New connections

Eleftheria Square lies adjacent to the Venetian walls and the dry moat that surrounds Nicosia. These distinctive defensive fortifications, originally built during the Middle Ages and extensively restored by the Venetians in the 16th century, define the historic core of the capital, separating the old city from the newer districts that developed beyond the walls.

 

Urban Design Strategy

The transformation of the square into the city’s primary gathering space is based on the creation of new connections intended to contribute to the reunification of the divided capital. The design secures unobstructed views toward the historic walls, establishing them as an integral component of Nicosia’s identity, while simultaneously opening the moat to public uses, allowing it to host festivals and outdoor events.

The project elevates the level of the moat to form a bridge that connects organically with the surrounding urban fabric, creating a new civic square at the heart of the city. Within this framework, extensive archaeological excavations were carried out, alongside conservation and protection works for the historic Venetian fortifications. The project also includes the creation of two cafés within the square and the construction of a new underground parking facility, accessed from Omirou Avenue.

 

 

Elements of Circulation

Staircases and elevators directly link the square with the Solomos Square bus terminal, reinforcing the functionality and permeability of the area. The transformation of previously inaccessible areas within the moat into plazas, gardens, and palm-lined pedestrian paths establishes a new “green belt” around the city.

This belt has the potential to extend along the historic fortifications, forming a continuous network of public spaces that encircle Nicosia and reconnect the communities of the divided capital. In this way, the square acts as a catalyst for the activation of public space, offering new opportunities for social interaction and urban life.

 

 

Materiality & Lighting Design

Within the broader vision of transforming the moat into an urban park, the project’s fluid geometries emerge from the triangulation of the irregular forms of the fortification perimeter. Points of spatial intensity are transformed into seating areas, planting beds, or water elements, shaping a dynamic urban landscape. Granite paving introduces a sense of timeless solidity, while the open joints between the slabs function as a passive system for stormwater drainage. Newly planted trees contribute to the natural regulation of water levels, reducing erosion around the foundations of the medieval walls.

The upper-level bridge and its supports are constructed from sculptural concrete forms that ensure seismic stability, while the bases of the columns are shaped to function as integrated seating elements. Through this transformation, Eleftheria Square emerges as the largest urban public space in Nicosia. By bridging the Venetian walls and the moat, the square becomes a significant gateway to the old city, while the underground parking facility removes vehicular traffic from the historic center, facilitating its future pedestrianization. In this way, the project enriches the urban landscape of this historic district while simultaneously creating new public gardens and gathering spaces for residents and visitors alike.

Finally, the lighting design reinforces the square’s fluid geometry and acts as a spatial guidance system during the evening hours. Linear lighting elements are discreetly integrated along the contours of the curved surfaces and bridges, emphasizing the dynamic morphology of the composition and enhancing the legibility of the structure within the urban landscape. At the same time, low-intensity lighting fixtures embedded within the paving create a subtle “field of light” that follows the geometry of the circulation paths and areas of pause. This approach highlights the plasticity of the concrete surfaces, enhances the sense of safety, and transforms the public space into a nocturnal landscape where light operates both functionally and atmospherically.

 

 

Restructuring an Urban Fragment

The building, a formerly monofunctional and structurally fragmented commercial zone at Salzburg’s Lieferinger Spitz is reimagined as a vibrant, urban microcosm. Located at a key traffic junction along the Münchner Bundesstraße, the site -once defined by noise, vehicular dominance, and anonymity- is transformed through a bold architectural gesture into a place of social interaction, ecological awareness, and spatial clarity.

 

Design Philosophy

The L-shaped building anchors the site, mediates between scales, and introduces a carefully choreographed volumetry that responds to environmental stressors while defining new urban edges. Terraced floors, setbacks, and volumetric articulations provide noise protection and introduce rhythm and identity. What was once a lot hosting six units now accommodates 47 hybrid residential and commercial units, merging density with livability.

The core of the architectural concept lies in smart densification without additional land consumption. Parking is decoupled from lease agreements, creating flexibility and liberating surface area for green and communal spaces. By prioritizing bike infrastructure, car -and cargo-bike sharing, and non-motorized mobility, the building responds to the needs of a shifting urban demographic. Roof gardens, vertical green systems, and open-air terraces introduce biodiversity, moderate heat islands, and create meaningful social interfaces.

