Kozani central (Niki’s) square

2010, Kozani

Type:  Panhellenic Architectural Competition

Prize: 1st Follow-Up Prize

Size:  m²

Status:  Ideas-drafts

Architects:  Giannis Papadopoulos, Vassilis Papadopoulos

Architects collaborators:  Vasiliki Maltezaki, Eva Karagkizidou

The project is developed on a zigzag axis running through the entire area under study. This is the main compositional tool of the proposal,which encapsulates the central concept: “A chthonic force tearing the upper layer of the square’s ground just like a rift. The ground on both sides of the rift sinks, rises and slopes, while heavy planting and water burst through its inside.”

This carving into the landscape continues the axes of the city while organizing the square into the main circulation and stop spaces, defining the main accesses to and boundaries of the site. In addition, the juxtaposing relation between the horizontality of the movement zones and the verticality of the ‘static’surrounding historic buildings, turns the square into their showcasing(or exhibiting)space.

The secondary elements of the proposal are developed onto this axis, resulting into the freeing-up of valuable empty public space. Specifically, the terrain “rifts” along its length to bridge the height differences, creating either stepped passages, tiers, ramps or barriers with levels, natural embankments, green and water areas.

For the main paving, a pattern of alternating parallel zones is used. It extends to the inner area of the square and to the surrounding streets like a carpet, emphasizing the continuation of the space while the rhythmic alternation of the two zones give a sense of orientation while decreasing in scale inside the large gap of the plateau.