Koilon
Spaces
Redesigning the entrance of a mixed-use building (residences, offices), providing ample cultural, recreational, and educational space for the residents and the community as well.
Spaces
Redesigning the entrance of a mixed-use building (residences, offices), providing ample cultural, recreational, and educational space for the residents and the community as well.
Undisclosed Client
Size: 290 m2
Year: 2025
Typology: Residential, Landscape, Refurbishment, Green Design
Services: Research, Concept, Design
Size: 290 m2
Year: 2025
Typology: Residential, Landscape, Refurbishment, Green Design
Services: Research, Concept, Design
The project is part of a greater renovation proposal for the buildings in the lot, by upgrading the envelopes (painting, insulating, replacing openings), redesigning the lighting, heating and cooling systems and features (placing solar panels, LED lighting, water ponds and fountains, thermal curtains, overhangs), purifying the air inside/ outside (living walls, local plants), reducing water usage (harvesting and reusing rainwater and greywater through a system of gutters and underground drainages), and creating relaxing and informative green spaces for the community, educating about compost, recycle, and the environment. Reclaimed or reused, prefabricated and local materials are preferred, and of course environmental friendly characteristics.
In this study the setback of the building creates an opportunity for designing a welcoming, peaceful space for the community. Inspired by ancient theaters’ approach, the area is formed with kerkides (seats), orchestra, skene (stage)/ paraskenia (wings) adjustable with thermal curtains, and a retaining pre-cast concrete wall highlighting the gate to the garden for residents and visitors.
In this study the setback of the building creates an opportunity for designing a welcoming, peaceful space for the community. Inspired by ancient theaters’ approach, the area is formed with kerkides (seats), orchestra, skene (stage)/ paraskenia (wings) adjustable with thermal curtains, and a retaining pre-cast concrete wall highlighting the gate to the garden for residents and visitors.
The gate, a Corten steel canopy invites the passers-by inside to relax, meditate, or read a book surrounded by the natural sounds of water, foliage, nesting birds and bees (local flora and fauna).
The entrance to the building, a passage to another mystic world, also consists of a Corten steel door with similar canopy, and adjustable/ operable glass openings. The glass panes are fitted with an unobtrusive bird-friendly film. Behind this structure are curtains with appropriate railings able to create more secluded spaces, for cultural or recreational purposes.
The entrance to the building, a passage to another mystic world, also consists of a Corten steel door with similar canopy, and adjustable/ operable glass openings. The glass panes are fitted with an unobtrusive bird-friendly film. Behind this structure are curtains with appropriate railings able to create more secluded spaces, for cultural or recreational purposes.
This space of 290m2 with private and semi-private areas presents green, water, and sculptural features both in the interior and the exterior. Stone benches, flora motifs, and geometrical fountains accentuate the mystic atmosphere.
The upper two levels of the “kerkides” are dedicated to compost, and they are special designed for the purpose. The mulch is used for the communal garden/ green space on the rest of the mound morphed by the cast concrete wedge-shaped seatings (kerkides) and the grasses. Moreover, underneath is placed a garbage/ recycle station, enabling the easy disposal and pick-up of contents.
Along with the pre-cast concrete walls and Corten gates, reclaimed stones are decorating the floor, benches, and walls. Discrete LED lighting is provided to emphasize the design elements and ensure the well-being of all.
A soil living wall is created on the west side regulating the temperature and promoting bio-diversity. The east wall accommodates the bike storage system, and above that maintains free for sculptural/ artistic installations, or even film projections. The wall-bike storage provides a secure space for bike-owners and encourages for more green ways of commute.
Along with the pre-cast concrete walls and Corten gates, reclaimed stones are decorating the floor, benches, and walls. Discrete LED lighting is provided to emphasize the design elements and ensure the well-being of all.
A soil living wall is created on the west side regulating the temperature and promoting bio-diversity. The east wall accommodates the bike storage system, and above that maintains free for sculptural/ artistic installations, or even film projections. The wall-bike storage provides a secure space for bike-owners and encourages for more green ways of commute.
A system of gutters along the walls harvests the rainwater, and the permeable ground collects the runoff water in tanks under the “kerkides”. The grey-water is also collected there and after being treated through a system of drainage pipes, tanks, filters and pumps, is reused with the rainwater for watering purposes of the green features, and for supplying the water fountains/ ponds. The installation under the mound is operable/ serviceable from the top and sides.
