:00

The impressive building complex of the Hellenic Ministry of Transport and Communications was created in order to host its mulitple divisions in one place.

The building was constructed by GEK, Th.Karayiannhs and TEB. The construction started at 1995 and was finished at 1998.

The total area of the building complex is 18.000 sq.m. including an amphitheater of 800 seats, and an underground parking space for 200 cars. The ministry is build on a 40.000 sq.m. lot.

The total cost of the project including furniture, equipement and moving from the old buildings reached 30.000.000 €.

Sources:
http://www.thkarayannis.gr/works.html
http://www.stand.gr/activities_01.htm

Public Gallery of Larisa - [Larisa]

2007-04-05T12:40:00.000+02:00

The new public gallery of Larisa was created in order to host the large collection of surgeon G.I. Katrigras an art enthusiast and collector, who donated 700 paintings to the city.

The collection contains invaluable art pieces from great Greek painters such as Lytras, Volanakis, Gysis, Galanis, Parthenis and many more.

The city of Larisa already had a small collection of 200 paintings from local artists which were mostly donated by the artists themselves.

Mr Katrigras donated as well the inestimable furniture of his office that belonged to the famous archaeologist - treasure hunter Heinrich Schliemann (that discovered Troy, Mycenae and Tiryns). He also donated his collection of art magazines (1200 titles) most of them hard to find or out of circulation.

The construction of the building was finished during 2003, when it was inaugurated by the President of the Hellenic Democracy - Kosti Stefanopoulo. The total surface of the building reaches 6.500 sq.m.

sources:
http://www.larissa-dimos.gr
http://www.larissacity.com

Motor Oil Headquarters - [Athens]

2007-04-05T12:03:00.000+02:00

Motor oil is one of the largest oil refineries in Greece and the owner of the company (Vardinoyannis) one of the most influential industrialists. The luxurious headquarters of the company are situated in Marousi. They occupy a total ground surface of 2.360 sq.m.

The building has 2 underground levels for parking space, a middle floor for entrance and owners parking. There are also 4 floors for office space in a Π shape so as to create an open atrium with green and skylights. On the top of the building there exists a heliport. Τhe facade and the interior of the building are covered with marbles.

Τhe construction of the building was completed during 1994 and the architect was the famous (and recently departed) Iason Rizos. The construction cost reached 15.000.000€.

Sources:
http://www.moh.gr
http://www.bioter.gr
http://www.rizos-architects.gr/

ETBA Headquarters - [Athens]

2007-04-05T11:46:00.000+02:00

The imposing building of ETBA bank in Syngrou Avenue now belongs to Piraeus Bank like the whole ETBA company. It was designed back in the 70's by the famous greek architect A. Tombazis. However the construction of the building was finished during 1991 by BIOTER

The building has 4 underground levels for parking space that cover 8.000 sq.m. of total surface. It has 8 floors for office space with a total area of 10.000 sq.m. The ground level is shaped in a way to facilitate the operations of the bank.

The construction cost was 14.000.000 €.

Sources:
http://www.bioter.gr/index.php?lang=gr
*the night photo belongs to [Gioяgos] (memeber of skyscrapercity).

Interamerican Headquarters - [Athens]

2007-04-05T11:06:00.000+02:00

The construction of the headquarters of Interamerican Insurance Company was appointed to J&P AVAX. The architectural study of the building was done by the famous architect Porphyrios.

The building has a total surface of 14.500 sq.m. It consists of 7 underground levels for car parking, a ground level and 7 more floors to serve as office space.

The building occupies a prominent position in Syngrou Avenue, close to Acropolis.The flatiron plan and projective metal eaves give a distinct figural presence to the building. It combines modern office architecture with classical tradition.

The construction started at 2000 and ended at 2002.

Sources:
http://www.porphyrios.com/
http://www.jp-avax.gr/

Pfizer Hellas Headquarters - [Athens]

2007-04-05T10:51:00.000+02:00

Pfizer Hellas is the Greek subsidiary of the well known international pharmaceutical company.

The company appointed J&P AVAX to construct its new headquarters in Mesogeion Avenue.

The building consists of 5 floors and 2 underground levels, that cover a total 2.600 sq.m surface area. Modern materials were used for the construction of the complex, such as polished and burned granite and Californian marbles.

The building includes an atrium with a triangular glass roof 72m long that ensure natural lighting in the internal spaces. There exists also a 70 seats amphitheater in the ground floor as a continuation of the building.

source:
http://www.jp-avax.gr
http://www.pfizer.gr

Folli - Follie Headquarters - [Athens]

2007-04-05T10:19:00.000+02:00

The very dynamic jewelery company Folli - Follie has moved to its new administration buildings during 2002. The complex covers a total area of 11.000 sq.m.

