Desmos

Desmos

2013 M.Arch Thesis: DESMOS - Design, Inventiveness and Collaboration in a Time of Crisis Re-Thinking the Future, International Architectural Thesis Award (Honorable Mention) Athens, Greece Dalhousie University supervisor, Diogo Burnay advisors, Catherine Venart, Leon Katsepontes

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Athens presents itself as a continuous sheet of concrete pouring into the Agean Sea interrupted only by the Acropolis and Lykavitos Hill. Yet from within lie a myriad of micro-economies with enormous potential. Micro-economies which go beyond commerce, but are rather cultural economies which root the city as critical and inseparable components of Athens.

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synopsis When

an

economic

crisis

arises,

ideas amongst young professionals sparks

excessiveness is questioned. Do we need

a design that provides service spaces such

more public spaces? What happens when

as workshops, print labs, meeting spaces

we revert to a purely functionalist state of

and social spaces, woven together with a

mind, does it yield stagnation in the road

circulation network in excess of minimal

to economic recovery? If so, the question

requirements. Injection of collaborative-

becomes, what do we create in excess?

based workplaces into the already vibrant informal center’s city blocks (a place with a

Greece is now entering its fifth year of

myriad of expertise) makes the architecture

recession and external sources continue

worth investing in. It positions architecture

to impose foreign models of larger more

within under-utilized voids, allowing Athens

efficient operations onto Athens. This thesis

to make better use of its spaces and therefore

aims to signify the importance of informal

become a much smarter urban center.

Athens’

micro-economies.

It

looks

at

urbanism from the human scale upwards and

Architecturally, the flexible domino house

considers how injecting interventions at the

inspired modernist building of the 1970s

scale of the city block can influence Athens’

(known as the Polykatikia in Athens) serves as

communication. It proposes workplaces

structural framework to the new architecture.

based on resource sharing within under-

It proves that potentials of the existing

utilized zones in the city: an urban gesture

concrete post and beam frame buildings

that re-imagines the city blocks of Athens as

have not been exhausted and new spaces

a system of vibrant micro-agoras, curating

and relationships are still possible by simply

talent that already exists. Such a gesture

re-configuring its tectonics. In the center lies

promotes the power of collaborations and

the proposed Platea (the Greek public square).

reinforces an understanding that we are all

As in the ancient Agora, the Platea acts as the

part of a system, an ideology the Greeks call

connective tissue, binding the activities of the

Desmos.

city block with the street network of the city.

By

challenging

excessiveness

in

the

The current tendencies of Athens have proved

workplace, we can reflect on resources and

that resource sharing and collaborations

facilities available in bigger companies/

are not a fad, but mechanisms for survival.

systems and strategize a program aiming at

They are fundamental principles of Desmos

resource sharing. As such, it provides tools

that holds a special place in Greek culture.

only financially viable in larger companies to

Therefore evolving Athens based on Desmos

small-scale businesses. It allows Athenians

not only fosters economic recovery, but

to operate and innovate autonomously

also is an opportunity to evolve the built

with the support of a much larger system,

environment to reflect Greece’s cultural

a model that closely resembles the ancient

tendencies.

Agora. The necessity for sharing facilities and

PEOPLE ARE H

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HERE, TRYING

The smallness of Athens` operations is considered a negative for the economic downturn of Greece. Yet its scale is what gives Athens its distinctive character.

score 5.8 companies

score

5.8 companies

10-49 employees 50

20

10

0.0

companies 0-9 employees

40

30

20

10

0.0

60

50

40

30

20

10

49-250 employees

0.0

companies 0-9 10-49 employees companies employees

60

50

companies companies 0-9 49-250 employees employees

250+ employees companies 0-9 employees companies 10-49 employees companies 49-250 employees

companies 10-49 employees 250+ employees companies 49-250 employees

In comparison with other European Nations, Greece has by far the highest 250+ employees companies 10-49 employees companies 49-250 employees concentration of small 0-9 employee business, constituting thirty percent of all businesses. Even second place does not come close at nineteen percent (Portugal) while Germany has the lowest percentage of small businesses at less than five percent

