Architecture
PORTFOLIO Athanasios Nikolopoulos | Master in Architecture
Table of Contents Introduction
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University Career Design Thesis a.y. 2017-2018 Prof. Petros Koufopoulos Research Thesis a.y. 2016-2017 Prof. Petros Koufopoulos Architectural Design 8 a.y. 2014-2015 Prof. Dimitris Giannisis Architectural Design 7 a.y. 2014-2015 Prof. Giannis Aesopos Architectural Design 6 a.y. 2013-2014 Lect. Agapi Proimou Architectural Design 5 a.y. 2013-2014 Lect. Agapi Proimou
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Personal Project
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Biography
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Introduction The existing portfolio is a sample of the work throughout the academic studies. The projects displayed are not randomly chosen but are based on specific criteria. The main objective is the presentation of works dealing with architecture and urban design issues that have drawn my interest throughout academic education. Consequently, the majority of the proposed projects attempt to solve matters associated with the urban landscape and the city, through the design of structures, which due to their size and multifunctionality, affect the urban space, aiming to improve conditions or to reduce problems, depending on the case. All projects aim at the mix of multiple and different functions, to create poles, capable of transforming the urban framework. Also, another criterion of choice is the importance of the workshops in the curriculum. Lastly, all projects are works of the latter years of academic career, with high credits, and have been the result of collaboration with notable professors in the role of mentor.
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Design Thesis | Arch Upatras 2017-18 Supervisor. Prof. Petros Koufopoulos The Peiraiki Patraiki Project. An urban plan for the city of Patras The present Design Thesis deals with the regeneration of the former industrial shells of the Peiraiki Patraiki Textile and Cotton factory, with a view to the perspective of development and rebirth of the broader area. The reason for the design of this project was my Research Thesis, entitled De-industrialization_Urban Voids and Management Scenarios, the main subject of which was the de-industrialization and the consequences which are formed in the urban environment. The industrial sector is not strange to the city of Patras, as, during the last decades, many remarkable productive units developed, which contributed to the growth of the town in a smaller or a greater extent. One of the most well-known firms that have linked its name with Patras was the Textile and Cotton factory of Peiraiki Patraiki. Since the beginning of the 1980s, the first signs of economic distress were being observed - an indication of the industrial revolutions taking place in the country of Greece. The crisis also hit the Peiraiki Patraiki, and as a result, productivity decreased, thousands of workers were laid off, several withdrew, and the industry ceased its function in 1992. More than twenty years have passed, and the industrial complex remains deserted and abandoned, a void in the urban fabric of the city. The area of the old company, together with the adjacent manufacturing complexes of the former industrial district of the city, constitutes a largescale Brownfield, which disrupts the unity of the urban fabric and causes discontinuities in the road
network. The long-standing disinterest of the responsible authorities has caused a sharp drop in the value of these areas, compounded by the environmental pollution created by their earlier use. Nevertheless, similar degradation exists in working-class neighborhoods around the old factory, which are populated by lower social tiers, low-income residents, or unemployed people. The process of design and intervention on the area begins with the documentation and evaluation of the existing buildings. This process of evaluating and redefining shells consists of four phases. It takes into account parameters such as their perspective, function, scale, architectural interest, industrial heritage, the history of the industry, as well as economic factors related to the cost of demolition compared to that of construction, depending on the degree of damage and decay that each building has undergone. The last phase proposes the maintenance of five building complexes and the cleaning of land from the other industrial elements. The next step in the design procedure is the improvement of the existing system of streets and axes of the broader region, in which someone can find several impasses, some of which are formed by the factory area. It is evident that a particular planning system has not been implemented, as the building blocks are organized differently, in shape and extent, which prevent vehicle movement and therefore interrupt the road network. One of the foremost objectives of the design is the connection of the study area with the system of axes mentioned above. Thus, the plan proposes the opening of several deadlocks near the area and the join of the paths which were interrupted by the existence of the urban void. This design gesture also has some building losses, as it requires the extraction of a small percentage of the built environment to form the new fabric of streets and squares. Building blocks adjacent to the redevelopment region eliminate spatial discontinuities and
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promote a more conservative extension of future building structures. Advancing into the regeneration block, the fundamental objective is the connection of the arteries that approach it in a way that allows flexible pathways and diagonal movements within the plot. After the experimentation in a variety of forms, I come up with some curved paths that connect the entry and exit points of the plot in different ways. Then I attempt vertical movement on the area and the conjunction of the coastal front to the road, which descends from the neighboring roundabout and passing among the existing industrial structures. Based on the mentioned elements, a flexible vertical axis is formed, which ends up in the traffic flow towards the city to smooth the entrance and departure from the area. Taking into account this logical and design sequence, a central road axis, four secondary, and a pedestrian path are formed. The design of building volumes is based on the logic of function zones. Consequently, it is suggested the formation of four more extensive areas radially of the center that is created by the principal road and the pedestrian. The particular function zones are these that assist the regeneration scenario, which proposes the introduction of mass social housing structures, hotels, offices and commercial buildings, sports and cultural facilities, and other leisure activities. Lastly, concerning the design process, one move expected to have a positive outcome for the redevelopment project is the utilization of the coastal front near the new port. Considering all the above design movements, the developed masterplan of the area aims to reassemble the degraded urban void and generate a new pole of interest that intends to decentralize the activities and unilateral interest of the historic city center of Patras.