The architectural office behind the project is Kokkinou Kourkoulas.

Source:
http://www.kokkinoukourkoulas.com/folie.html

Bank of Cyprus - [Athens]

2007-04-04T19:08:00.000+02:00

The headquarters of the Bank of Cyprus in Athens next to Alexandras avenue. The architectural lighting of the building comes from the Diathlasis team.

source:
http://www.diathlasis.gr/Projects.cfm?ID=43

Retail & Office Building - [Athens]

2007-04-04T18:35:00.000+02:00

This new building has a total area of 8.300 sq.m. in Piraeus avenue, Moschato.

It is designed by MRA architects

Source:
http://www.mra.gr/05157.htm

Hellenic Petroleum Headquarters - [Athens]

2007-04-04T17:55:00.000+02:00

The new Headquarters of Hellenic Petroleum (the largest oil refining company in Greece) lies on the national road from Athens to Corinth. Τhe selection of this position was done in order for the building to be close to the facilities of the company

The building has a surface of 9.800 sq.m. (without including 3.800 sq.m. of underground area). It has the shape of an orthogonal triangle with the hypotenuse lying in the side of the national road. The triangular shape of the building is adapted to the available shape, giving him a special identity in comparison with the rectangular and cylindrical buildings of the rest facilities. It grows vertically up to 11 meters which is the maximum limit of construction for this area.

The exterior of the building resembles a triangular prism. The interior, by subtracting trapezoid volumes, has the final functional form which is developed around an axis in parallel with the large vertical side of the triangle. Along this axis is placed the main corridor of the building that exists in every level from which the different wings are placed. Between the wings exist open atria, and the wings themselves contain closed atria. So the closed office spaces are developed around open atria, while the open office spaces toward closed atria, so that their natural lighting comes from the glass facade of the ceiling of the closed atria.

The flooring of the corridors is constructed with glass-bricks that allow the penetration of natural light until the ground floor.

The architectural office behind the building is MELETITIKI of the master Greek architect A.N. Tombazis.

Study: 1994 - 1995
Construction: 1996 - 1999

Sources:
http://www.meletitiki.gr/29/article/greek/29/44/index.html

Glaxo-Wellcome headquarters - [Athens]

2007-04-04T10:41:00.000+02:00

The late modern building that houses the headquarters of the pharmaceutical company Glaxo-Wellcome is an unconventional work of prestige architecture built by private business initiative. It was designed with particular expressive and symbolic demands by architects G. Apostolakos, T. Exarchopoulos and K. Kyriakidis to project the dynamism of this multinational corporation.

The building has a total area of 4000 sq.m. and consists of four floors of office and administration areas, a ground floor and basement with auxiliary areas and parking facilities. In addition to the entrance, the basement houses the snack bar next to which is an independent amphitheatre building.

On plan the building is L-shaped and its office areas are organised in two wings, while the public areas and the vertical circulation nodule are at the intersection of the two wings.

The curtain on the front of the building, placed at a 60o angle in front of the main access, supplements the volume by unifying the two wings and giving the building the form of a triangular prism. At the same time a triangular atrium is created inside the building, which ensures the visual continuity of interior and exterior space. The materials used are blue granite, curtain walls, visible concrete and metal.

Architects
Giorgos Apostolakos (1955-)
Takis Exarchopoulos (1944-)
Kyriakos Kyriakidis (1937-)

sources:
http://www.terna.gr/dyn.php?main_cell=article&sid=241
http://www.culture2000.tee.gr
http://www.exarchopoulos.gr/english/projects.htm

Interbalkan Medical Center - [Thessaloniki]

2007-04-03T11:11:00.000+02:00

Interbalkan Medical Center (Ιατρικό Διαβαλκανικό Κέντρο) is a private hospital bsed in Thessaloniki Greece. The hospital became operational during 2000 and was founded by the greek businessman Giorgos Apostolopoulos. It now belongs to the Medical Group of Athens.

It has been characterized as the most advanced hospital in Europe by the Medical School of Imperial College. The hospital is one of the largest investments in Northern Greece reaching 90.000.000 € in capital expenses and providing 1200 permanent jobs.

The building covers a total area of 52.000 sq.m. and has 350 hospital beds.

Sources:
http://www.iatriko.gr

New Archaeological Museum - [Patras]

2007-03-28T17:49:00.002+02:00

The new archaeological museum in the city of Patras will cost 16.000.000€ and will cover an area of 8.000 sq.m.. The construction was supposed to finish by 2006, in order to serve Patras as cultural capital of Europe for the same year, but the date of completion has shifted almost a year.

