The basic issue in which the project has to answer is
the arrangement of a multifunctional program in an existing building, so that
it maintains its basic structure while simultaneously fulfilling all the
requirements of the program. Also, it gives answers to the urban arrangement of
the area of Cultural Coast of Piraeus based on the axιs of triple connection
City-Cultural Coast of Piraeus-Silo Building.
The area
Α system of parallel routes is
produced, with emphasis on the central pedestrian route (Rampla), as the
backbone of the total rearrangement, according to which the entrances to the
cultural spaces are organized. Secondary vertical routes connect the above
system. Squares, green, water, and seating areas, spaces of gathering and info
points are created. The project emphasizes the spatial relation of the region
with the sea and their boundary, which is redefined with a gradual sinking of
the pier.
The building
The basic compositional principle is the “section” to
the existing building, with the demolition of certain cells, so that the
“hidden” constructional structure of the building is revealed. The produced high
space organizes the reception of the Museum and it is accessible from a ramp
which runs through the pilotis. On both sides of the reception area, the
exhibition (central volume of the cells) the administration and the labs (office
building and tower) are located with a connection through bridges. Finally, two
new buildings are created to house the complimentary functions of the program.
An internal courtyard- “closed” square -is formed between the new buildings and
the Silo.
Concerning the exhibition spaces, they are arranged within
the area of the cells. A system of movements is created with two parallel ramps
of reversed direction, which organizes the circulation of the visitors to the permanent
exhibition space. Two prismatic cast iron constructions with cor-ten panels are
used to cover the exhibition rooms that are placed at the highest levels of the
building.