(data from Adelman 2012, 19)

companies 49-250 employees

germany denmark austria netherlands spain italy portugal

germany denmark germany austria netherlands denmark austria spain netherlands italy spain portugal italy portugal

60

companies 49-250 employees

germany denmark austria netherlands spain italy portugal

score 30

companies 10-49 employees

germany denmark austria netherlands spain italy portugal

5.8 40

companies 0-9 employees

germany denmark austria netherlands spain italy portugal

0.0

germany denmark austria netherlands spain italy portugal

5.8

germany denmark germany austria denmark netherlands austria spain netherlands spain italy italyportugal portugal

score

germany germany denmarkdenmark austria austria netherlands netherlands spain spain italy italy portugal portugal

percent manufacturing workforce

germany denmark austria netherlands spain italy portugal

germany denmark austria netherlands spain italy portugal

germany denmark austria netherlands spain italy portugal

germany denmark austria netherlands spain italy portugal

10

germany denmark germany austria netherlands denmark austria spain netherlands italy spain italyportugal portugal

0.0 40

germany denmark austria netherlands spain italy portugal

10 20

germany germany denmark denmark austria austria netherlands netherlands spain spain italy italy portugal portugal

20

germany denmark austria netherlands spain italy portugal percent manufacturing workforce

30 30

germany germany denmark denmark austria austria netherlands netherlands spain spain italy italy portugal portugal

percent manufacturing workforce

germany denmark austria netherlands spain italy portugal

40

percent manufacturing workforce

germany denmark austria netherlands spain italy portugal

50 50

250+ employees

250+ employees

250+ employees

250+ employees

9

60 60

Moving forward, we must re-define Athens as an Urban Tool to better encourage Desmos and therefore Collaboration

0.0 3.0

3.2

3.4

3.6

3.8

4.0

4.2

4.4

switzerland iceland norway australia

0.1

new zealand

0.2

chech republic

0.3

hungary

0.4

spain

0.5

portugal

4.6

4.8

5.0

denmark

usa

france

0.6

korea

0.7

uk

austria

0.8

germany

0.9

canada belgium

netherlands

1.0

finland

sweden

japan

1.1

poland slovakia italy turkey mexico

patents/1000 population

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1.2

5.2

5.4

5.6

5.8

university-industry research collaboration score

Collaborations versus innovation, illustrating the deficiencies. (data from Adelman 2012, 24)

In 1973, E. F. Schumacher released the first edition of Small is beautiful, promoting the human-scale of economics. It was considered ground-breaking for its recrimination of the modern “bigger is better� mentality that was (and still is) present in most economic models. Schumacher states that small businesses bring their own energy and allow a much higher quality product to be brought forward, something mass production can never achieve. By doing so, value can be added to products that would normally be sold for a much lower rate. Three points he considers to be fundamental in function of work are: give a man a chance to utilize and develop his faculties; to enable him to overcome his ego-centredness by joining with other people in a common task; and to bring forth the goods and services needed for a becoming existence.

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Assos, Eipirus, Greece

Athens is a destination of three days, the city’s goal is to transform it to a seven day destination.

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Monastiraki Flee Market, Athens

Greece

European Union Migrant’s perception of Greece’s connection/ border relationship to the rest of Europe

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Greece

Eurozone The reality of Greece’s connection/ border relationship to the rest of Europe

Eurozone shaded countries represent the Eurozone.

This figure shows Greece’s disconnect with its fellow western European countries, for this reason, Greece is often considered Europe’s Island. Yet although de-centralized in relation to Europe, its South East location allows easier trade routes to the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

For this reason, Greece has been a hinge and major trade route since antiquity.

Focusing on the Typical rather than Exceptions Monuments and attractions have historically taken precedence but in a time where Athens as a system must become better rather then bigger, we must now shift gears and understand how we can transform the city into a Smart and Intelligent Urban Tool to better equip it for the Future.

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Test Site

abandoned buildings in Athens’ center has swelled to 500, doubling since 2004. Of these buildings, the majority are in Metaxourgio and Psiri

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Metaxourgio, Athens, Greece

TEST SITE

Reuse As residents continue to migrate out of Athens, the abandonment of the city center is growing. By viewing this as an opportunity, we can now start thinking about how we can use abandoned spaces within vibrant and central parts of the city.