The building is characterized by its-nonuniform volumes and the large titanium dome in its entrance, that will lie on a water surface. The exhibition areas will cover 3.500 sq.m.

The size of the new museum will give the chance to exhibit for the first time, many of the archaeological treasures of the Achaia perfecture, like amazing mosaics of the Roman era, but many other artifacts as well, which the old museum in the city center couldn't handle. One striking feature o the new museum is the aerial corridor that will quickly tour the visitors that don't wish to devote too much time.

The visitors will have the chance to choose among two different paths inside the museum, either the classical, among the exhibits or using the aerial corridor that will offer a different perspective.

There will be three major parts, in equal number of halls, that will concern public and private life, as well the necropolis, as well complete sets of houses, atriums, aqueducts with mosaics up to the roman age.

The museum was designed by the prolific architect Mr. Theofanis Bobotis and is one of the most spectacular of his works.

View Larger Map

Click Here for Bird's eye view

Sources:
http://www.bobotis.gr/

*
I would like to thank PAVEL_13 from stadia.gr, for the last 3 photos. PAVEL retains all the copyrights over the images.

Technopolis - [Herakleion]

2007-02-23T14:34:00.000+01:00

Technopolis is the largest complex of its kind to ever be built in Crete. It is located in Ammoudara, a coastal suburb of Heraklion , the island’s largest city. The 7000sq.mcomplex comprises of five cinemas, an outdoor theater, the ‘Piazza’ bar/cafeteria, the ‘Food & Grill’ restaurant, two bars, an internet café, shops and a kiosk.

The design development was guided by the fact that the existing structure was a group of separate buildings, and it was felt that these needed to somehow be unified. Additionally the design of the complex had to be considered on a long, narrow site linking the main road and the sea-side.

The key design concept was therefore to create a characteristic outdoor element linking the various spaces, guiding visitors through the complex, from the entrance, to the courtyards, to the outdoor theatre overlooking the sea.

In the interiors materials were used to continue directed movement, guiding the visitor through space and connecting spaces. In the main lobby of the building this was achieved through the use of organic, veneered wood, taking the shape of wave-like strips starting at the entrance of the lobby and continuing around to the popcorn bar.

The architects are the recently famous anamorphosis team.

Sources:
-------------------
http://www.anamorphosis-architects.com/projects/technopolis/technopolis_project.html
http://www.texnopolispark.gr/

Eugenides Foundation Planetarium - [Athens]

2007-02-19T17:55:00.000+01:00

The new Athens Planetarium is the proud offspring of the Eugenides Foundation, and the successor of the old Planetarium (the first in Greece, built around 1966). The building was delivered in the end of 2003, and at this time it was considered to have the most advanced equipment all over the world.

The central dome of the building has a diameter of 25 m and a total surface of 950 sq.m.
The planetarium has 280 seats equipped with interactive controls. The total area of the auditorium is 1450 sq.m. There are 3.000 shows and an amazing number of 600.000 visitors every year.

The equipment of the planetarium is quite impressive:
-6.1 Surround Sound
-40.000 Watt through 44 sound boxes in7 clusters
-2 Virtual Reality Emulators (3D SkyVision)
-1 Astral Projector (Digital Sky)
-12 video projectors for the emulators
-3 video projector of special effects
-3 pan-tilt platforms
-48 projectors of special effects
-Special Moon-Sun-Planet video projectors
-Laser krypton
-11.700 LEDs

The final phase of the construction was assigned to J&P Avax

Sources:
http://www.eugenfound.edu.gr
http://www.jp-avax.gr/Default.aspx?cat=3⊂=40&sub2=79&ItemID=243

Alfa Alfa Holdings Headquarters - [Athens]

2007-01-30T16:21:00.000+01:00

Alfa - Alfa Holdings is a Greek company involved in construction, energy and services.

The new headquarters of the company were designed by AETER architectural office and was awarded a prize in the competition for Mediterranean architecture "Archittera" for the aluminum facades and the bioclimatic character of the building.

The building complex consists of two main volumes. Between them there is an internal square that connects the city with the business place. Τhe glass facades are constructed independently and form a double cell creating a neutral zone that helps the thermal insulation of the offices and of the square.

Sources:
http://www.aaholdings.gr
http://www.aeter.gr
http://www.aluminium.gr/pdf/07-2004/162.pdf

Thessaloniki Concert Hall - [Thessaloniki]

2007-01-15T21:22:00.000+01:00

The Concert Hall of Thessaloniki, is built along the coast of the city, near the Poseidwnion Sports Center, in an area of 18.000 sq.m.

