Square & Park of Roman Forum

DEMOCRITUS UNIVERSITY OF THRACE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING

DIPLOMA PROJECT

SQUARE & PARK OF ROMAN FORUM THE ADVENT OF THE SUBWAY AS A RECLAMATION OF A PUBLIC SPACE OF CITY OF THESSALONIKI

SUPERVISORS: KOKORIS PANAGIOTIS PATRIKIOS GEORGE AMERIKANOU HELEN

STUDENTS: GEORGIA VOUKIA YAHYAEE-IGNATAKI ARIAN OKANTARIDI ANGELINA

ACADEMIC YEAR 2014-2015

DEMOCRITUS UNIVERSITY OF THRACE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING

SQUARE & PARK OF ROMAN FORUM THE ADVENT OF THE SUBWAY AS A RECLAMATION OF A PUBLIC SPACE OF CITY OF THESSALONIKI

SUPERVISORS: KOKORIS PANAGIOTIS PATRIKIOS GEORGE AMERIKANOU HELEN

STUDENTS: GEORGIA VOUKIA YAHYAEE-IGNATAKI ARIAN OKANTARIDI ANGELINA

ACADEMIC YEAR 2014-2015

CONTENTS:

6

INTRODUCTION

8

ANALYSIS HISTORICAL CENTRE OF CITY OF THESSALONIKI HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF THE INTERVENTION AREA

INTERVENTION AREA_COURTHOUSE SQUARE INTERVENTION AREA_PARK OF ROMAN FORUM INTERVENTION AREA_INCANTADAS STOA

22

PROPOSAL MASTERPLAN URBAN EQUIPMENT & SURFACES

34

NEW MUSEUM OF THE ROMAN FORUM

42

CENTRE OF A HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL NETWORK OF CITY OF THESSALONIKI

52

PHOTO INSERT

INTRODUCTION

6

Intention of this project is to create conditions for the connection and promotion of particular historical references of the historical centre of city of Thessaloniki. As well as, to revive and re-design central public open spaces, in order to enrich the existing outdoor spaces with several cultural and physical activities, in terms of a cultural network.

8

ANALYSIS

HISTORICAL CENTRE OF CITY OF THESSALONIKI The centre of Thessaloniki constitutes an urban fabric of a particular historical interest, that is reflected both in its built and open environment. The main natural feature of the city and more specifically of its historical centre is the marine front in Thermaikos Gulf and the boundaries of the Old Town. Two elements that determine its urban structure. Significant areas adjoining the eastern boundaries of the historic centre are the buildings of the Aristotle University and the Thessaloniki International Fair.

Regarding its road network, the main roads are Cassandrou Str., Egnatia Avenue, Tsimiski Str. and Nikis Avenue, while secondary ones are Agios Dimitrios Str. and Metropolis Str., parallel to the above and Benizelou Str., perpendicular to them. Key point of the analysis and further proposal, is the future Subway Line, which intends to cross through

Port and New Coastal Front

Primary traffic routes

Thessaloniki International Fair

Secondary traffic routes

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Pedestrian walkways

Old Town

Marine front

Historic Centre

Historic centre boundaries Suggested Subway Root

the historic centre and consolidate it with the eastern and western suburbs of the city.

Being an important asset for urban planning and further intervention in the study area.

The historic centre is densely built, with its few organized green spaces set to its boundaries. An interesting development for the urban planning of the city in the last decade, is the architectural proposals for the regeneration of many key areas of its centre and of course the implementation of some of them. In this context and on the occasion of this modern “reclassification� of the public open spaces of the city, due to the arrival of the subway, urban and historical elements of the urban centre were investigated and recorded, so as to study the relation of the public outdoor spaces with the historical parts of the city and the role of this relationship in the activity of residents and visitors of Thessaloniki.

Re-design - Intervention Suggestions

Outdoor Public Spaces

Old Port

Greenery Areas

Shopping - Business Centre

Buildings - Sites of Historical Importance

Residential uses combined with commercial

Marine front

Only residential uses

Historic centre boundaries

Main traffic routes: Egnatia Avenue

Suggested Subway Route - Benizelou & Ag. Sofias Stations

HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF THE INTERVENTION AREA

During the first two decades of the 20th century, Thessaloniki will be a political and social centre for the Balkan region: Ethnology, Macedonian Struggle, Balkan Wars, the Youth of Turkey Movement, World War I, Industrial Blossom, the Conflagration of 1917, the exchange of populations, the emergence of a labour movement and socialist ideas, the first women’s organizations, will be just a few of the most important events that will shape the new social relations, that would end up changing definitively and re-forming the city.

