The subject of this thesis is the design of a platform that accommodates mainly leisure and recreation activities related to water, in “Enaerios”, a waterfront area in Limassol.
Through this construction it is sought a redefinition of the relationship between the sea and the cityscape of Limassol, which is being altered year after year.
Raising the coastline limits of the city and boosting the already existing activities in the area, this structure is meant to decongest the eastern coastal front of the city and convert the region into an activity center.
The area of Enaerios, for about eighty-five years (1904 -1988), was a point of reference for the residents and had great commercial and economic significance for the whole country of Cyprus. There by means of aerial railroad, sacks with asbestos from the asbestos mine located in the Village of Pano Amiantos, were delivered and stored until the time of export. Today, except from the pier that is preserved, nothing else reminds this area’s old image, but it still remains one of the most important areas of the city. It provides high density of visitors all year round and this is because it still combines activities of different nature, such as labour, trade, as well as activities of leisure and recreation.
Among other, activities of the same type are included in the platform and the need for their right combination, without one activity to negate the other, was set the basic form of the structure, which consists of constant and floating parts.
In general, the mild climate of the city of Limassol, and the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea, allow all year-round use of the platform, thus serving the users of the area, and the wider part of the city. At the same time , during the seasonal variations that affect the sea level, the floating parts of the construction are adjusted accordingly creating a different image every time, image that interacts with the city.
In addition to the use of the construction for leisure and entertainment, an energy production park of algae biomass will be integrated in the platform, open to the public, thereby connecting indirectly the area with its industrial past. The relationship of organisms like algae with the liquid element, and the growing interest shown in recent years for their contribution to the energy design are the reasons why they were selected to be included in the construction.
Finally, in the context of environmental design, in the construction there is a provision to deal with intense sunlight and the prevailing winds. Some elements of urban furniture are also customizable according to the seasons and the needs of area’s users.