The total length of the building is 108m, while the width is 45m and the highest point reaches 26.5m. The covered area is 5.090 sq.m. and the total area of the building is 26.600 sq.m. on 9 floors. The total cost of the complex was 14.100.000.000 drachmas (41 mil €).

The style of the building is a reference to the architectural culture of Thessaloniki. It comprises memories of its byzantine past and European character. There are also plans for the construction of a second smaller building, suitable for a museum of music, smaller concerts and conferences.

The main hall has 1464 seats and is suitable for concerts, ballet, theater, opera and several other cultural activities.

The Concert Hall started its operations during the May of 2001.

Sources:
http://www.tch.gr/

Athens Concert Hall - [Athens]

2007-01-15T21:08:00.000+01:00

The Athens Concert Hall, which was completed after 37 years of effort, is the foremost event in the musical history of the country. Its value as a building is considerably less, as despite its luxury and advanced technology, it is not an inspired building.

The main reason is something, that has to do with the Greek society, and that is the downgraded role of architects in the design and supervision of public buildings. The name of the architect is not viewed as a main part of the identity of the building. For those reasons the architect is most usually not known. The Athens Concert Hall, (or the Megaron, as the Greeks call it), is not an exception to this rule.

The effort to build this Hall started in 1954 on the initiative of the famous mezzo-soprano Alexandra Trianti and with the financial support of the politician L. Eftaxias. Its foundation, designed by architect Emmanuel Vourekas, was laid in 1976 and the construction works, which were financed by the "Friends of Music" society, ceased in 1979 when the concrete frame was completed. The work continued later with state funding and with the support of the Minister of Culture Melina Mercouri. The final phase was completed in 1987-91 on the initiative of the art-loving publisher Christos Lambrakis and contributions from many sponsors.

The luxury of its interiors and its high-tech equipment are the most characteristic features of the building. It has two concert halls, a large one with a capacity of 2000 spectators and the small one with a capacity of 500. The large hall, initially designed for symphony concerts, was redesigned to make it adaptable to other performances, such as opera, theatre productions and conference events. It is built of movable wood-panelled vertical sections which, when withdrawn, can increase the stage area, according to the demands of each performance. The large hall is equipped with sophisticated audio-visual systems and is famed for its flawless acoustics.

The small hall in the basement has similar features and audio-visual perfection. The foyer of the large hall is two storeys high, and in the basement there is a luxury restaurant and a shop that sells recorded music and books. The Athens Concert Hall also houses a music library, musical research centre, administration and office areas, dressing rooms and many auxiliary areas.
The rectangular volume of the building, the colonnade on the façade with its heavy twin piers, the sheeting of the exterior with white Pentelic marble and the large windows express the effort to reinterpret neoclassical models by using modern means of expression.

Sources:
http://www.megaron.gr
http://www.in.gr/megaro/civilisation/meg01.htm#
http://www.kathimerini.gr/4dcgi/_w_articles_kathglobal_2_02/11/2003_1281108
http://www.culture2000.tee.gr/ATHENS/ENGLISH/BUILDINGS/BUILD_TEXTS/B59_t.html

"Office Building Complex" - Kifissia - [Athens]

2007-01-15T20:30:00.000+01:00

This building complex is an impressive synthesis by architects Vassilis Baskozos and Dimitra Tsangaraki, designed in a mildly deconstructive spirit. The 3 storey complex consists of three buildings that create 2 main volumes. Those were placed in the perimeter of the building block and a square was created in the center.

The two architects made inventive use of the triangular shape of the lot to erect three buildings one of which was intended to house the construction company that owned it, and the other two for commercial exploitation, with the capability of functioning either separately or as a whole.

On plan, the buildings are organized on a grid that permits flexibility in the positioning of the interior divisions. The faces are treated with the use of large glass panels and metallic shading structures in various forms on the east and south side, while the west side is solid bare concrete with fewer openings.

Owing to the bright colours and the combination of curved and straight features, this office complex has a remarkable plasticity.

The building complex offers beautiful views during the night.

Sources:
http://www.mobarchitects.gr/
http://www.culture2000.tee.gr/ATHENS/ENGLISH/BUILDINGS/BUILD_TEXTS/B69_t.html

Alpha Bank Administration Building - [Athens]

2007-01-15T16:44:00.000+01:00

The postmodern administration building of the Alpha Credit Bank (now called the Alpha Bank) constitutes an architectural milestone in the heart of Athens. The while marble-faced elevations and the classicising line, the two-storey arcade and elegant proportions renewed the urban architectural tradition of the Greek capital, harmonising elements of Italian neo-rationalism with the mild character of Athenian neo-classicism. This monumental building expresses the prestige of the pioneering bank that owns it and blends harmoniously into its historic environment.