On August 18, 1917, “Few fire sparks from a galley burner on a heap of grass” was the beginning of the greatest catastrophe that the city experienced in modern years. It began in the Melvane district between the centre and the Old Town (today’s Olympiad Str.) and the reasons for its rapid expansion were the lack of water, the suffocating street layout, the absence of open spaces and, of course, the wooden construction of the houses. Leading to the complete destruction of approximately twothirds of the city: public buildings, luxury hotels, newspaper offices and printing companies, water and gas companies, schools, churches, mosques and synagogues, banks, warehouses, shops and homes. It is worth mentioning that the fire destroyed mostly Muslim and Jewish neighbourhoods.

The Liberal Government with Transport Minister Alexandros Papanastasiou will then draft a law that aims for the complete demolition of the burnt area, prohibits rebuilding without a government permit and proposes the establishment of an international commission for the elaboration of a new urban plan. This will involve the architects Thomas Mawson, Ernest Hébrard, A. Zachos, Const. Kitsikis, the engineers A. Ginis and I. Pleyer and the mayor of Thessaloniki K. Angelakis. The rebuilding of Thessaloniki by Ernest Hébrard is going to be the first major urban project of European urban planning and will eventually be named as Hébrard Plan.

Mevlane District

Ag. Dimitrios Church after the conflagration

Burnt area

Rogos District

The conflagration of1917

HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF THE INTERVENTION AREA The burnt zone is redesigned by ignoring the pre-existing property regime and existing land uses, and builds up adopting organizational and morphological models of European perception. The central area acquires an organized network of roads and public spaces, geometric features -that focus on the Byzantine monuments, and conceal the Ottoman-, eclectic architecture and high-rise concrete buildings.

The proposal included the re-design of Aristotle Square, the axis of Aristotelous Str. with its buildings on both sides, as we know it till today, and finally the Courthouse Square, where the court buildings were to be placed. Important for the history of the square will be the revelation (1962) and excavation of the Ancient Roman Forum (1962-1997). Being a fact that eventually led to freeze the project, as it was not yet possible the judicial mansions to be develop in the Court Square, according to the original plan.

In spite of the pressures from owners of the elite class, that the project was to be undertaken in order to continue with, it irrevocably dissolved with the declaration of the above mentioned excavation in the Courthouse Square as an Archaeological

Aristotelous Square in 1950

Site in 1966, thanks to the struggles of the Antiquities’ Archive Chief Fotis Petsas. However, at the point where the Hébrard Plan was able to be accomplished, it offered a great improvement to the city’s state, offering at the same time a modern European design and appearance to the city.

Courthouse Square existed through many different phases of design and uses over the years, without eventually succeeding in acquiring the historical significance and centrality attributed by its designers. Today it is one of the largest public open-air spaces in the historic centre, covering about 36.8 acres.

The Courthouse Square according to Hébrard’s concept

Aristotelous Square in1960

The design of the square that has hitherto been quite recent, was made on the occasion of the designation of city of Thessaloniki as the cultural capital of Europe in 1997.

It was the subject of an architectural research, as it searched for a restatement of Aristotelous axis. Finally, the space of the square was treated in terms of creating a central archaeological promenade and was reconstructed from that point of view.

The chief architect of the project for the redevelopment of the Courthouse Square was D. Simonis, who collaborated with the competent archaeologists of the antiquities’ archive, and more specifically with P. Veleni, in order to find a publicly accepted approach and design of that space, in terms of its historical significance.

Architectural proposal, D. Simonis

INTERVENTION AREA_COURTHOUSE SQUARE

Obtuse viewing angle_Wide optical views

Excessive alternation in the tiles’ patterns

Today, the Courthouse Square presents a particular physiognomy. Despite it’s geographically central location in the historical and commercial centre of the city, it still impresses the fact that it retains in certain areas the features of a neighbourhood square. It is characterized by it’s dense vegetation and planting, making it perhaps the most valuable green area for the densely-built centre of Thessaloniki.

Nevertheless, the existing formation of the square is poor in urban equipment, which seems to be dysfunctional in places. The problematic layout of the sitting and trafficking areas, as well as with inadequate night lighting, makes it difficult for people to walk through and meet. Finally, it is obvious its delimitation due to the roads which surround it, while there is observed also an intense inner-fragmentation of the whole square, often causing complications and spacial inconsistency.

Bey Hamam_Closed for public

Church of Panagia Chalkeon_Strong limits_Dense vegetation

Park of Roman Forum_Parked vehicles_Severance of the Park from the Courthouse Square

Poor urban equipment

Inadequate lighting

5.

“Green breath” for the city

4.

1.

3.

2.

INTERVENTION AREA_PARK OF ROMAN FORUM

1.

2.

Park of Roman Forum

Conservatory_Opened for public in 1997

Cafeteria’s Entrance

7.

8.

3.

2.

1.

Cafeteria’s Entrance

5.

Entrance for visitors

6.

4.

