This dissertation focuses on the aesthetic renovation and the functional modernization of the historic monastery of Saint Nicolas in Varses, in Tripoli.

The Peloponnese, where the monastery is located, is renowned not only for the natural beauty that offers to the visitor but also for some of the most important historical events in ancient and Modern Greek history. In ancient times, maybe the location of the monastery was renowned due to the fact that people used to adore springs as it was generally believed that in these places deities lived. Nowadays, there is a spring underneath the sanctuary of the church. When Greece became part of the Ottoman Empire, known as the Turkish rule, the monasteries of Peloponnese used to help people and during the revolution of Greece, monasteries boosted and supported financially the struggle of Greeks to free themselves.

The monastery of Saint Nikolas was founded in 1030 AD and since then it has been destroyed several times. In the beginning of this project there are three different architectural mappings of the monastery in three different dates: in 1850, in 1950 and nowadays in 2017. Afterwards there is an intensive analysis of the the current condition of the monastery, including the structural failures and the pathology of the construction. In the end, the architectural proposal is offered in order to accent the existing buildings, rearrange the functions needed to the monks and through an extension achieve the functionalism of the monastery.

The main goal of the architectural design was to make a proposal that would be financially achievable in these difficult financial times and at the same time serve the needs of the monastic community.

Supervisors: Triantafillidis Giorgos, Philippitzis Dimitris

Reference Number: 649

Personal thoughts and discussions with colleagues as well as fellow students were the starting point from which this project was developed. The processing of the subject on multiple levels along with the organization of the existing information on the subject into a system, led us to drawing conclusions on wishes, expectations and worries regarding work. In addition, nowadays, office buildings as we have known them in Greece, are now decaying and transforming into new different hybrid forms that are not binding in their use, leads us in designing an also flexible form of work space. In the heart of Athens, we search for residual spaces, the use of which is still pending, where our units will come to “grow”. We create workplace structures in the form of linear elements, to reinforce other people’s attempts to implement an idea. Thus, the space works as a place that receives those who attempt to organize and also apply their plans. We used machine terms in the composing process of the production of the work units, starting from a stable structure that deconstructs and receives new smaller ones that change it on a plan level. The people, as active users of the space, “decide” with their actions on the plan program and the space conditions they need. The whole of the unit, as a structure, serves its users individually and aims at creating relations, not only between users, but also with the surrounding environment.

Supervisor: Gavrilou Evelyn

Reference Number: 617

The world's population aged 65 and over keeps rising and is expected to rise more in the future. As people age, they experience health problems and disability. Dementia is the most common health problem in this age group. This raises the question how these people are going to live in a dignified and positive way despite their illness. The purpose of this work is to explore how to design an alternative environment for older people and especially for people with dementia. An environment that offers more autonomy than traditional nursing homes and will allow its residents to have a more independent and satisfying lifestyle. Patients suffering from dementia have reduced mobility and it is difficult for them to engage in daily activities. This model is an attempt to create a type of community by incorporating services such as grocery shop, café and creative activities, giving the residents the opportunity to walk outdoors. In this way, they continue to participate in daily life activities such as cooking as much as they can and under the supervision of the nursing staff. More specifically the complex is a residential care unit for older people with dementia in Volos, which can accommodate up to 40 people. It consists of groups of 6-7 people and it is a combination of an assisted living facility and a nursing home. The complex includes besides recreational and social spaces, services for the elderly residentsof the neighborhood such as a small clinic.

Supervisor: Trova Vasso

Reference Number: 647

The purpose of the thesis is the design of the main facilities for a small monastic community located at the edge of the Pagasetic gulf, south of mount Tisaio. The region is near the village “Trikeri” and has a view of the Aegean Sea and the island of Euboea far south.

The chosen area retains a sufficient distance from the nearest urban center (Volos, 72km away) and is surrounded by nature. The natural landscape is kept intact except for some cases of the few local breeders and their handmade facilities.

The monastic community consists of 25 monks and has a capacity to accommodate 12 guests, (pilgrims/worshippers and researchers). The library and the various courses such as hagiography, traditional book binding techniques as well as lectures on introductory themes of Theology are the main themes that are available for each guest.

The architectural solution is not to be considered as a radical proposition regarding the way monasteries are designed. The main source of inspiration are the monasteries of Mount Athos. The characteristic central role of some building as the “Katholikon” is one of the main starting points of the design proccess, whereas the inaccessible manner of many monasteries built on steep hills or similar cases is considered of lesser importance in this project and the choice of the area was thus made so. Finally, attention was paid so as to produce a fully functional monastic life designed to fill the needs of introspection and Hesychasm, as well as recreation and worship.