Data by Sarcha, 2010. Illustrations Thanasis Ikonomou, 2013

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City Analysis Interpretation of Athens based on an analysis of programmatic relationships, circulation patterns and tectonics, 2013

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TEST SITE

GREEK CENTRAL BANK

NEW MICRO-AGORA (TEST SITE)

ANCIENT AGORA

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Bring back the Agora The Ancient Agora (as a place of communication + Intellectual exchange) is more relevant than ever. By looking at the circulation, Platea (square) and intersection with program it becomes possible to re-imagine Athens’ city blocks as a network of microagoras. Each city block can develop an identity, and contain a pocket of common space which enriches communication amongst its users and allows the city block to express its activities.

Hadrian’s Library

an

Roman Forum ora nt ag cie

3500 - 600 b.c.

the ancient Agora under Greek Rule

86 - 267

Roman Agora under Roman Rule

Agora

GREEK PARLIAMENT

479 - 338 b.c.

Agora after Persian Innvasion

1205 - 1456

Agora during the Crusades Bazar

338 - 86 b.c.

Athenian Agora under Greek rule

1456 - 1687

Agora under Ottoman Rule

Ancient Agora The Ancient Agora was considered the centre of innovation in antiquity. Its main characteristics were the Platea, stoas (acting to extend the interior program outwards toward the Platea) and most importantly a main circulation artery which intersects the Platea. It was a swelling of the street which allowed for optimal communication between the city and the Agora’s program.

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intersecting paths

platea stoas

Agora of Athens Victorian etching from the 19th Century looking Southwest depicting the Agora of Athens during the era of 338-86 b.c.

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School of Athens, Raphael (1509-1511) Located as a fresco in the Vatican’s Stanza della Segnatura, “the Scool of Athens” was painted to portray Philosophy. The fresco is a collage of moments and philosophers used to represent the Ancient Greek Agora and its impacts.

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New Age Athens (Plaka District) The center of urban life has shifted, with the adaptation of the city toard an automobile centric landscape - urban spaces are now less intimate, and focused towards constant motion rather than rest and contempation.

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Zoe [Ζωη (ΖΩΗ)] is the Greek word for not only life, but a purpose to live. To live in peace, balance and harmony with others - a word provoking thoughts of wellbeing and friendship. Its lightness in composition reminisces of simple times where to live not only meant to live for yourself, but to live in harmony with your community. In the Greek language there are only positive connotations of life, built upon the power of gathering, yet describing the power of such a word is as hopeless as quantifying the soul.

Open your eyes, see the stone laid by your ancestors, the olives planted for the community and the village fanning into the distance.

Close your eyes, hear the birds, the insects, the wind, the people and the energy. The two senses gather from opposite ends of the spectrum, yet what you see and what you hear resonate. No question you are standing in the Platea/square of the town, but how do you know you are in the heart of the city? how is it so instinctual that you are able to recognize such a place? Looking around, you eagerly seek clues: Is it the children playing in the background? the elders conversing in the foreground? its materiality? its centrality in the village? perhaps its the accumulation of all these things.

Residents of the town will tell you its the people that make the space

- they are the beating heart of any place. But the people are not the only ingredient. There is a glue which holds the community together, and the physical manifestation of the built outdoor square provides such a role. It orchestrates activities and unites people. It provides the platform for things to happen, and the articulation of material and integration of nature adds layers transforming a space to what would be “left over” to the beating heart.

As the hot pavement radiates heat towards you, consecutive cars pass by at lightening speeds, instantly awakening you. You are now in 21th century Athens, and while the energy is high, the glue is wearing out. The delicate Zoe is hard to comprehend in such a chaotic place, and although Plateas in the city exist in name, they are absent in spirit. The streets of Athens now provoke different sensations, one’s of uncertainty and struggle. The focus on Zoe is fading... yet along the Street of Panepistimiou, it mysteriously reveals itself. The three simple black letters are discrete at the scale of the city, yet at the same time pronounced. The messages is a reminder to others of what it means to be Greek and more importantly, what it means to be part of a community; it sends the message of what Athenians yearn: life, independence, a sense of belonging and a desire to set your own destiny.