The study was assigned to architect Nicos Valsamakis after he had received first prize in a competition by invitation in 1978. It was drawn up early in the 1980s, with the collaboration of the Bank’s architect Kostas Manouilidis, and built in two stages between 1985 and 1991.
The distribution of functions between the floors is as follows: The main public areas are laid out on four levels, on the first basement and three overlying floors, around an atrium with a glass ceiling which looks out over the outdoor area.

The layout permits both the visual unification of the three levels as well as their natural lighting. The administrative functions are housed on the other six floors, i.e. between the fourth and the ninth, in what are usually unified areas divided by light mobile partitions and furnishings. The safety deposit boxes are in the fourth basement and in the other two basements are the electrical and mechanical installations, storerooms and archives.

Sources:
http://www.culture2000.tee.gr/ATHENS/ENGLISH/BUILDINGS/BUILD_TEXTS/B161_t.html

"National Bank of Greece" Headquarters - [Athens]

2007-01-15T16:24:00.000+01:00

The National Bank of Greece (NBG) administration building is among the most ambitious prestige structures to be built in Athens at the dawn of the 21st century. Located in the historic centre of Athens with its strong neoclassical memories, the building occupies the corner of a significant block which includes heritage structures such as the neoclassical NBG building and the academic Athens Stock Exchange. Opposite are the eclectic Melas Building (1887, E. Ziller architect), which has been converted into the NBG’s cultural centre, and the classical modern building of the Commercial Bank of Greece.

The transparency theme led also to the creation of a grand interior void in order to accentuate the public character of the building and spatial readability.

Important findings of classical antiquity on site, registered buildings surrounding it on all sides, a complex brief and tight time-limits made this a rather demanding architectural problem. On January 1999 archaeological findings on site were re-evaluated. The original project was changed to accommodate for high transparency on the ground level to make ancient Acharniki Street visible as it crosses on the longitudinal axis the building towards Kotzia Square .

he building, with the perspective of Acropolis at the end of Eolou street , completes the corner of an important building block of the historic centre of Athens . It comprises of a basic volume, parts of which are subtracted in such a way as to maintain the readability of the primary volume. Its main elevation on Eolou street is in dialogue with the neighboring neoclassical Main Building , while the other two elevations are treated as secondary.

The building accommodates the significant activities of the Bank administration, and has a total area of 6500m2. On the first and second floor is the general assembly hall with a capacity of 400 persons, fully equipped with the most advanced audiovisual system. On the third floor are the offices of the bank’s vice-governors, and on the fourth the offices of the advisers to the vice-governors. The fifth floor houses the dining room for the Bank’s senior executives as well as areas for the library, lounge and guest quarters. On the four underground levels there are areas for parking, the machine room and storage.

Great weight has been given to the chromatic combination of the luxurious materials on the building: the exterior and interior wall facings of sand-coloured poros stone, black unpolished granite on the floors and light-coloured wood panelling on ceilings and walls. The poros stone on the façades is divided into horizontal zones that will, according to the play of light and shadow, be more or less visible.

The design by architects E. Sakellaridou, M. Papanikolaou, and M. Pollani, who had a consultant the famous Swiss-Italian architect Mario Botta, received first prize in an open architectural competition.

Sources:
http://www.culture2000.tee.gr/ATHENS/ENGLISH/BUILDINGS/BUILD_TEXTS/B168_t.html
http://www.botta.ch/Page/Pu%202001_350_BNG_en.php

"AVAX S.A." Headquarters - [Athens]

2007-01-15T14:55:00.000+01:00

The office building of the construction company AVAX S.A. is one of the most sophisticated applications of Bio-climatic design principles in Athens. With the implementation of these principles, the architects sought to cover the building’s energy needs, to create a comfortable environment for its users, and to express the dynamism of the construction company.

It is situated in the center of Athens on the east-facing slope of Lycabettus hill. It comprises of three basement levels, ground floor and five levels above ground with a total of 2,950m2.

The forefront is dominated by 5 concrete columns with a height of 16 meters, that characterize the structure of the building along with the sunshades. Those are vertical glass draperies, with a shadow index of 70%. The draperies are controlled by the central system of energy management so as to rotate autonomously, according to temperature and light radiation.

All the main spaces are along the glass facade and are separated by the secondary ones with a traffic zone. Furthermore, inside the building there are openings, for natural ventilation. In the underground floor there are ice-buckets, that store "cooling" energy out of rush hours. The total consumption of energy is approximately 50% of a conventional building.

The building was finished in 1998, with a total construction cost of 1.200.000.000 drachmas (3.5 million €). The architect is the legendary Alexandros Tombazis.