 

 

Urban Design

Confronted with a narrow, traffic-exposed plot, the design asserts a new logic: it creates a public plaza with a fountain, integrates a new bike lane, and elevates community life with a rooftop playground. This project redefines the rules of residual spaces, demonstrating how architecture can reclaim forgotten zones and turn them into hubs of urban vitality. Despite constraints, the site now hosts more green space than before, proving that density and ecology can not only coexist, but amplify each other.

The project goes beyond architecture: it delivers measurable public and ecological value. Residents benefit from improved air quality, reduced noise, and diversified urban amenities. The surrounding district profits from new public green areas, improved microclimate, and an upgraded mobility infrastructure. In the broader urban ecology, MB110 contributes to reducing soil sealing, supporting biodiversity, and encouraging low-impact lifestyles.

 

 

Innovative Approach & Sustainability

What distinguishes MB110 is its ability to create more open, green space through densification -an apparent contradiction turned design strategy. It demonstrates how unbuildable or overlooked urban plots can be reprogrammed through architecture into meaningful, livable, and ecologically sound urban fragments. It offers a blueprint for resilient urban transformation, balancing pragmatic solutions with visionary thinking.

 

Winner of the European Prize for Urban Public Space 2024 in Seafronts Category

Located in the town of Porto do Son in Spain, this urban redevelopment project rectifies the previous poor relationship between the port and civic activities as well as enhances direct contact between town and sea.

 

Design Objectives

The project had a twofold objective, considering the diversity of the Porto do Son coastline. The first was to create a system of controlled dunes with native vegetation between the park and the beach. The idea was to bring nature to the seafront, which had previously been dominated by a strip of pavement and a wall. The second was to improve access to the beach and resolve the conflicts between the port activities and the growing commercial and residential development.

 

Landscape Design

The project creates a transitional stretch of land that would act both as a protective barrier and a link, identifying them as dunes. The morphology of a dune system was recreated by depositing fine sand to form mounds in two staggered rows. Native plant species such as marram grass were planted to stabilise the dunes over time and create a dynamic balance. Being a transitional space, the new dunes required well-thought access points and therefore, three wooden walkways were built to connect the urban spaces with the park.

 

Urban Regeneration

In the port area, the project aim is to improve the access to the water as well as propose a new Port Services Centre. The design seeks to create a cohesive space that restores the connection between the historic centre and the port, while separating the main road from the seafront. Near the market, a wooden structure serves as the town’s old drying racks for fishing nets, while two new exterior spaces -one of stone, the other of earth and trees- act as transitional spaces that lead to a car park and the new Port Services Centre, which features views towards Monte Louro.

This small stretch of coastline has become a catalyst for wider change, improving environmental quality and access to the beach as well as raising public awareness regarding urban space and coastline conditions and challenges.

Illuminated geometries

The recently inaugurated lifestyle centre is a futuristic architectural landmark intended to revolutionise the Milan’s urban skyline. Its design is a tribute to sustainability and everyday life, featuring the highest urban planning standards and poised to become a focal point within the city.

 

Design Philosophy

The centre includes 210 stores that feature a unique selection of national and international brands. The complex is distinguished by its organic architectural shape, comprised of two circular buildings connected by a suspension bridge, and acts as a striking example of modern architecture. The interior showcases magnificent, expansive, seamlessly interconnected spaces made of an array of strategically configurated glass elements.

 

Lighting Design

Spaces are diverse and intricate, thus in need of different lighting requirements, which are addressed through a careful lighting design study by the Greek designer, Thomas Gravanis (Studio L+DG Lighting Architects). The lighting blends harmoniously with its surroundings, creating a welcoming and inviting atmosphere. Despite a number of challenges, such as mitigating light pollution and glare, the result offers comfort and high-quality lighting that accentuates the distinctive architecture of the centre. Additionally, by developing tailored lighting solutions, the building follows bioclimatic and energy-efficient design principles. Finally, the façades have been illuminated to enhance the visual experience for both pedestrians and motorists.

