| Commercial complex |
(Athens, Greece) |
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This commercial complex, situated off the avenue leading to Pireos consists of several programmatic elements: an underground parking lot for 600 cars, shops of varying sizes, a superstore (4500 m2), 5 cinemas and 2 office blocks.
The project, rather than expressing a unified whole attempts to express the rich diversity of programs, superimposing and juxtaposing different architectures, each with their specific functionality.
The project thereby superimposes four distinct “worlds”:
an inclined plinth, with the principal access to the central courtyard, a pedestrian ramp, cut out
the ground floor defined by the glazed volumes of the shops
the first floor consisting of an opaque blue box housing the superstore
the “suspended” garden, the blue box’s planted roof and accessible terrace, where the five cinemas and one office block are organised
Athens’ climatic conditions allow typical air-conditioned atrium spaces to be avoided to the benefit of a simple rain protecting roof (a glass roof supported by steel trees) and a careful management of natural ventilation.
A number of external terraces provide the setting for cafÈs, restaurants and idle strolls beneath canvas canopies.
Solar protective elements, canopies, terraces and balconies are to effectively reduce energy consumption. The project attempts to reconcile a modern approach of the commercial centre with the local culture, climate and shopping habits.
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