Sources:
http://www.meletitiki.gr/39/article/english/39/85/index.html
http://www.culture2000.tee.gr/ATHENS/ENGLISH/main2.html
http://www.cres.gr/energy-saving/efarmoges_abax.htm
http://www.avax.com.gr/Greekpages/projects/avax.htm

Foundation for Biomedical Research - [Athens]

2007-01-12T14:44:00.000+01:00

IIBEA - Ίδρυμα ΙατροΒιολογικών Ερευνών Ακαδημίας Αθηνών

Foundation for Biomedical Research of the Athens Academy

The foundation conducts research in the main areas of Biology and Medicine at the molecular, biochemical and cellular level.

Located in the center of Athens, IIBEAA's building facilities cover a surface of 25.000 square meters, built on an area of 19.000 sq.m. provided by the University of Athens.

The building consists of the following units:

Section 1: Center for Clinical Research
Section 2: Basic Research Centre
Section 3: Administration and Library Tower
Section 4: Academy of Athens Services
Section 5: Underground Parking Lot

The central square is designed to be the reference point of the building complex. In order to implement this, appropriate lines were drawn that interconnect the different sections, archways, green sectors and a water element that reflects the administration department.

Vehicles are moving circumferentially and with platforms of vertical movement.

The building is constructed using reinforced concrete and the facade consists of visible concrete, white marble and rigid aluminum.

The architect is A.M. Kotsiopoulos, a professor of architecture in the University of Thessaloniki, famous for designing a vast number of Greek Universities and public buildings. The total construction cost was 15.000.000 €. Τhe construction started at 1997 and ended at 2002.

Sources:
www.bioacademy.gr
http://www.aegek.gr/gre/projects38.html

Technology museum - [Thessaloniki]

2006-12-13T16:21:00.000+01:00

Thessaloniki Science Center & Technology Museum is an organization that promotes the popularization of science. It was founded back in 1978. The new building was finished during the end of 2004. The building complex covers an area of 14.000 sq.m. in the region of Thermi, near Thessaloniki. The construction budget was 29.000.000€.

The new building of the Technological Museum was constructed on land granted by the municipality of Thermi with a total area of 48.000 sq.m.

The complex consists of:

Technology museum: Contains exhibitions about the history of science and technology. The museum hosts a reproduction of the ancient "Antikythera" computing mechanism that has been dated to about 80 B.C.

Planetarium: A Hemispherical screen with a diameter of 18m and 150 seats.

Cosmotheater: A widescreen cinema (17m x 23m) with 300 seats.

Virtual Reality Machine: A room with 18 seats with 3D images and movement

The architectural conception and design was by "Tzonos - Hoipel & Hoipel"

Official page:
http://www.tmth.edu.gr/

CEDEFOP - [Thessaloniki]

2006-12-12T19:57:00.000+01:00

Cedefop – the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, established in 1975, is a European agency that helps promote and develop vocational education and training in the European Union (EU). Originally based in Berlin, Cedefop was one of the first specialised and decentralised agencies set up. In 1995, Cedefop’s head office was transferred to Thessaloniki, while it operates a liaison office in Brussels.

Cedefop works to promote a European area of lifelong learning throughout an enlarged EU. It does this by providing information on and analyses of vocational education and training systems, policies, research and practice.

Cedefop presents its information in electronic and printed media and also brings people together through the study visits, conferences and seminars it organises.

The CEDEFOP building in Thessaloniki is a 4 storey complex, with a basement covering a total area of about 9.500 sq.m.

The owner is the "Hellenic Employment Organization" and the architect is the lately famous Theofanis Bobotis. The construction cost was: 4.200.000€.

sources:
http://www.marneris.gr
http://www.cedefop.europa.eu

"Air Force Academy" - [Athens]

2006-12-12T19:27:00.000+01:00

The Greek Air Force Academy has commissioned Meta - Architects for constructing a new Library and an Auditorium (Amphitheater) for its "Tatoi" campus.

The total area of the buildings is 6.000 sq.m and the project budget was 4.000.000€. The structural system of the buildings is comprised of concrete walls and columns which support steel trusses that in some cases extend beyond the concrete elements. The facades are insulated metal panels and double glazed windows supported on steel frame structure. The roof consists of corrugated insulated metal panels.

The Amphitheater occupies a total space of 3500 sqm. The main auditorium represents 1400 sqm of the total, the Reception Hall 1000 sqm, the Lecture Halls 800 sqm and the auxiliary spaces 300 sqm.

The Library occupies a space of 2500 sqm. This is broken down into the reading space of 800 sqm, the stacks of 1000 sqm, the administration and receiving space of 500 sqm and the supplementary spaces 200 sqm.