Supervisor: Colonas Vassilios

Reference Number: 618

The aim of this diploma thesis is the identification and recording of the rocky and valuable area of Meteora, through a different technique and perspective with the use if innovative tools and digital media at all the stages if processing and production while creating a new three dimensional field of the studied area.Through the execution of parametric orders these forms are being transformed with the purpose of producing functional spaces and constructions, within the urban field of Trikala city. Through the execution of parametric orders these forms are being transformed with the purpose of producing functional spaces and constructions, within the urban field of Trikala city.

Supervisor: Vyzoviti Sophia

Reference Number: 644

The current research considers the creation of a musical park in Alexandras Avenue near Lycabettus and more specifically, on the 51000sqm land in Kountouriotika, where today stands Panathenaikos’ football stadium and also the empty space behind it. The reason behind the selection of this site is because of its inerest, where the stadium has left its mark for many years, to become a panathenean musical park, an open and accesible placewith music as its main concept, a sense that unites, calms and communicates to everyone a common language.

Thus, keeping the facade of the stadium towards Alexandras Avenue and the west side of the stadium as an open concert space, there is a very large opening so that the passerby is called to discover the new functions of the space inward. At the same time, there remains the trail of the eastern side of the stadium, where the so-called "Hindo's tomb" is located at a depth of 5m, laying the water element. In this way, a path is created, the limits of which are initially hard and absolute, but going up to Lycabettus, these limits break as the walker meets other music-related functions scattered around the place. In particular, there is a closed amphitheater of 2600sqm with a canteen on the terrace, music studios for musical ensembles (2x20sqm) and individuals  (12x10sqm), five rehearsal studios (4x35sqm), a recording studio (100sqm) with live room, control room and auxiliary spaces and a library (490sqm) with space-frame construction for reading rooms.

To conclude, the aim of this research is to bring the boundaries of Lycabettus hill into the park, creating a passage from the buzzing avenue to Lycabettus and a green field like a breath of coolness for the area.

Supervisor: Paniyiris Costis

Reference Number: 651

The subject of this diploma project is the design of a seaside hotel in the Plaka in Elounda is situated on the mountain slope to the entrance of the gulf, just opposite the island Spinalonga. The area is characterized as one of the most important tourist resorts of Crete as it has beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters which are awarded every year by the European Union with the Blue Flag. As a result of a range of accommodation have been built around it.

The land on which the hotel is designed located near the main beach of Plaka. The ideal land’s position at the entrance of the gulf gives the advantage of the best views both the Bay of Elounda and the Island of Spinalonga. The idea of the proposal is based on the inclusion of hotel landscape without major interventions maintaining soil harmony. The building is a single complex and follows the slope, while only a small part lies under the ground. An attempt was made to achieve natural lighting and ventilation throughout the hotel. Furthermore they are all oriented in the "Island" view.

Having studied the area for the best possible integration of the hotel to the existing natural environment and having noticed the problems, shortcomings and the potential of the area, this proposal seeks to exploit the advantages of location and wonderful views across the bay of Elounda.

Supervisor: Manolidis Kostas

Reference Number: 628

 This edition is delivered as part thesis at the Department of Architecture, University of Thessaly.

 The aim of this thesis is the upgrading and enhancement of the region Neon Pagason (Alykes), Municipality of Volos in Magnesia law. Programmatic intentions of work is expressed through the design of a cultural center, as well as through the renovation of the beachfront area.

 The aim of coexistence of the dwelling and the coastal axis is the creation and promotion of attractive and functional public spaces for the residents of the municipality but also for visitors. The building program is based on the needs of the urban environment and seeks to fill the role of conductor for cultural, artistic, educational, tourist and recreational events in the wider environment.

 Design wise, interventions in the coastal front are adjusted with surrounding geometries and seek the proper composition with the existing urban surroundings, allowing easy movement and the right conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. green surfaces, sports activities, meeting points, resting places, as well as urban planning adapted to local aesthetics, compose the overview of the new route.

 Meanwhile, the public space of the Cultural Centre is integrated on the same axis and creates concentration and discharge conditions as well. The building itself, acts as an attraction point for young and older people, for visitors, residents, and offers campuses (kindergarten, classrooms) artistically productive spaces (recording , photography and painting studios), and display areas.  Finally, summarizing the overall search range, this proposal will shape a new look of Neon Pagason, enhancing the quality of life in the region and acquiring a new identity in the Municipality of Volos.

Supervisor: Kanarelis Theoklis

Reference Number: 620