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Interior Spaces Study of the possibilities for a new type of work environment.

Consideration is taken for a rhythm between inside and outside, clustering of disciplines together and natural lighting.

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Second Variation No longer is it a double loaded corridor, allowing better ventilation and interaction to the outside. Circulation is now non-linear, allowing meandering through the space.

Third Variation Larger tables allow multiple disciplines to work together, while breakout spaces and gardens provide meeting places in the system.

Fourth Variation This scheme combining the strengths of the previous studies.

Large work-desks allows people with multiple perspectives to work together. These desks are positioned along the center, interrupting the linear circulation. Studios, gardens and breakout spaces supplements he main work area.

ATHENS

Deviation from the Traditional Platea The platea is/was the cultural glue of communities and critical for social and professional exchange of knowledge. It was designed for the scale of a village - a critical mass large enough to ensure its vibrancy yet small enough for users to take ownership. The scale reflected a smallness necessary to create a feeling of a collective. Today, many of Athens’ Plateas have deviated from the characteristics of the prototypical Platea.

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VILLAGE

Acropolis

The need for a new old type of Gathering Space Greece has a rich history of successful models for informal encounters, but Athens presents a gap in gathering spaces at the scale of the city block. The introduction of a platea for the city block introduces a scale of gathering space which is lacking in contemporary Athens, but a gesture which acts as a keystone for the proposed transformation of Athens’ city blocks into Micro-Agoras.

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Resources

?

City Block

Athenian Platea Village Platea

street Kouzina (kitchen)

LIBERATION MONO

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N FROM THE OLITH

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fluidity of space the polykatikia’s chamber has been permeated, allowing its contents to be released. The fenestrations of the once solid forms provides exodus for activity to ooze into the periphery. The engagement with the exterior spaces forms new relationships between exterior and program, where interior functions now naturally flow towards the exterior.

The osmosis of activity through the fine

permeation of the polykatikia lead to the disruption of the layered cake. When looking at the program between the threshold of interior and exterior, the layers although at one time aligned are now offest from one another. Engagement is therefore not only enhanced by integration of exterior spaces, but augmented by the displacement of layers across the threshold.

thresholds polykatikia’s characteristic domino inspired skeleton is encapsulated by the envelope. The flexible post and beam construction is conceiled behind the boundary of inside and out. Within this boundary exist openings, some of which are windows and others doors.

Such conditions not only

existing

new

Propagating the concrete frame to increase interaction between the existing Polykatikias (1:100 Model)

The precursor to the Athenian modern building unit (Polykatikia) Source: From Domino to Polykatikia

existing

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at this point there is no time or money to re-invent structure, instead we must implement a more intelligent strategy which utilizes the existing familiar construction system. the challenge is how can we re-configure the familiar to maximize communication, diversify spaces and create healthier/more organic environments?

Flexible Architectural “bones�

There is a need for more collaborative working space and a desire to attract more young talent to the center of the city, but is it necessary to re-invent everything? Can we keep the existing structural technology and re-direct our energy towards re-configuring spaces between the frame instead? The platform allows for an evolution of Athens rather than a re-invention, fostering much more organic growth

Polykatikia as a canvas rather than object A new circulation system coincides with the frame to reveal the energy behind the monolithic Polykatikias

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Polykatikias of the Test Site This city block contains a total of five Polykatikias built between 1965-1980. The thesis seeks to re-think the connections between program of these five buildings.

NW Pol yk

W Po lyka tikia

SW Pol yk atikia

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atikia NE Pol yk atikia

SE Po lyka tikia

Existing Polykatikia Circulation Currently, circulation between program is limited vertically, embedded in dark circulation cores with minimal interaction between neighbors within the city block.

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Circulation in the City Block Not only is it important to plug architecture into the circulation system, but it is important to extend circulation loops from the city scale into the city block. Multiple passages create redundancy in circulation, encouraging exploration of the city block. The thesis designs paths through the platea and between polykatikias. The circulation networks within the architecture and platea are designed in parallel and are intersected with the street network to allow public engagement with the activities of the block.

