HONORABLE MENTION AT ARCHITECTURE COMPETITION OF KYPSELI'S NEW METRO STATION IN ATHENS

Organizing Authority: Athens Renovation S.A.
Award: Honorable mention
Architectural design: Ioannis Panagiotou, Elena Kanaki, Anastasios Balatsoukas
Urban planner: Eva Gatouna
Landscape architect: Kelly Papaioannou
Transportation -Civil engineer: Georgios Brisimis
Civil engineer: Paris Ziogas
Electrical engineer: Dimitris Tsantilas
Civil engineer for plumbing works: Ioannis Kontos
Location: Kypseli Square, Athens, Greece

The proposal is faced with three main axes: The improvement of the microclimate of the area, the integration into its cultural and historical environment, and finally the upgrading of the urban common space of the station into a public space with supra-local importance for the center of Athens.

Fluidity was a dominant element in the development of the central idea and the synthetic proposal. The starting point of inspiration was the uninterrupted flow – alternation of refugees and immigrants of various ethnicities, in the area of Kypseli for the last years. This cultural and social osmosis with the continuous human flows determines the basic synthetic decisions of the proposal.

These are summarized in the configuration of the two levels of the square "the green" and "the urban" that "diffuse – flow" to each other and complement each other. The design is dominated by the development of clear geometric shapes and variants thereof. These clear geometrical areas delineate water elements, living rooms, open spaces and green spaces, events, etc. A curved zone is the necessary connecting element, since it carries movements and postures and ensures accessibility. It is at the heart of the composition and organizes the individual elements.

In detail, the main element of the proposal is the creation of a green-bioclimatic zone. This starts from the proposed remodeling of Fokionos Negri and diffuses into Kanari Square. A "forest of pink magnolias" and other deciduous tree species seeks to revitalize the wider area by enhancing the green areas and tree planting of the common area. In this "green" route, linear zones of water are traces of an earlier alignment of the Levidis stream, which is revived as a modern "natural place" and culminate in a circular water element. There, the statue of K. Kanaris is placed in a monumental position, marking the return of the hero of the revolution to the water element.

Simultaneously with the intention to develop the "virgin" - green zone, a clean section of a square with urban characteristics is developed that is located at a higher level. It is distinguished by its characteristic square shape and delimited by clean geometrically, compact green spaces. A metal pergola strengthens but also violates its pure geometry. These two sections are unified by the flow access zone, with terraces and ramps for people with disabilities. A curved amphitheater, within the zone, with comfortable wooden seating areas, marks the end of the green route and is the important resting point of the square.

In addition to the dominant element of human flows, which developed over time in Kypseli and determine the basic idea of the proposal, the engravings of the floors and the knitting of the patterns also symbolize the element of multiculturalism of the area. The development of these motifs in the urban part of the square but also on its characteristic axes, brings back to the collective memory of the area the knitting of the languages, customs and colors of the inhabitants of Kypseli. The choice of shades of pink on floors and tree planting exudes a romantic and nostalgic character.

For the morphology of urban equipment, red metal structures are proposed, with the basic geometric element of the arch. The proposal borrows and transcribes this element from morphological elements of remarkable buildings in the area. Using this vocabulary synthetically, a playground is created, a changing system of movable metal elements that carries multiple functions, such as urban maze, exhibitions, etc., metal pergolas and the housing of the metro exits. This creates a grid of significant elements with a clear reference to the historicity of the area.

In summary, the proposal attempts to create a "green place" that will revitalize the microclimate of the area and improve the quality of life of the residents. All of the above integrated into the cultural and historical environment of Kypseli and inspired by the "context" of the area will be a green landmark - a reference point for residents and visitors.