You can watch the construction progress here:
http://www.meta-arch.gr/pages/pubworks/set_en.htm

Semiramis Hotel - [Athens]

2006-12-12T19:07:00.000+01:00

The Semiramis Boutique Hotel is situated in the heart of the green and rich suburb of Kifissia.

The famous industrial designer Karim Rashid was commissioned by Dakis Joannou to design and create Athens' first visionary design hotel. Rashid's design philosophy stems from a refusal to accept the day-to-day environment.

Semiramis consists of 52 rooms: 42 balcony rooms with pool or park view, 6 poolside bungalows, 3 penthouse studios, 1 semiramis penthouse suite. All rooms feature in-room cable TV, DVD and CD supported by built-in sound system, portable phones, high-speed internet access, air conditioning, multi-bar, and safe box.

Pool bungalows are built independently from the main building and have easy access to the pool and their own private garden. In-room facilities include rotating 42-inch plasma televisions with stereo sound, cordless headphones, and remote-controlled utilities such as hvac, curtain control, 2.4 GHz cordless phones, and digital locks.

As another unusual touch, visitors may, by pressing a button, scroll messages on their doors such as 'privacy' or 'please make up my room'.There is also video projection, holopro glass technology, dot matrix LEDs and other digital projection media throughout the hotel.

The Semiramis offers a meeting room of 150 square meters with glass facades

"Hotels today make you feel like you're living in the previous century. That's the last thing I want to do." - Karim Rashid

Official site:
http://www.semiramisathens.com

THOLOS "Virtual Theater" - [Athens]

2006-12-05T15:11:00.000+01:00

Tholos is a hemispherical "virtual reality" theater in the installations of "Hellenic Cosmos", the thematic park of IME (Ίδρυμα Μείζωνος Ελληνισμού - Foundation of the Hellenic World).

It has 132 seats and a total surface of 2.300 sq.m. , the construction works lasted for 3 years and it will fully operate from 2007.

The spectators can walk in the ancient "Agora", the street of "Panathinaia", the temple of Hphaistos and many other ancient monuments.

12 different projectors are used and 42 CPU's with 48GB of memory.

The spectator can choose in which direction to move using stereoscopic glasses and a navigation system next to his seat.

The president of the Hellenic Democracy inaugurated the new building (4.Dec.2006).
The responsible architect is George Andreadis.

sources:
http://www.in.gr/news/article.asp?lngEntityID=760279
http://www.tholos254.gr/gr/index.html
http://www.adis.gr

Bennigan's - [Thessaloniki]

2006-11-27T15:32:00.000+01:00

Bennigan's Opens Resort-Style Restaurant in Thessaloniki, Greece

Bennigan's Grill and Tavern has broken the mold with its latest international restaurant opening in Thessaloniki, Greece. The 11,000 square-foot beachfront restaurant is a first of its kind for the casual dining chain.

“This is a completely new venture for Bennigan's, said Vince Runco, president of worldwide franchising and executive vice president for Metromedia Casual Dining, which oversees the Bennigan's concept. “The restaurant appeals to local residents as well as vacationers with its resort-style atmosphere and casual dining feel.

The restaurant overlooks the Aegean Sea and features an outside pool with a swim up bar, a walk up bar, volleyball courts, children's play area and seating for 400 guests. The restaurant's interior caters to the city's lively nightlife with a club-style bar, couches and multiple televisions. The concept was developed by franchisee Crown Resorts and is the group's third Bennigan's location.

This restaurant marks Bennigan's 51st international location and the company plans to continue expanding overseas.

S-MALL - [Trikala]

2006-11-24T21:24:00.000+01:00

A new commercial mall in the city of Trikala

OLD City - [Volos]

2006-11-13T12:19:00.000+01:00

A new shopping area is going to be created in the city of Volos, in central Greece. The goal of the developers is to create a place where small shops can collaborate in order to survive, so as to achieve better prices, largest space and variety, and of course easiness.

The building Complex is centrally located and consists of the old factory of "Germanikou" which is going to be renovated, as it is declared a "listed building". OLD City is going to be created in 15.000 sq.m. and will have 12.500 of covered space.

There will be five buildings in total:

A: 400 sq.m. ground floor (200 x 2 for a bank and a restaurant)
B: 1000 sq.m. ground floor (28 stands for clothing and apparel)
Γ: 2250 sq.m. ground floor (84 stands for food and vegetables)
Δ: 1500 sq.m. ground floor (39 stands for a variety of shops)
Δa: 1500 sq.m first floor (34 stands for services)
E: 3.600 sq.m ground floor (61 stands for a variety of shops)

Sources:
http://www.oldcity.gr

Citylink - [Athens]

2006-11-05T23:31:00.000+01:00

Citylink is the biggest retail store in the Balkans. It is owned by Piraeus Bank.

