Architectural Research Center

Cyprus

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Architectural Research Center

Cyprus

Firm

YIORGOS HADJICHRISTOU ARCHITECTS

Type

Educational › University

YEAR

2011

SIZE

100,000 sqft - 300,000 sqft

The University of Nicosia decided to accommodate the
Architecture Department- ARC Architecture Research Center in an existing shoe
factory of the adjacent Engomi industrial area. The choice was part of the
strategy of the University to expand the campus in the neighboring industrial
zone, a vital decision for the regeneration of the area!
The
needs of the architecture department, the restrictions of the existing concrete
structure and the low budget defined the approach of the design, which was
thoroughly filtered by the weight of the
responsibility for the identity of the ‘Architecture Research Center’: this is
the sixth year that the Architecture Programme has been running in the
Architecture Department of the University of Nicosia and it already claims to
be very of high quality, very
Progressive, Experimental with critical thinking approach.

The conversion of the building should respond to the
increased needs of the ARC which demanded various sizes of studio spaces,
meeting-lecture-exhibition spaces, workshop, offices, computer labs, cafeteria
etc. These requirements led us to organize a very flexible interior space: the industrial,
high ceiling space may finally keep its original, completely open plan
character or may be divided up to a variety of studios, amphitheater, lecture
and exhibition spaces when it is needed through the sliding dividing panels. The
arrangement of the panels can provide each time different and diverse spatial
conditions, while they serve as well for the acoustic needs and as surfaces for
the pin ups of the students work during reviews and exhibitions.
The central amphitheatrical part serves as a lecture,
exhibition and event space, while it may be the main recreational, resting area
during various hours of the day. It leads to the roof of the building from where
winter sunlight may enter the central part of the building, while it can be
used as an organic link to the future vertical extension of the ARC.
The 2 floors of the northern existing part of the
building accommodate the entrance with the reception’s ‘box’, the cafetreria
that ensures the everyday warm welcoming and the livelihood of the front area
of the building, the offices , the computer lab. The vertical communications
are organized in the north extension of the building.
The envelope of the building is treated with
polycarbonate panels in various soft coulour tones which transmit a controlled,
pleasant light condition in the interior of the building. It is planned to be accomplished in the near future with a shading proposal
with mesh and climbing vegetation