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Research Thesis | Arch Upatras 2016-17 Supervisor. Prof. Petros Koufopoulos De-industrialization. Urban Voids and Management Scenarios The impact of de-industrialization on urban space and, consequently, on the economic, social, and environmental conditions, was the primary concern of this research. The reason for the additional investigation on the issue and the introduction of cases and management practices at national and global levels was the appearance of such impacts on the city of Patras. Accurately, since the 1980s, Greece has entered a period of de-industrialization, assisted by recent events and international economic progress. The tertiarisation of the economy contributed to de-industrialization. This change has brought removal from the urban fabric of those industries managed to avoid the danger of bankruptcy resulting in the gradual expansion of cities. Consequently, the decentralization of industrial activities created spaces of small or large scale, whose buildings stocks decline, degrading the environment and character of the area as well as the social constitution by rising crime rate, unemployment, social problems and inequalities of the surrounding areas. At the same time, many of the central regions are becoming shelters for economic immigrants, who represent a broad category of the poor social tiers of European cities. The inactive shells of industries, mainly located in urban centers and port areas, contribute to the spatial shape of urban voids affecting the web of cities. Precisely, the term ‘’urban voids’’ refers to areas that have been affected by the former use of
building structures, are abandoned or underactive, have pollution problems, are mainly located in developed urban districts, and demand intervention to return in beneficial use. The subject of urban voids is a concern for countries that have experienced industrial development. Furthermore, through the cooperation of the parties involved, actions are being taken for the restoration of declining land. In the case of Greece, the Brownfields issue exists, despite the lesser degree of industrial growth that the country has experienced. Specifically, the fertilizer factory in Drapetsona (an area near Piraeus), the textile industry of Peiraiki Patraiki in the city of Patras, the former airport of Athens in Ellinikon, the area of Elaionas in Athens, and the old Allatini factory in Thessaloniki confirm the problem in the country’s major urban centers. The common denominator in all cases is the abandonment and devastation of buildings, the deterioration and economic decline of the surrounding areas, and the absence of a strategy to exploit and develop them. Regularly, despite the actions being taken, the implementation of regeneration programs faces a variety of obstacles. A significant problem is the failure of the responsible authorities to collect information about the ownership status, location, and total extent of Brownfields. Investors’ wariness stems from the absence of a legislative framework that sets a due responsibility on those liable for infection and those responsible for their recovery. Lastly, in some cases, obstacles arise also from the political expediencies of government bodies, which serve their interests. The challenges mentioned above imply an investment risk and make expansion in unexploited regions more attractive.
