Sonstiges Vergabeverfahren | 04/2013
Landscaping the Surrounding Space of the Monumental Area of Eptapyrgio, Thessaloniki
Masterplan of the landscaping proposal on an aerial photo of Eptapyrgio's area.
Anerkennung
Preisgeld: 4.000 EUR
OPSIS Architecture & Landscape Architecture
Landschaftsarchitektur, Architektur, Landschafts- / Umweltplanung
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Verfasser:
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Landschaftsarchitektur
Erläuterungstext
The proposal of Opsis Architects team focused on creating a pedestrian-friendly green historical park that can serve tourist visits throughout the year, small scale cultural events and upgrade the neighborhood’s urban environment. Taking into account that the monument is placed on the highest top of the surrounding hills in the heart of Thessaloniki’s Upper City, it was important to create paths that would be easy to walk, with low inclinations and small stops for the visitor to rest and enjoy the view. On the other hand is was necessary to highlight the monumental character of the fortress and create dramatic frames of different angles.
The characteristic geometry of the proposed network of paths, small scale theaters and supporting facilities derives from the monument itself, that looks like a zigzag ribbon, connecting points of interest. Human interventions are perfectly integrated in the natural slopes around the monument, sometimes used in order to enhance to view and sometimes to block it, like the case of heavy traffic surrounding roads or the new parking space, demanded by the competition’s terms.
The planting proposal supports the architectural choices, although the plant covered areas are more naturally shaped, with free forms and a xeriscape low maintenance concept. Shade produced by trees of different sizes make the park attractive to tourists and everyday users, while ground covering shrubs of native species control the visitors’ movement and views. Small scale open spaces covered with grass surrounded by masses of trees create the impression of a series of outdoor rooms that can only be viewed as a whole from the top of the monument, inside the fortress.
Beurteilung durch das Preisgericht
Northern part of Eptapyrgio's historical park. A small scale theater is integrated in the natural slope of the hill.
The northern part's small scale theater.
Central part of Eptapyrgio's historical park and main entrance to the monument.
The main entrance to the monument.
Southern part of Eptapyrgio's historical park. Open spaces by the the city's ancient wall.
The second small scale theater by the wall.
Open spaces resembling outdoor rooms.
Western part of Eptapyrgio's historical park. Some traditional houses built by the the city's ancient wall were saved and restored.