 

Sustainability Approach

The architecture seamlessly integrates advanced technology and sustainability. The main roof offers ample natural light while avoiding glare or overheating. The project successfully meets all the current challenges of sustainability with the use of eco-friendly materials and bioclimatic solutions. An 8,500m2 dome and the use of 4,500m3 of laminated timber contribute towards reducing the building’s environmental impact by absorbing the equivalent of 8 years of CO₂emissions. With over 5,000m2 of indoor and outdoor green space, the lifestyle centre becomes an urban oasis, situated at the heart of Milan.

Connected workspace

The Serena Williams Building -a workplace for 2,750 occupants at 93,000m2 – is the largest structure at Nike World Headquarters.

 

Project Challenges

Beyond its sheer scale, the project presented three principal challenges: creating a new prototype for a design-focused workspace that fosters chemistry and collaboration on an enormous scale; leveraging regenerative principles to design for both the site and the building occupants; and finally, capturing the ethos of sport, Nike’s heritage, and the spirit of Serena Williams, the ultimate warrior-muse and the building’s namesake.

 

 

Interior Layout

The office space consists of four parts: an underground parking garage and loading dock; a merchandising center for prototype retail spaces, integrated design studios for multiple product categories and a 12-story tower with shared amenities for the campus. Integral to the design is the concept of flow i.e., a fluid design strategy that is both efficient and enlightened. By creating gathering spaces in a variety of scales, the building fosters connectivity, organized around the principle that all brand designers occupy a single level, while the services stack vertically between levels. This particular layout allows products to move from sketch to prototype to final design to retail fixture all under one roof.

 

Landscape Design & Materials

In its former life, the building site contained a parking lot and an access road to an adjacent building, all next to a beautiful wetland that is currently disjointed from the main campus. In order to connect the natural landscape more efficiently, the existing access road is buried lower into the ground, minimizing the visual presence of cars and trucks, while each of the building’s wings feature green roof terraces that overlook the wetland. Finally, stormwater is also collected and returned to the wetland, while energy efficient mechanical systems include displacement ventilation and radiant sails. Courtyards, gardens, plazas and a sunken tennis court break down the scale of the building and provide informal outdoor spaces for work, recreation and relaxation. Natural light floods the workspaces through large openings and skylights. The interior is clad primarily in raw concrete, while the building’s structure remains partially exposed.

 

Green revitalisation

The project focuses on the redevelopment of Feidas Square in Lambrini, covering a total area of 16,343m², which includes the square itself, along with its surrounding streets and sidewalks. The goal of this revitalisation is to transform the area into a vibrant, sustainable urban hub that enhances the quality of life for residents while fostering a stronger connection with public spaces, in harmony with both nature and the urban environment.

 

Design Philosophy

The square is currently in a state of significant disrepair, with issues such as cracked flooring and abandoned retaining walls, neglected dirt paths, a lack of low greenery, narrow sidewalks, and insufficient signage. The proposal seeks to address these problems by improving the environmental, functional, and aesthetic quality of the square, while also creating a modern, welcoming urban space that promotes greenery, recreation, and play.

 

Architectural Approach

The design preserves the square’s existing layout, with the central area featuring a hardscape formed by a 4mx4m rectangular grid. This grid is created using continuous rows of marble blocks, while the resulting paved sections are distinguished by a mix of “cool” concrete and marble blocks arranged in three distinct patterns, along with raw concrete poured in two different shades. The repeating and alternating squares form a cohesive geometric backdrop of textures and colors. Tree canopies, both existing and newly planted, are integrated into the design, bordered by one or more rows of cobblestones arranged in concentric circles.

 

Public Uses

In the central area, the flooring is distinct and features ground-level water jets, surrounded by a circular seating area. A playground is created in the northeastern section of the square, while the existing basketball courts are preserved. The dirt paths are redesigned with varying widths, and new public amenities are added, including benches arranged in groups within shaded areas.

The perimeter sidewalks are expanded to provide more comfortable and safer pedestrian conditions, with new rows of trees added along their length. Traffic management measures include implementing one-way streets, reducing vehicle speeds, and organizing and limiting parking.

 

Sustainable Design

A primary planning goal is to combat the urban heat island effect through “blue and green” interventions. This is achieved by reducing hard surfaces and expanding planting areas to foster lush vegetation and natural stormwater management. Retaining existing greenery, along with introducing a substantial number of new trees and low plants, provides ample shade and lowers temperatures in warmer months. Enhanced planting diversity not only improves the microclimate but also boosts biodiversity, enriching the urban ecosystem.

