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Offener Wettbewerb | 03/2013

‘RE-THINK ATHENS’ towards a new city center

Gewinner

OKRA landschapsarchitecten

Landschaftsarchitektur

MIXST URBANISME

Landschaftsarchitektur, Stadtforschung

Landscape Architecture Group - Wageningen UR

Landschafts- / Umweltplanung

STUDIO 75

Architektur

Werner Sobek AG

Energieplanung

Erläuterungstext

On the 27 February it is announced at the Onassis Cultural Centre in Athens that the OKRA team of OKRA in collaboration with Mixst urbanism and Wageningen University, has won the prestigious competition ReThink Athens, towards a new city centre. The team is supported by the Greek Architects of Studio 75 and Werner Sobek Green Technologies. The event took place in presence of the President of the Onassis Foundation, Mr. Anthony Papadimitriou, the Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. Antonis Samaras, the Mayor of Athens, Mr. Georgios Kaminis, and many high officials.

The plan, called ‘One step beyond’ aims to bring contemporary ideas on climat control in cities, ideas on changing transportation nodes and on activating public realm a step further than already realized in many European cities. In Athens, on the large scale there is much to gain from a clear framework of green and urban spaces. The quality of the presence of the green hills and its connection to the sea will be linked to the urban network of spaces, since as the city grows it is not just about conserving these qualities but to discover a new layer of publicly accessible space at different scales.

The project starts from stating that public space is about creating space for people. It is where those masses meet the ground and interact with each other that is the binding element to a city. Therefore it is suggested to implement green public spaces linked to the urban network of public realm, and to retain and improve this space. The project ‘One step beyond’ focuses on creating a resilient city, accessible city and vibrant city.

The city centre of Athens will be transformed into a green network, and Panepistimiou will be the central green spine, providing shade and shelter. The resilient strategy includes specific attitudes towards reducing the urban heat and improving thermal comfort). A greening strategy for Athens is combined with a water strategy, since a good condition of plantings is crucial to contribute to heat reduction. Capturing rainwater in underground basins, on top of roofs or elsewhere helps to keep the water in the area.

The green framework will be treated as a coherent network of public realm in all directions and linking the adjacent neighbourhoods, having its highlight on Panepistimiou. Restoration of the continuities of the crossing streets creates continuity in the walking experience. By making the new tramline clear and present and part of the grandeur of the space it contributes to the aimed cohesion. In fact, Panepistimiou provides Shared space 2.0, a new balance between slow traffic and motorized movement.
The design has three characteristic places: Omonia Square and Dikaiosynis Square will become a green urban squares, with prominent lush water elements. In the middle of Panepistimou Street, a green ensemble ties the university together into an urban park.

Panepistimiou will change from ‘street’ to ‘boulevard’, by adding inviting spaces to stay to the linear space. Occupying and transforming ground floors, we introduce the concept of the theatre of 1000 rooms towards vacant buildings, organizing cultural events and shift focal points who will create a new vibrant atmosphere. Small open-air podia for outdoor initiatives will be created in public realm. Programs are related to Greek philosophy, science, drama and art. An ‘encroachment zone’ will improve active frontages and create linkages between the built environment and public realm. Interactive decorative light in public realm will give the right atmosphere during evening hours.

The detailing of the project is very careful and will turn Panepistimiou and its environs to a signature space. And even more than that; it will be a welcoming space for all. The integrated approach ct tackles the anonymous space in the heart of Athens and demonstrates that urban vibrancy can be combined with creating a green and pedestrian friendly spine, contributing to quality of life and living in Athens.
Onassis Foundation has signed a contract with OKRA in order that the OKRA team will develop their ideas in the forthcoming months into a plan that can be realized on the ground in 2015. During the execution phase it will be an International-Greek collaboration, where the Greek architects from Studio75 and Greek engineers will take part in progressing the winning competition entry to an approved plan that can be realized via European funding.

Beurteilung durch das Preisgericht

The Jury considered the winning proposal extremely successful, in terms of consideration all of the project’s requirements and of meeting all of the evaluation criteria as described in the Competition Notice.
As explicitly stated in the minutes of the Jury Meetings, the winning proposal “manages to integrate a clear design for Panepistimiou Avenue and the city squares into the broader system of the urban spaces and landscapes constituting the center of Athens. By developing a wider conception, this design may also be expanded to include other neighboring spaces in the near future, thereby showing the potential for restructuring the entire city center”.
In a comprehensive, functional, visionary and, at the same time, realistic manner, this particular study ingeniously deals with all of the issues prescribed for handling the problems of the city center. Mainly, however, the study focuses on the creation of the necessary conditions that will allow the citizens of Athens to develop a friendly relationship with their city, turning the Amalias avenue – Panepistimiou street - Omonia Square and Patission street axis into a destination point instead of a mere place of transit
The aim of the winning proposal at the Rethink Athens architectural competition is the creation of a vibrant, green and accessible heart of the city. The study is not merely confined to applying contemporary ideas on the control of environmental conditions, the reduction of car traffic and the reprogramming of the public space. It aspires to get "one step beyond" in order to reach a comprehensive proposal for a flexible, accessible city bustling with life, connecting the adjacent area in the center, acting as catalyst for the revitalization of entire Athens. At the same time it advocates the restitution of the social fabric bringing together Patissia and the Archaeological Museum to the Trilogy and the Acropolis Museum, thanks to the substantial role of public transport and to the reinvigorated usage of public space. All of these, through the perpetual dialog and the restitution of the relation between the center and its surrounding green hills, its neighborhoods, its unique history.
Visual Panepistimiou

Visual Panepistimiou

Birdseye Dikaiosynis square

Birdseye Dikaiosynis square

Birdseye Omonia Square

Birdseye Omonia Square

Birdseye Trilogy

Birdseye Trilogy

Scheme cityscale resilient city Athens

Scheme cityscale resilient city Athens

Area of Intervention

Area of Intervention

Masterplan

Masterplan

Scheme water

Scheme water

Scheme Accessibility

Scheme Accessibility

Scheme Activating built & unbuilt

Scheme Activating built & unbuilt

Scheme continuity walking experience

Scheme continuity walking experience

Axonometry paving principles

Axonometry paving principles

Section Panepistimiou

Section Panepistimiou

Section Dikaiosynis square

Section Dikaiosynis square

Section Omonia Square

Section Omonia Square

Section Trilogy

Section Trilogy

Plan 1:200 Omonoia

Plan 1:200 Omonoia

Plan 1:200 Trilogy

Plan 1:200 Trilogy

Plan 1:200 Small square

Plan 1:200 Small square

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