The current thesis focuses on thedesigning of a construction project at the Cedar-covered- hill area, now known as Seih Sou in our days, in the north-eastern part of Thessaloniki. It is about the reconstruction, redesign and use of an old Café, once used as the house of the forest guard. The project aims at the configuration of a complex of buildings that includes, an awarding scholarship hall for students of schools of Art, an art exhibition venue, and also a guest accommodation. A pole of cultural and artistic interest for the whole European academic community.
The distance and its proximity to the two University City institutions, makes that place, an ideal choice. It can also be a motivation for the art-loving city dwellers to visit, willing to admire the art exhibitions and also enjoy a stroll in the green forest with the unique city view of Thessaloniki.
The building structure of the project consists of two basic structural elements;the reinforced concrete and the metal. The main volume of buildings consistsof reinforced concreteand brick coating. Arcades built with metalglass and grid are placed outwardly, contributing to the buildings’ connection. The visual effect of that process, places this project (at its own environment, with respect towards it and adapting this to the colour palette/ places this project with environmental respect, adapting it to the colour palette).
In the premises of the building complex, competitions, art presentations, lectures and screenings, are to be held while the possibility of accommodation will be offered to visitors. These actions will take place in a building complex (communicating by) linked through arcades while the windows of the spaces are placed in such way so as to give the feeling of continuation with the external space. In the outdoor environment there are green spaces in order to achieve a possible visual continuity of the complex along with the forest natural habitat.
The purpose of this construction ideais to give students the opportunity of distinction through competitions and exhibitions that are taking place in those premises, with the ultimate goal, of the international promotion of their work, achievement which will contribute to their professional rehabilitation and integration into the professional arena by offering them employment opportunities.