In addition to serving as a recreational feature, the floor jets also function as a cooling element, particularly during the summer months. New led lighting and recycling initiatives are introduced to minimize the environmental footprint. Moreover, traffic regulations and the installation of bicycle parking spaces promote increased bicycle use.

Composing contrasts

The new coffee shop, situated in a central area of Athens, is characterized by a harmonious synthesis of strong contrasts: geometric shapes, materials, textures, and colors. The design aim is to cultivate an elegant yet avant-garde atmosphere.

 

Design Philosophy

The store consists of a ground floor indoor and outdoor seating area. The first floor houses a hybrid seating and seminar area, centred around the theme of coffee. At the heart of the composition are two monolithic counters crafted from handmade coloured mosaic and positioned centrally within the shop to oversee the process of production and supply of products. The coffee station and open kitchen harmoniously coexist in the space. Organized around them are the staff and customer circulation areas. The horizontal flow of the composition is disrupted by a void at the centre of the space and a metal circular staircase ascending to the floor above. These elements are accentuated in colour, splitting the space in two segments.

 

Morphological elements

The central aperture fosters a visual link between the levels, offering an element of surprise through hanging fixtures and vertical plants. The façade is made of metallic black frames, a sunshade cloth, and vibrant plants that attract passing pedestrians, immersing them in a diverse experience.

 

Natural Materials

Incorporating Art Deco elements and materials reminiscent of an Athens’s “other era”, the space exudes a welcoming ambiance. Polished dark green floor tiles serve a dual purpose by unifying the various functions of the space while also infusing a playful dynamic with their reflective properties, which vary depending on the viewing angle. The walls feature either lime paint or ceramic cladding adorned with geometric patterns and designs, providing an ideal backdrop for artwork, wall light fixtures, and indoor planting. Brass paired with glass, mosaic, and ceramics with unique geometry and texture, along with wood combined with Venetian wicker, collectively imbue the entire composition with a rich materiality.

Progressive transformation

The project involves the reuse of an old office building and its conversion into a modern assisted reproduction clinic. Its aim is to become a new landmark for the wider area as well as promote sustainable design principles.

 

Conservation strategy

The renovation retained key elements of the original four-storey office building, including the load-bearing structure, staircases, elevator shaft, corridors, balconies, and roofs. During the project’s execution, it was also decided to preserve all external steel window frames, due to both technical considerations as well as to minimize overall expenses. The building’s dynamic transformation was initially implemented in its interior to create the new offices, the operating rooms, as well as the reception and waiting areas. An overall exterior design intervention concluded the building’s refurbishment. The staircase divides each level into two distinct spaces. Τhe ground floor houses the main areas of the new clinic: the central lobby, the café and a small restaurant with beautiful open-air facilities are located on one part, while the operating theatres, doctors’ offices and main laboratories on the other.

 

Spatial organisation

Particular emphasis was placed on ergonomic design and the creation of unobstructed circulation routes between the separate rooms and functions. The first floor houses the medical offices and examination rooms. The waiting room, consulting rooms and offices are located around an impressively designed area, while the marketing and accounting services are concentrated in a second section within the building. The administration offices, conference rooms and a few support services are located on the top floor. The basement houses essential support facilities, including additional workshops, preparation rooms, a small gym, and wellness spaces. Additionally, all MEP equipment is situated in the basement, along with designated parking spaces.

 

Façade design

The exterior elevation was transformed, through a bold gesture, into a moving façade of large aluminium and wooden beams: a “fluid” partition unfolds into two separate strips, creating an extraordinary form with curved and elastic shapes, which embraces the building’s existing volumes and elevator shaft. A pebble pond shaped with similar curved lines and the carefully designed paths, outdoor facilities and intriguing vegetation complete the composition.

Carving the landscape

Located in a 3000 m2 plot, the Dragon Mountain Tourist Centre fosters a symbiotic relationship between building and landscape and redefines the approach towards vernacular architecture.

