Nowadays, it is of high importance to control the building rate and protect the coastal places that are threatened from the human presence. For my project I chose the St Nicolas area in Anavyssos of Attica, as it is a place of exquisite beauty threatened by the unorganized building development for touristy purposes. My proposal aims to draw the attention to this area, protect it and contribute to a controlled development.
A tombolo connects the St Nicolas Island with the mainland. In the east of the tombolo, there is a natural gulf with stagnant water where a unique biotope lies within.
To start with, I have drawn a footpath that enters and crosses the pine hill of the mainland and unites the last boarder of Anavyssos with St Nicolas. The route that the walker should follow is not drawn by a continuous footpath but there are some low-height supporting walls that point to the right direction where the footpath is interrupted. A light-weight stand for refreshments is placed at the meeting point of the footpath with the sea water, while nearby the footpath one comes across small gardens with local vegetation as resting stops for the walker.
When the path ends up in the water it converts into a platform (a pier) that connects it with the island. The path continues near the chapel with the small gardens and surrounds the whole island.
Apart from the above, I have placed a small Centre for Marine Research at the top of a hill in the mainland. This centre should address issues relevant to the protection of the local submarine life.
To conclude, my intention is to attract the interest to the beautiful spots of this area which haven't been developed yet, within the concept that mild intervention in the topography and appearance of an area brings people and life closer to nature, while at the same time respecting it.