During the diploma study, two long-stay hotel units for master, doctoral students and researchers were designed. The plots are located in Kifisia. Plot 01 has an area of 10,893 m2 while plot 02 has an area of 21,314 m2 and a smooth incline of 4 meters. The plots are near Kifisia train station, Athens-Lamia national highway and next to a bus stop. The aim was to create energy self-sufficient units with crop fields in their surrounding area.
During the design part of the study, it was decided for half of the building to be sank for protection from weather conditions and to retain space for external configurations.An underground bridge, designed at 3m beneath the surface, connects the two plots while the commercial and entertainment functions are also on this level. Above the ground, the construction resembles 2 low height rises, blending with the urban design of the surroundings. A volume of 10m width was removed from the center of each rise, along their entire length and height, creating an atrium on the basement level.
The design was based on the solid and void concept and the final result was assisted by the vertical movement on the floors which is done in three ways. First with the staff stairwell placed on the outer boundary of the building, second with the main stairwell for visitors placed on the inner boundary of the building and third with a staircase that connects the ground floor with the basement and ends up in the atrium courtyard. Thus, the apartments of the tenants were placed on the outer boundary overlooking the surrounding area, while the movement corridors overlook the central courtyard of the basement.
The design for the crops fields, are small plots separated by alleys that end up to platforms with dense natural shade, while in plot 02 public sport courts are added. Finally, the overall environmental footprint is reduced by the use of locally sourced construction materials, the use of solar panels on the roof for self efficiency in energy and the utilization of leftover crops as fertilizer.
