Moving land. That is how somebody would describe Yali island. Sandy ground, pines, extents of alsylion. Landscape is being moved, digged, reshaped. For 150 years a mining company sculptures Yali island.This permanent but constant change is embodied in the landscape, in the limits of island, its culture, in the life of the few residents.
The convention of the company with the municipality of Nisyros, which belongs Yali island, expires in 15 years. The excavation comes confronted with the history of place, while its limits meet a Neolithic settlement. Until that time and when the mining activities stop, aiming at the appointment of this geological and morphological unique place, we will follow certain strategies of a particular habitation, a different activation of Yali island. The proposed intervention aims at activating the island in a productive way, enforse its economic development and finally include it at the tourist map as a special destination.
The particular geomorphology of Yali attracts scientists from all over Greece and the world, combining geological, historical, archaeological and environmental interest. Therefore, a research interdisciplinary center is proposed, covering research relating to Glass and the Dodecanese in general. Moreover, the territorial composition of the island favors crops as pumice hold as much moisture as necessary to minimize the need for irrigation. Thus, vineyards will be cultivated, which are operated in conjunction with the winery.
The proposed intervention is placed in the neck of the island, on an axis wich divides it into two sections and forms a linear continuation of the breakwater. The linear approach, besides a strict cut off in a landscape that is very interesting to observe from the inside, also follows the linear process of wine production and also that of the scientific research. The axis is intersected by three paths that define different functions over the course of the visitor.
Moreover, a settlement in the old port of fishermen is redrawn, which will meet the needs of workers of the quarry, the research center and the winery. The hosting of the visitors is ensured by placing small guesthouses that can be installed or removed depending on the needs arising, near the irrigation platforms of vineyards.
During the tour around the open mine pit visitors discover new perspectives of a landscape that has changed dramatically due to mining. The island's touristic interest is also intensified by selected paths which lead the visitor to places and points classified and grouped according to the kind of interest.