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Therefore, the rehabilitation measures are necessary, as well as the methods in which the obstacles will be overcome. Consequently, it is a major issue for every associated group to explore management methods to achieve growth in deprived areas. In Greece, there are not sufficient examples of
problems still exist in the Greek territory. It is, therefore, necessary to raise awareness on all the parties involved in solving the issues that arise from the ongoing existence of urban voids. Greek cities suffocate by the dense urban fabric and lack of open places. Regeneration processes for industrial land can lead to the economic development of more extensive urban areas, bringing multiple benefits. The restoration allows protection of the industrial heritage but also connects the old with the newly built context. The approaches of Gasometers in Vienna, HafenCity in the docks of Hamburg, King’s Cross Terminal in London, Parc Andre Citroen in Paris, and Emscher Landscape Park in Duisburg show the direction to be drawn. In Greece, projects of a similar scale are limited, although attempts to reuse individual buildings are being made with decent results. Within a demanding economic environment, any redevelopment initiatives must be accepted by the state and society, as long as it is in everyone’s interest. The above passage is a summary of the research thesis, which includes the complete analysis as well as a large number of pictures and diagrams detailing the subject. This version of more than 150 pages has been printed and published in the library of the Patras School of Architecture.
exploitation, but on the world map, there are various concerns on this subject. If someone focuses on the study of how to deal with historic industrial sites and degraded urban areas in general, it would not be challenging to come up with some scenarios for their future. The first management scenario proposes the destruction of all industrial structures and buildings that have lost their character and function, intending to clean industrial debris and environmental pollution. The second scenario promotes the destruction of a part of the building volumes, which is considered insignificant. At the same time, it demands the maintenance of the remaining parts, intending to reuse them. The third scenario highlights the conservation value of all industrial infrastructure and, thus, its radical restoration and reuse. The form is preserved, although the previous functions are replaced by different ones. The next scenario promotes the idea of decorative philosophy. The remaining pieces of the building blocks and technological equipment are presented as decoration or exhibition components, creating a showcase of architectural or non-architectural elements. The following scenario is presented as the most desirable one, as in this approach, groups are considered as single sets and integrated as historical segments into new uses and functions. At the same time, the use of the old one also functions as an educational object or exhibit. The latter scenario is divided into two categories, as there are common approaches. The first approach includes the preservation of building volumes and the addition of new parts. At the same time, the second one also supports the conservation of the existing buildings, but because of the potential damage, proposes the construction of an additional metal shell inside or outside of old structures. The de-industrialization has brought about many changes in the status quo of the last decades. The configuration of empty use and program areas triggered some adverse situations. The above
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Arcitectural Design 8 | Arch Upatras 2014-15 Supervisor. Prof. dimitris Giannisis Train Terminal of Patras Patras is one of the largest and most populous cities in Greece. It also has one of the biggest ports in the country, serving ships to Italy and the islands of the Ionian Sea. Patras is about 300 kilometers from the capital of Greece and is connected by a new highway that facilitates the movement from one city to another. One means of transport that has disappeared from the city in recent decades is the train. The railway that once connected Patras with the cities of Peloponnese and Athens has stopped its operation for a long time. The purpose of the architectural studio was the research, study, and design of a new train terminal, which would act as a reference spot for the city of Patras and restore the connection with other cities through a modern and super speed means of transportation such as the train. The site chosen to host these facilities is an old train station, whose buildings are abandoned or function as warehouses in which are stored various materials for the construction of railway lines. This particular field is elongated and borders on the coastal highway. Opposite the plot is located the central gate of the old port of Patras, while on the other sides of the property, there are mainly housing blocks. In addition to the proximity to the port, the area is not far from the business center. It is also an area of increased traffic since it is a point of departure from the city. The selection of this parcel was not accidental. Both because of its extent and location, it favors the
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simultaneous creation of functions or uses corresponding to the station. Consequently, the addition of a shopping mall and a railway museum in the project aims at the construction of a new business, transport, and culture cluster, which will give a different impetus to the city and certainly help the economic development of the broader area. The design process begins with an evaluation of existing building installations, which are demolished due to waste and non-functionality, thus creating a vacant plot. The next step is the design of an orthogonal grid that will be the basis for shaping the forms of the new facilities. The main idea of the design of buildings is the parallel sequence, that is, forms parallel to each other but with different heights and lengths. This approach is also a reference to the arrangement of the tracks and docks of a station, which are positioned parallel to each other at particular distances. The constructed buildings are characterized by elements of modernism, such as free plan, which is achieved by the absence of many separating components and by the use of several vertical columns that constitute the bearing structure. Moreover, the large elongated facades of the building are covered by glass that favors natural insolation of the building and the view from inside out and vice versa. The use of concrete provides a rough picture of the overall project, which, however, is lessened by the application of metal and glass, which give the cluster a light character as if lifted from the ground.