Three interventions have been designed to form a more networked city block. The aim is not only to link the program horizontally, but also vertically, helping reduce the “layered cake� effect of the city. The bridge links the NE and NW polykatikias. The Tower links the W, SW and SE polykatikia. The creation of the platea in the center forms a hinge between the Tower and Bridge intervention, providing a central node for the users of the block at the point of converging paths.

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Studio Space A series of models at a myriad of scales were used to study the impacts of form to the ciruclation and urban composition of Athens

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Form and circulation were explored in sync to discover the potentials of the site and conditions. The resultant architecture found a solution which reimagined the circulation of the city block while absorbing newly built common spaces.

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65

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Exploring possibilities of occupying between polykatikias.

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MINIMUM INT

Re-working the entire site goes too far, but the bare mini from the minimum for Athens to act more co

imum is not enough. Therefore how far must we deviate ollaboratively akin to clusters of micro-agoras?

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TERVENTIONS

Three Interventions Distilling the Strategy to three interventions, the new injected architecture takes form of a Bridge addition, Tower addition and Platea/central square to unite the existing program of the City Block.

Tower

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Bridge

Pla tea

from athens public market

from platea monastiraki

1 2

Tectonic Forces of the City Block Illustrating existing structures in black, public spaces in grey and a new circulation system in red - all forces present in the site used as a driver to create the new micro-agora

4

8

16 m

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Existing Circulation Taking an interest on the four Polykatikias on the test site, current circulation only provides adequate circulation with the street.

New Circulation = New Micro-Agora With the new common work-spaces/ architecture in orange, the re-designed circulation route is no longer limited to interactions with street. Instead, meandering through new spaces encourages unexpected encounters with different people and disciplines

Current Polykatikia The current Polykatikia’s monolithic form

Unoccupied areas The intentions are not to displace people from their existing workplaces but rather inject program into under utilized areas

BREAKOUT

CONFERENCE S P A C E S R O O M S

GALLERY BOOK

COMMON KITCHEN

P R I N T STACKS CENTER

STUDIO SPACES

OPEN CPU D E S K SPACE

EXHIBITION S P A C E

S P A C E INSTRUCTIONAL S P A C E S

READING ROOMS

COMMON

PROTOYPING M E E I N G

Injection of common areas Print shops, meeting rooms, prototyping spaces are all resources typically reserved for much larger companies

A new way of circulating Much more then just program, the new system allows a new way of interacting and collaborating with their neighbours

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BREAKOUT

CONFERENCE S P A C E S R O O M S OPEN CPU D E S K S P A C E

food and entertainment

COMMON horticulturist

GALLERY BOOK

artisans

EXHIBITION S P Amusician C E

chef

baker

P R I N T STACKS cinematographer CENTER

KITCHEN

STUDIO SPACES

COMMON

PROTOYPING M E E I N G INSTRUCTIONAL S P A C E

professionals + academics

academics

entrepreuneurs

S P A C E S

READING R Oengineer O M Scomputer programer

shared resources

design

painter

marketing director

industrial designer

graphic designer

ceramics artist

academics

clothier

shoe maker

blacksmith

industrial designer computer programer repairmen

trades + craftsmen

seamstress

blacksmith

musician craftsmen

shoe maker

chef

network of micro-agora city blocks

city block BREAKOUT

CONFERENCE S P A C E S R O O M S OPEN CPU D E S K S P A C E

and entertainment

COMMON horticulturist

GALLERY

STUDIO SPACES

BOOK EXHIBITION baker P R I N T STACKS

artisans

KITCHEN

cinematographer CENTER

chef

S P Amusician C E

COMMON PROTOYPING M E E I N G INSTRUCTIONAL S P A C E

S P A C E S

professionals + academics

READING R Oengineer O M Scomputer programer

academics

entrepreuneurs

shared resources

design

rades + craftsmen

industrial designer

painter

marketing director graphic designer

ceramics artist

shoe maker

academics

clothier

blacksmith

industrial designer computer programer repairmen seamstress

blacksmith shoe maker

musician craftsmen

chef

city block

Resources of a Large Company To maintain a sense of smallness yet recognizing the need to compete globally, a sequence of common spaces needs to be injected into the city block in order to allow it to act like a much larger entity. Resource sharing not only makes these spaces financially viable, but also encourages collaboration and cross disciplinary encounters

clusteringcommunities within informal athens

network of micro-agora city blocks

social lounge

book stacks/ reading

conference rooms

book stacks/ reading room

drawing lab open workspace

open workspace print bridge

common workspace

BRIDGE

prototyping

Prototyping + Design Spanning between two buildings of artist studios, craftsmen etc, the bridge aims to centralize facilities geared towards hands-on exploration. The spaces are arranged as a sequence of interlocking double height spaces and flexible enough for creative processes.