The historical building stands between two subway stations and close to three large hotels ("Grande Bretagne", "King George II", "Athens Plaza"), the Parliament, the National Garden, opposite splendid architectural creations, the Library, the Catholic Church and the University. Citylink has a total area of 65.000 sq.m..

Citylink - an investment over 250 mil Euros - will host the "ATTICA", a department store for famous brands, restaurants, health & fitness club and the two renovated theaters, "Pallas" and "Aliki".

Sources:
http://www.atticadps.gr/TheBuilding

Links:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=206665

"Ethniki Asfalistiki" Headquarters - [Athens]

2006-11-05T23:21:00.000+01:00

The new headquarters of "Ethniki Asfalistiki" (Εθνική Ασφαλιστική), a mainstream greek insurance company

It is an eponymous architectural work, bearing the signature of Mario Botta. The complex consists of two buildings. The first one is used completely by "Ethniki Asfalistiki", with a total area of 30.000 sq.m. while the second one (4.500 sq.m) will be rented. According to the rumors, "Ethniki Asfalistiki" is asking for 23E/sq.m. which is considered exceptionally high for the standards of the local market. It has to be mentioned that "Ethniki Asfalistiki" is releasing 19.000 sq.m. of office space.

The construction phase was between 2004-2006. The whole group of architects is Mario Botta, along with Irena Sakellaridou and Morfo Papanikolaou, the same group that has deisgned the new headquarters of the National Bank of Greece

Sources:
www.botta.ch

Museum of the Hellenic World - [Athens]

2006-11-05T23:05:00.000+01:00

The design proposal focuses on the concept of a museum of history - not original historical exhibits. The design principle is based on the spatio-psychoanalytic concept of lack (deeply routed in Greek culture) as a critique against the notions of 'collection'/ 'acquisition'. Both as sense of loss of original pieces as well as creative spatial process, lack, led to the formulation of a new museological approach integrating exhibition and builiding into one. Spatiality is conceived, psychoanalytically, as the mode of history, and highlighted both as the major diachronic documentation of Greek civilisation (recurring, homeomorphing, collocating) and the main concept of the building: a spatial monument as opposed to a symbolic memorial.

The proposed continuous strip, self-evolving across the building, produces homeomorphic curved schemes in three distinct, spatial gestures/installations: a) the amphitheatre introducing Classical Antiquity, b) the dome introducing Byzantium, c) the sheltering cell introducing Modern times (17th - early 20th century), covering the overall museum space. Accordingly, three distinct lighting treatments are proposed: a) bright daylight, small sharp shadows, b) indirect, ambient, no shadows, c) cinematic side-lighting, long shadows. Yet, the strip surface employs a gradient synthesis of materials and construction techniques - varying from: a) tectonic, marble, stone, b) cast material, c) timber, glass and metal structures. Client: Foundation of Hellenic World, Athens. Total exhibition space: 6000 sq.m

The building includes an exhibition area, and a Virtual Reality Cave (370 sq.m). It is located on Piraeus Street. It also includes 3250 sq. m of parking space, auxiliary spaces of 1550 sq.m and and visitor's service space of 1000 sq.m

Source:
http://www.anamorphosis-architects.com/projects/ime/project_IME.html

House of Letters and Arts - [Athens]

2006-11-05T22:43:00.000+01:00

On 25th January 2002 an agreement was entered into with "ARCHITECTURE STUDIO", an architecture office registered in Paris to draw a conceptual design of a cultural centre called “The House of Letters and Arts”, following an international call to prospective tenderers for the conceptual design of the Project.

The Project was launched in Autumn 2002 and it is expected to cost approximately € 50 million in addition to the cost of the land.

The height of the building will be 27m. with a total area of 18,000 sq.m., consisting of the following:

A large amphitheatre with seats for approximately 1,000 spectators and a stage for a symphonic orchestra, theatrical performances, opera, dance, cinema, lectures, conferences of high standards, etc.

One hall with 300 seats for smaller musical, theatrical or dance performances, lectures, special audiovisual projections (multimedia, virtual reality), conferences of high standards, etc.

A 1,000 sq.m floor approximately for art exhibitions

An electronic library

A professional recording studio

A restaurant with an open-air area for cultural events able to seat 200 people approximately

Auxiliary rooms and reception halls

Underground storeroom and garages for the users

Source:
http://www.architecture-studio.fr/
http://www.onassis.gr/greek/cultural/index.php