 

Architecture in context

The design considers the complex natural context, adapting to its topography by creating five distinct, fragmented buildings organized around a small square. Their form is clean and curved, varying in height, crafting a dialogue between solids and voids. The constructed empty spaces, frame a series of landscape perspectives of the mountain. The site is split into two separate lanes; the first one directing the visitor up towards the mountain and the second descending towards a small grove filled with trees and two small ponds.

 

Entrance gate

In China, entrances to modern touristic sites follow a standardized sequence: a public square with a sculpture at its center followed by an entrance gate constructed in traditional style and finally a ticket counter, information, and welcome center. In this project, the entrance gate is incorporated into the architectural composition, housing the ticket counter and security staff area. Its form is both architectural and sculptural, acting as a visual landmark for visitors. The gate is composed of a series of curved walls – a reminder of the fortifications that surrounded the ancient Chinese cities – which also define the public square. Following the form of the five buildings, the walls vary in height, creating an interplay within the vertical space. They create a series of thresholds, that allow the visitor to gradually discover the different entrances to each building.

 

Materials

Stone cladding is the project’s material protagonist, used to delicately integrate the design with the surrounding landscape and local architecture. Additional “earthly” materials used are raw concrete as well as screens constructed with natural bamboo that create a subtle layer between the heavy stone elements and the transparent glass façade.

Founded in 315 BC and named after princess Thessalonike of Macedon, the sister of Alexander the Great, Thessaloniki is a historic city that has developed through the ages. Thanks to its location at the northwest corner of the Aegean Sea, Thessaloniki became a multi-ethnic metropolis. Hellenes, Romans, Ottoman Turks, Slavs and Jews passed through the centuries, leaving their mark on the city’s culture and architectural style.

The west coast, including the port of the city, used to be a manufacturing zone and is now uniquely located to spearhead the development of the city and its regeneration into a vibrant regional and international pole. Unfortunately, today the west waterfront area is an underused urban area representing probably one of the most underdeveloped areas of the city. It weakens the city’s image, livability, and productivity. Several past initiatives to facilitate the change towards urban growth and productivity have not been successful. Τhe challenge still remains.

The Architecture Competition “ArXellence 2” is an Open & Free, One-stage International Ideas Competition that aims to highlight innovative design as the ideal tool for the success of the new Central Business District (CBD) of Thessaloniki. The competition is sponsored & organized by ALUMIL – an international company based in Greece, specialized in the development of advanced architectural aluminium systems – and endorsed by the International Union of Architects (UIA). It will be conducted according to the UNESCO Standard Regulations for International Competitions in Architecture and Town Planning and the UIA best practice recommendations.

In more detail, the subject of the competition is the design of a new CBD at a wider area of 120.000 m² behind the port. The area’s advantageous location next to the city’s port, near the historic center of the city and quite close to important road and rail networks, as well as near industrial zones and logistics infrastructure, offers opportunities for sustainable economic development. Moreover, the area will be upgraded significantly upon the completion of major prospective infrastructure projects, as the upgrade of the port, Thessaloniki’s new Metro network and the potential development of the western suburban railway. Last but not least, Thessaloniki’s airport ongoing redevelopment will result (by 2021) to an expanded modern airport with a significantly increased capacity, connecting the city, further, with the world.

Thus, with the potential of redevelopment being strong, the Architectural Ideas Competition “ArXellence 2” represents a major challenge of urban regeneration. It is the first, and most decisive, step towards meeting the expectations of a new, cosmopolitan Thessaloniki. It is hoped that visionary competition schemes will pave the way for the regeneration of this decaying urban area through local government initiatives and private sector participation. Confirming its gravity and importance to the public, the competition runs under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Central Macedonia Regional Government, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the Technical Chamber of Greece (Central Macedonia Branch) and the Architects Council of Thessaloniki.

The competition started on the 9 March 2020 and the registrations will be open until 25 May 2020. The due date for submissions is on 15 October 2020. The prizes will amount to 60.000 € and the 6 winners, along with 4 honorary mentions, will be announced on 25 November 2020. The awards ceremony will be followed by a 20-day exhibition in Thessaloniki Town Hall and a similar exhibition in Thessaloniki Music Hall. To get the official UIA approved competition brief and to register, please visit the competition’s website: www.alumil.com/arxellence.