Entrance for museum’s vehicles

3.

Underground Museum of the Roman Forum_Only hint of the building’s existence, is its cafeteria, which is nowadays closed

4.

Crypt Stoa_Nowadays space of museum’s temporary exhibitions

5.

Entrance in archaeological space

6.

Crypt Stoa

7.

Cafeteria

The Ancient Roman Forum dates back to the end of the 2nd century BC. and was the main governing body of the city. All the ancient buildings of the area remained buried for centuries, and in 1962 came into light because of the intention of the reconstruction plan for the city of Thessaloniki after the conflagration in 1917. This unexpected event caused confusion and dispute between the capital owners and archaeology’s community. The capital owners supported the continuation of the original plan, while the opposing, argued in order to carry out an extensive archaeological research in the area. The controversy lasted for several years, subsequently hindering the realization of Hébrard Project, and only in 1966, after the struggles of the Antiquities’ Archive Chief, Fotis Petchas, the area of the ​​ Park of the Ancient Roman Forum was declared as an archaeological site. In these site, can be found the buildings of the Conservatory, the Crypt Stoa and the Valanio Building.

Significant for the archaeological site will be the use of it, as a prime open public space in 1997, when Thessaloniki is declared cultural capital of Europe. It will be open for public beyond hours which applied until then, remaining open throughout the day and night. Concerts and performances would take place at the Open Conservatory, and Crypt Stoa would host temporary exhibitions. A movement that may have been the cause of the redefinition of a great urban space of the city which, despite its initial use and importance, managed to become more actively involved in everyday living and created new perceptions regarding the interaction of the Historical City with the Modern one.

Combined with Thessaloniki’s declaration as European capital, the same year is designed and constructed the pedestrian walk of Aristotelous Str., starting from the marine front and ending to Egnatia Street.

Later on, in 2010, the Underground Museum of the Ancient Roman Forum would be built, where the findings of the archaeological excavations of the previous years would be exhibited. Nevertheless, its design failed to give hints of existence of the underground building to the surface of the Park, consequently the museum ended up remaining unknown to the citizens. The only indication of its existence today is the cafeteria, which is currently closed and the Crypt Stoa, where temporary exhibitions continue to take place.

8.

Museum’s Lecture Hall

INTERVENTION AREA_INCANTADAS STOA

A fact that was taken under serious consideration was an assumption of the archaeological community, that under the today’s layer of the square is located a stoa from the ancient times, which historically is recorded as Incantadas. The history of Incantadas is compared to the Elgin of Acropolis in Athens.

It is speculated that during Ottoman Times, many particles of the monument were detached from their original location, in order to be sold by merchants. While in 1964 the statues decorating the stoa were stolen by Frenchman Emmanuel Miller. These statues are exhibited till today in Louvre Museum. Archaeologists, however, speculate that there is still a large number of important archaeological monuments and findings under the current level of the Courthouse Square, as it is actually placed in the centre of the ancient city.

The original architectural proposal of architect D. Simonis provided for the creation of a pit to find the remaining findings of Incantadas Stoa. However, due to financial difficulties that came up during the execution of the project, an excavation was not possible eventually. As a result, in this particular part of the square, it is hosted until today a playground, with its strict limits. However, the location of Incantadas Stoa is quite obvious from the existing engravings and planning in this particular part of the square area.

Engravings depicting Incantadas Stoa during the Ottoman domination

Incantadas Stoa area_Nowadays playground area

Paper Model_Scale_ 1:1000

A prerequisite will be for the proposal to create this pit in purpose of finding any ancient evidence. It is considered as a necessity the upgrading of the archaeological space and its museum and the direct connection of it with the space of the square. The intention is therefore to extend the archaeological site of the Ancient Roman Forum and to unify it with the area of Courthouse Square. Aiming to consider the whole area as an open public park with historical importance, in order to entrain drastically in residents’ everyday living. Proposing at the same time an alternative relationship between the sites of historical significance and everyday living. An attempt to create the archaeological site along with the square, a common open space, open for any public and cultural activities.

Combined with all the above, the redesign of the entire surface of the square is also proposed, in purpose of rehabilitating both historic buildings located in the southern part of the square. Church of Panagia Chalkeon and its richly planted surroundings will become a more active part of the square, with no need for fencing and strong delimitation, as today. With the same approach, Bey Hamam’s area will be redesigned, keeping E. Hébrard’s basic inscriptions as yet another element of historic importance. The building itself will open its doors to the public, and the building will be considered itself as an exhibit.

Lastly, an effort will be made to extend the pedestrian axis of Aristotelous Str. till the Park of the Ancient Roman Forum in memory of the original intention of Hébrard Plan. Simultaneously, giving the pedestrian axis of Aristotle Str. the historic value it deserves, since it strongly characterizes the historic centre of Thessaloniki.

