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ArXellence 2 Exhibition

Giannis — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 11:38:23 +0000

This article by Giannis was published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications.

The Open, International Architectural Ideas Competition ArXellence 2, an initiative by ALUMIL, set the framework for highlighting innovative design as the ideal approach for creating the new Central Business District of Thessaloniki (CBD) and prescribing a sustainable urban development for the west waterfront of the city. The international architectural community responded to the call by the company with 1464 enrollments and 173 submitted entries, underscoring the necessity of redesigning this historical yet long-defunct area, following sustainability principles.

The culmination of the competition will see the official Exhibition, from September 11-26, in the heart of the west entrance to the city, the Old Abattoir. All 173 submitted entries will be presented in the outdoor space of the International Center for Digital Transformation and Skills – Cisco (DT&S), launching a “dialog” with the site, its present image, and its people’s testimonials.

Concurrent to the exhibition, a series of parallel events will bring attention to the crucial importance of implementing one of the entries, will facilitate contact between the citizens and the history and features of the site, and record their preferences on the desired shape of the west entrance of the city.

Round table discussion: “Seeking the Possible and the Required between Cultural Heritage & Modern Architecture.” [Saturday, September 11, 2021]
Photography Competition [August 12-September 10, 2021]
Thematic tours [Saturday 11 September, Friday 17 September, Sunday 19 September, Friday 24 September]
Online poll on the entries [3-26 September 2021]
School and institutional visits [13-26 September 2021]

Detailed information and ways of participation to the parallel events will be announced soon.

With this initiative, in the framework of its corporate responsibility honoring its domestic base, ALUMIL aspires to set the grounds for the competition, the exhibition, and parallel events to underline – through architecture and contemporary urban design – the fact that Thessaloniki is a global city, with the potential of undertaking a leading role in the near future; a city that will boast not only high-level corporate space but also zones combining commercial activity with prime quality housing.

More information:

Exhibition website

Exhibition video

Competition website

The Competition was organized and financed by ALUMIL, with the support of the International Union of Architects (UIA). Its proceedings complied with the UNESCO Model Rules for International Architecture and Urban Design Competitions and the UIA handbook of good practice. The Competition was held under the auspices of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the Prefecture of Central Macedonia, the Technical Chamber of Greece / Central Macedonia Section, and the Union of Architects of Thessaloniki.

The post ArXellence 2 Exhibition was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

Salina Municipal Park

Giannis — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 10:29:48 +0000

This article by Giannis was published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications.

The design philosophy centers around free movement in space. Fluidity and drift, combined with the free interaction of the walking visitor with various hosted activities, aim towards an enhanced spatial experience. As the movement of the visitors largely unfolds within an urban setting, the proposal removes this image through free drift in space.

The aim of the study is the upgrade of the locations, with increased greenery and new, added uses; creating proper infrastructures that will cater to the needs of residents and visitors alike, may also attract tourist interest, with a variety of thematic activities. The latter will be coordinated with the landscape design of the area at large, creating green spaces, event and entertainment venues, as well as spaces for quiet isolation.

The main entrance leads the visitor to a “river” of activities crossing through the length of the site, providing a variety of options. Through this green trail, one explores and discovers space, perceiving the park through free movement within. Greenery frames the space, erasing the boundaries of a conventional walking trail. On the contrary, a free, open space unfolds, combining different stimuli.

A game between the urban and the natural landscape is established, and transitions are optimized. The open space is equipped with moveable elements, to accommodate open-air uses. Urban furniture is freely distributed in space, creating places of rest, while vegetal strips enhance this trajectory with aromatic plants, shrubs, and trees, creating an immersive experience. Lush vegetation on the sides of the trail creates a filter between city and nature.

Polys Thoma,
Eleftherios Vomvolakis

The post Salina Municipal Park was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

ArXellence 2: Award Ceremony

Giannis — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 14:49:43 +0000

This article by Giannis was published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications.

Arxcellence 2, the architectural competition for a new Central Business District in Thessaloniki, hosted by Alumil, reached 1464 registrations from 90 countries, and 173 architectural entries were submitted for evaluation. The evaluation process was held online, involving an international Jury, that concluded in 6 prizes and 4 ex aequo mentions; those 10 projects were deemed as the most responsive to the relevant UIA guidelines.

On February 23^rd, 2021, the online award ceremony will provide architects with the stage for debating their innovative ideas. Furthermore, a physical forum is scheduled for the month of June, where the international jury members will elaborate on their outlook upon the competition.

To follow the online award ceremony, you may register here.

Furthermore, you may watch the ceremony on Facebook, through live streaming.

Ek magazine is a media partner of the competition.

The post ArXellence 2: Award Ceremony was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

T-Wave

Giannis — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 10:32:02 +0000

This article by Giannis was published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications.

The idea confronts the conflicts between man and nature, between rebirth and memories, innovation and environment. Open green spaces and harmony between the buildings are the aim of the general plan. The park and the green areas will be the elements in common, the link that holds together the various parts of the new intervention, starting from 26 October Ave. which becomes an important boulevard, an element of gentle mobility that reconnects the city to the project area.

This intervention proposal is a “project within a project” which implies a harmonious integration with the rest of the urban space of the city. The past and industrial commemoration must not be lost but must make use of a strong enhancement of all the historic buildings that will finally be given a new life, becoming areas for both public and private activities and services. This intervention is a new part of the Big City, an opportunity for its rebirth. The project area reconnects an important strip of the city, it is a new center of gravity which proposes new relationships between the consolidated fabric on one side and the industrial port on the other.

The new project intervention is proposed to become an infrastructural HUB. The location is strategic and becomes easily accessible by any means of transport thanks to the inclusion of public service stations, bicycle and car sharing stations. Current and future residents will benefit from the use of self-driving electric rental cars that will be made available to reach the places of interest in Thessaloniki. Less cars for a more efficient and sustainable service.

MAU Architecture

The post T-Wave was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.