Ellinikon Experience Park at Elliniko

Environmental symbiosis

The new park at the Elliniko airport site offers a glimpse into the envisioned lifestyle of the Athenian Riviera. With the city’s seafront in view, the park showcases a harmonious blend of ecological management and social planning.

Design Philosophy

At the heart of the Experience Park lies the concept of symbiosis, i.e., fulfilling the needs of both humans and nature. This approach ensures that both “worlds” remain healthy and mutually supportive within a framework of harmonious coexistence, safeguarding the planet’s future well-being. The park’s design and implementation are guided by principles of ecology, biophilia, and human-centered design.

Morphological Characteristics

The park is open and accessible to all, featuring spaces suitable for all ages, along with geometries that foster human contact. The 75-acre project includes over 500 trees and 50,000 plants, four public squares as well as four different green areas.

The design of the park meticulously preserves the airport’s natural and built elements, creating a dialogic framework that highlights and reveals its distinct features. The project’s uniqueness is evident in its soil management, which is preserved and enriched to enhance fertility. Additionally, existing plants and trees are retained and supplemented with native species, showcasing the beauty of Attica’s nature.

The existing floors are extensively preserved and carefully restored. The removed pieces are reused and transformed into sculptural configurations that accommodate the use of temporary outdoor seating.

Sustainability Approach

Small, new buildings are constructed from lightweight and eco-friendly materials, thus reducing carbon emissions from the park’s construction. Landmarks such as a distinct water feature and a playground designed in collaboration with a toy manufacturer -following the latest approaches to experiential learning- become new park attractions.

The project is proactively preparing for climate change by aiming to reduce carbon emissions during the park’s construction through extensive reuse of materials. Finally, it ensures that the entire park remains functional even in a warmer climate.