outdoor mock-up space common kitchen

group meeting space

meeting space gallery space instructional room

outdoor teaching theatre

social lounge

book stacks/ reading room

book stacks/ reading room

common workspace

group meeting space

instructional room

TOWER

Academic Research Designed as a place of teaching, reading and reflection, the tower complements the bridge in the amenities it provides. Circulation wise, its helical nature allows the union of circulation systems of the W, SW and SE Polykatikias

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to bridge

to tower

PLATEA

Binding the System Together A Platea (Greek Public Square) is designed in the city block`s core and draws its energy from the occupants of the block and the surrounding street network. This space is not only intended to create a public space at the scale of the city block, but also connects the bridge with the tower interventions. As in the Ancient Agora, a circulation artery dissects the Platea.

1

2

4

8

16m

TOWER

PL

New View

Existing View

Manolis` workshop in the North East Polykatikia’s fourth floor.

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LATEA

BRIDGE

Manolis’ workshop is his pride and joy and important that we do not displace him from his personal workplace.

Re-designing the back wall creates a connection to the bridge addition, so existing workshops can better communicate with the activities of the city block - allowing individual activities to act as a system.

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Diversity of People Across these transverse sections, the new architecture acts as a bridge between the new and the old. Worker spaces are not modified and people are not displaced, instead an injection of common spaces and diversification of the system is emblematic of the need for collaboration, not just in production but in the duality between new and old architecture and new/old city systems.

existing

new architecture

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existing

TOWER

Intersections The central Platea become the glue for the city block - at last, the workers of the city block have a shared common space they can call theirs. Connecting the Platea to the architecture are the Tower (academic center) and Bridge (prototyping and design center). Unlike the transverse sections which illustrate a bridge between the new and old, the logitudinal section manifests the individual architectural interventions into a unified system.

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BRIDGE

PLATEA

PLATEA

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BRIDGE

print

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conference room

drawing room

group meeting

t shop

prototyping

kitchen

social lounge

bookstacks/ reading room

common workspace

meeting space

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TOWER

TOWER

Existing condition

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Proposed North facade of Tower Building

model at 1:200, viewing north

BRIDGE

Existing condition

99

New South Facade of Bridge Building and newly created seating gesturing the Platea

model at 1:200, viewing north

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North Approach to Site illustrates how the bridge intervention takes over abandoned portions of adjacent polykatikias.

ATHENS, CITY

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OF CANVUSES

TOWER

North Elevation (1:100) The Permeable/transparent North Facade allows for communication with the inner Platea (which is addresses). Thermal mass to curb overheating and glare is concentrated to the South.

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Circulation (1:100) The un-precious materiality of these models allows them to be working models as well as presentation models. The hybrid technique of model and drawing allows for investigation of 3D circulation through the system.

BRIDGE

North Elevation (1:100) North facade of Bridge addition. Illustrated is the use of walls as a platform for disseminating ideas - a building of canvuses.

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PLATEA

Existing conditions.

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PLATEA

111

Adding rather than Displacing The masterplan addresses the need to augment facilities and diversify users yet not displacing individuals from the existing system. Such a vision required a re-imagination of the city block as a collage of smaller interventions rather then a large singular gesture.

The new system spans between the old - allowing existing workshops to better communicate with the activities of the city block - transforming individual activities to collective thought. Dealing with architecture in a time of crisis, resources are not wasted on inventing a new structural system. Rather, the current plaster walls and concrete frame structural system is retained and effort is directed towards re-configuring the tectonics to create a new type of communication.

Lykavitos Hill

Acropolis

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Agean Sea

Desmos: Design, Inventiveness and Collaboration in a Time of Economic Recovery