This thesis project deals with the planning of a “design museum” at Nea Paralia, in Thessaloniki. It is a result of a suggestion for housing a collection that was created by Mr. Stergios Delialis twelve years ago, but it is still remains private. This stunning collection currently comprises of more than 3.500 design items and 6000 books that refer to the industrial design of the 20th century.
The chosen building plot belongs to the municipality. It has a triangle shape and it is a green area at the end of Nea Paralia. It is surrounded by important cultural buildings and it is right next to the “Macedonia Palace” hotel. The main consideration for the planning of the plot was the maintenance of the majority of the green area. The main effort was to combine the natural with the structural environment. The architecture composition of the building was based on the topography characteristics and the study of the surrounding plots. The design of the building was carried out by two basic axes: the flow of movements for the museum was executed based on the sense of draught and the gradual development about a big, central atrium, while the main concept of the enlargement of the museum was based on the sense of “exhibit on a pedestal”.
As far as the structure is concerned, the first two floors, which are the base of the building, constitute a heavy structure made of concrete and the third overhead floor is a steel construction that forms a lighter structure than the base. The main facilities of the museum are: permanent and temporary exhibitions, foyer amphitheater, digital screens, library, café – restaurant and workshop room with space for an outdoor exhibition. The purpose of including a workshop is to give an interactive character to the museum and yet to ignite the interest of young people for the concept of “design”. Thus, a place of studying and regular approach of new designing products will be created in Thessaloniki.