KD TRAVEL LOG DRAFT

This travel log explores the urban layering and structure of Athens as a society under continuous development. Athens is known for its urban design in conjuction with undulating grounds and terrain, creating its own genre of Athenian archtitecture.

However, as the city progresses through time, and as the Athenian society demands for urbanism, the urban design and structure of Athens is forced for a change; the city overcomes the spatial issue through either burial of areas to allow for new architecture and infrastrucures, or the excavation of a site.

Nonetheless, urban renewal does not define the experience in Athens alone, it exceeds far more than the branching design of urbanism in Athens; other gestures such as walking through the roads, analyzing historical artifacts, as well as understanding Athenian urban transformation also encapsulate the true experience in Athens, Greece.

LAYERS OF ATHENS

Upon close observation, the Athenian urban construction can be distinguished through levels of division, and in a way through districts as well--allowing the city to be understood both in plan and section

In understanding the different layers of Athens, the structure and design contribute to the urban continuity that makes the city appealing to both locals and tourists. Unlike a grid urban plan, Athens follows a synthesis of both radial, which showcases a centrepiece--namely the Acropolis area-as well as a grid structure in the outer perimeter of Athens. Despite these slight changes, the design of Athenian buildings and public spaces seem to follow an architectural formula, making the city cohesive in spite of living in a contemporary era.

The city consists of an invariable apex, the ground, as well as an underground that supports the metro and a network of waterways.

NOTION OF LAYERS

The Apex, Ground, & Underground Level

When framing the different grounds and levels of Athens, there is a clear distinction of the apex, ground, as well as the underground level.

APEX

The apex is easily understood as the top level of the buildings. Often times, there are associated with a secondary program with a specifi building: such as balcony, parking, residential spaces, gardens, etc. These apexes also stay consistent due to the almost-uniform architecture of the city.’’

“There is a beauty in looking up and not just admiring the ground level.”

- natassa pappa

THE GROUND

The ground could be understood between two subdivisions: the city and the actual ground, ultimately differentiating the walkway and paths where circulation becomes active from the masses that are also situated on ground level

A. “CITY LEVEL”

The City Level, as best described, consists of building mass or infrastructures, such as residential, commercial, or industrial buildings that both interrupt and encourage human traffic along the city.

B. “ROAD LEVEL”

The Road Leveld can classify networks such as roads and sidewalks that ultimately control the traffic and circulation of people; it is what individuals understand from eye level and of human scale, whereas the city levels recalibrates and interpolates the human ground into the level in-between the mentioned superlatives: The Apex & Road Level.

COMPLEX LEVELS

ACROPOLIS

This monumental area stands as one of many highest apexes in Athens that overlooks all of the city with its striking view.

The Acropolis has been a means to look down into the city, as historically intended as well, where statues of the gods and icons of power are situated atop the city. It is emblematic of the highest level of Athens, where in comparison to the following lower areas, contains priority in urban restoration and maintenance.

SITE DOCUMENTATION

NATIONAL GARDENS OF ATHENS

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc dapibus nec tortor vel feugiat. Etiam aliquam mauris ligula, id fermentum justo congue non. Phasellus ultricies orci ac metus tempus, vel fringilla sapien tincidunt. Sed et porttitor nisi. Integer ornare massa vitae lorem tincidunt sollicitudin. Pellentesque pharetra lectus quis vestibulum consequat. Integer ac odio ligula. Etiam tincidunt varius quam. Etiam ut velit neque. Morbi sapien arcu, fermentum sed lacus sed, eleifend rhoncus purus. Nam consectetur congue nisi, vitae condimentum sem fringilla eu.