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Arcitectural Design 7 | Arch Upatras 2014-15 Supervisor. Prof. Giannis Aesopos Live Below the Ground.. The Elaionas Project Elaionas (Olive Grove) is an extensive area in the Athenian web which does not, however, show the characteristics of a typical building block system. If we could characterize this area of the Greek capital, we would refer to it as a large urban void, a gray zone that interrupts the continuous urban tissue of the city. The area consists mainly of abandoned industrial buildings, which are no longer functional. Besides, there are several metal recycling yards, bus terminals, some housing complexes targeted at lower-income bands of society and some fields of land covered by olive trees. Furthermore, it is an area with low estate values, a fact which although does not draw investors’ attention. As a result, this urban void remains an area of degradation. The purpose of this architectural studio was the research and design of a residential complex on a parcel of this area, as well as the connection of houses with the cultivation of the soil, the conversion of the agricultural goods and their sale. Consequently, the main objective of the workshop was the exploitation of a large plot of Elaionas for the construction of dwellings, industrial units, and market halls. The ultimate goal of the project is to attract young people and families to the area who will be working as farmers and living next to the farmland. This action intends to form a cluster of production and residence, which can be a model for the complete development of the area through the exploitation of wasteland.
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The initial design movements are the demolition of the old buildings in the selected parcel except from two that preserved, and the drilling of an underground stream that crosses the plot and partially supports the supply of fields with water. The next move is to create a grid of horizontal and vertical lines covering conceivable the plot and is the basis for the siting of the residential clusters. The main characteristic of clusters is that they are constructed at different levels, and most of the houses are below the surface of the soil, which favors the exploitation of terraces for agricultural purposes. The houses divided into three typologies depending on the individuals who have to accommodate. The different types of dwellings create six larger complexes arranged on the plot and connected by outdoor paths. Alongside the stream are formed surfaces that allow walking beside the water element. The two conserved buildings are used as warehouse and processing units for agricultural products as well as a marketplace with benches tailored to the variety of goods. Finally, one of the project’s elements is the car parking with the construction of three underground spaces to meet the needs of the inhabitants, workers, and consumers of the market. Lastly, it should be noted that although a large percentage of dwellings are on the lower levels, their arrangement favors the creation of outdoor spaces and courtyards that help the insolation of the apartments’ interior.
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Arcitectural Design 6 | Arch Upatras 2013-14 Supervisor. Lect. Agapi Proimou Museum of Contemporary Art of Patras The aim of the particular Design Studio was the discussion around the issue of the exhibition of modern artworks and the design of a space that would cover those needs and become an attraction for residents and visitors of the city. Through a series of lectures, discussions, and dialogues, it was concluded that this space must go beyond the narrow boundaries and specifications of a conventional museum. Furthermore, it should not be restricted, limiting in this way the artistic expression. A museum of modern art must adapt and take on different forms depending on the exhibition conditions or needs. Therefore, the main objective was the creation of a museum that can be changed to vary and shape its exhibition areas depending on the size of the projects and the artists’ wishes. At the same time, the design sought to integrate functions so that the museum could be accessible to all ages and people of different educational backgrounds, as visiting a museum should be an entertaining and educational process that combines not only the observation of exhibits but also relaxation, socializing and gathering in proper dining areas. The place which was chosen for the museum is a building that previously housed the services of Patras’ port. This building, which is abandoned for many years, is located on the south side of the old port, very close to the waterfront. Its form has all the characteristics of modernism, as circular pillars support the building, thus creating a free plan, separated by vertical elements. Additionally, the facades have glass panels that allow the insolation of the building and the best view from
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the inside.
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The building undergoes a series of design changes to accommodate its new function and make it more operative. The basic movements are the maintenance of the bearing structure and the removal of the vertical elements of floors and facades. The next move is quite radical as it proposes the creation of large openings on each floor with the intersection of the horizontal plates of the building. A system is also created in which platforms move up and down, forming different shapes and floors. Some platforms are in constant movement in order to serve vertical circulation while others remain still, depending on exhibition needs. The rest of the museum’s functions are developed in the second volume of the building. Offices, restaurants, cafeteria, auditorium, library, reception, sanitary facilities are some of the different functions enclosed in glass clusters, which allow a freer movement between them. The final step is the creation of a metal system that helps the placement of perforated concrete panels on the sides of the building, allowing natural insolation of the building.
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Base Plan
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Second Floor Plan
Third Floor Plan
Top Plan
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Arcitectural Design 5 | Arch Upatras 2013-14 Supervisor. Lect. Agapi Proimou Experimental School of Patras The area of the site is a residential district of the city of Patras. On-site, there are facilities of the public electric service, mainly warehouses, old offices and other spaces which are underactive. The broader area mainly consists of residences and olive groves. A railway line, which is used for routes from Patras to the suburb of Rio, is placed on the northern boundary of the site. Near the site is the national axis that connects Patras with Athens, as well as secondary smaller roads that serve the residents of the area. The site is oriented towards the Patraic Gulf at the north, and the sloping morphology of the terrain favors the view towards the bridge of Rio Antirion. The primary idea for the plot was the creation of a school that serves the needs of inhabitants of the wider region. There is not an educational institution in this area, so students have to move longer distances to get to school. The new school was also intended to function as a center for the cultural, sporting, and social activities of the community. Therefore, the main idea was to build a multi-activity pole with a central focus on education. The complex is located at the highest point of the plot and in direct connection with the surrounding streets. Its form is determined by the logic of the different zones, each of which has a distinct function. Therefore, the main design intention is the existence of four zones, namely education, sport, culture, and parking. Primary and secondary circulation corridors separate these operating
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zones. The construction of the volumes follows the slope of the ground, aiming at the best possible viewing. The height differences between the facilities allow the user to have a seamless observation towards the bridge. As far as functional zones are concerned, they are separated by a central axis, on each side of which are placed the building blocks of high and secondary school. Each school complex consists of four volumes of classrooms and laboratories, one volume of offices and a school cafeteria, an open court with stands, and an indoor gym with a field and locker rooms. Classrooms are south-facing to take advantage of natural lighting. Also, on the north side of the classes, there is a corridor and courtyard with trees and benches. On either side of school complexes, there are two parking zones, while in the lower part of the total project is placed the cultural zone, which includes a theater, with stage, backstage, and emergency corridors. The theater is structured beneath the surface of the ground, while on the sloping surface above the theater are created stands that form an open-air theatre for various outdoor events. The construction of the complex is implemented with three basic materials, concrete, glass, and metal.
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Personal Project 2019 Se(a) Through House The house is located in the north district of the beautiful island of Mykonos. The view of the plot is magnificent, and the purpose of the design proposal is to exploit it. This vacation house is designed for a three-member family, and there is also the concern of hosting some visitors. The form of
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the two-story house is based on an orthonormal grid system. The grids creating the two different levels are not overlapping, but each one has undergone a turn in orientation to avoid the formation of a structure that relates to a box. This shift also produces a semi-outdoor space and gives two different points of view to the sea. The ground floor includes the living room, the kitchen, the dining room as well as two auxiliary spaces. The second floor contains the bedrooms, one large and two smaller with a shared bathroom. The turn of the two levels also generates a large terrace from which the resident can enjoy the sun and the magnificent view. Finally, the house is in direct contact with the suburban road, which facilitates access from the motorway to the plot.
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Biography About me Athanasios Nikolopoulos was born in Patras, Greece, in 1993. He lived in Patras during his school years. He graduated from the School of Architecture of the University of Patras with a Master’s Degree of 8.2/10 in 2018. He is interested in furthering his studies at the post-graduate level focusing on architecture and urban design. His diploma project ‘’The Peiraiki Patraiki Project, An Urban plan for the city of Patras’’ (June 2018) under the supervision of Professor Petros Koufopoulos took 9.38/10, while his research thesis ‘‘De-industrialization. Urban Voids and Management Scenarios’’ also under the guidance of Mr. Koufopoulos took 9.9/10. He knows English and Italian. Moreover, he loves traveling, reading, and discovering unique things about architecture. Athanasios is currently working as a freelance architect and is always interested in new challenges.
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