With these management, Courthouse Square will acquire a historical significance and will “speak out” about the history of city of Thessaloniki through its buildings.

22

PROPOSAL

MASTERPLAN COURTHOUSE SQUARE & PARK OF THE ROMAN FORUM & SUBWAYS STATIONS OF BENIZELOU AND AG. SOFIAS

Unification of Church of Panagia Chalkeon area with the square

Unification of the archaeological space with the square

Information Centre_ Paper Model_Scale 1:200

SECTION Α’Α

SECTION Β’Β

Paper Model_Scale 1:500

Paper Model_Scale 1:500

The proposal concerns the reintegration of a public space into city’s urban network and the incorporation of the region’s with historical reference points into them. The selected open spaces were redesigned and integrated into a network of public outdoor spaces, redefining the road and transport network of the area, with the ultimate goal of connecting the two future subway stations on Benizelou and Ag. Sofias streets, on both sides of the square.

Fundamental was the attainment of a mentally follow of the pedestrian street of Aristotelous, which would end up in three directions: Entrance of the archaeological space_”Balcony” over the park of the archaeological space_Entrance of the museum

New entrance in the archaeological site_In direct connection with the square

An important role in the design played the intense relief of the area, the density of the planting of the square, the large height of adjacent buildings, the contrast between land uses - between the southern and the northern part of the historic centre - as well as the wide views from the area of the square, due to the central pedestrian axis of Aristotelous Street.

View towards the sea and the horizon from the extended axis of Aristotelous

Α URBAN EQUIPMENT & SURFACES

Gravel Natural Pavement

Organized

Organized Vegetation-Planting Cast concrete

Cast concrete

Cast concrete with special colour addition

Soil

Pressed soil

Organized Vegetation-Planting Gravel

Cast concrete

Organized Paving

Cast concrete Cast concrete with special colour addition

d Vegetation-Planting Cast concrete

Concrete bench with wooden seat

d Vegetation-Planting Gravel Cast concrete

Wooden structure with sitting and planting areas

34

NEW MUSEUM OF THE ROMAN FORUM

NEW MUSEUM OF THE ROMAN FORUM

Α’ Α

GROUND PLAN LEVEL +2,00

EXCISTING AREAS OF THE MUSEUM

REPOSITORY SPACES

PERMANENT EXHIBITION: • History of city of Thessaloniki • Current exhibition • Findings from the archaeological excavation

TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS

EXTENSION PROPOSAL

ENTRANCE: • New entrance and foyer of the museum • Multi-purpose hall • Offices of the stuff of the archaeological community and employees

NEW MUSEUM OF THE ROMAN FORUM

GROUND PLAN LEVEL +6,50

GROUND PLAN LEVEL +9,50

EXTENSION PROPOSAL

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES

CAFETERIA

SECTION A’A

NEW MUSEUM OF THE ROMAN FORUM

View of the new entrance of the Museum of Roman Forum

View from the pedestrian walkaway_Previous Philippou street

ENTRANCE OF THE MUSEUM

Views of the new Museum of Roman Forum_Paper Model_Scale 1:500

42

CENTRE OF A HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL NETWORK OF CITY OF THESSALONIKI

CENTRE OF A HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL NETWORK OF CITY OF THESSALONIKI

The presence of many historical monuments in the centre of Thessaloniki is very intense, with some of them being part of everyday living, as they are important landmarks of the city. However, several reference points have not yet been incorporated as they should be in today’s urban fabric, with strong example the area of the Court house Square, which is the main intervention area of these project.

Along with the attempt to consolidate the Park of the Roman Forum, it is proposed the placement of an info box, which will function as a small information centre for the historical monuments in the wider area of ​​the square, as well as an informative institution for the contemporary cultural activities of the modern city. Combined with this building, the morphology and exterior configuration of the info box itself, as well as its location at a key point of the square, manages to create sitting areas and paths through an interesting switching of hard and soft surfaces. Eventually, the route from the southern to the northern part of the square and the Roman Forum, is accomplished through a continuous walk, rich in natural elements. Future intention could also be the placement of similar info boxes at key points in all the area of the historical centre of Thessaloniki, such as along Gounari and Rotonda axes, the New Port, the square of the Twelve Apostles, etc..

Cypriot Fighters Square

Ag. Dimitrios Church

Hamza Bey Archaeological site Information Centre

Church of Panagia Chalkeon Bezesteni Market

Church of Panagia Acheropoietos Paper Model_Scale 1:1000 Bey Hamam

Creating a cultural network in the historical centre of Thessaloniki.

In order to create a wider cultural information and educational network, one of the areas that meets these characteristics, is identified and analysed to function as such a public space. In this case, the Courthouse Square and the Park of the Ancient Roman Forum have features that can accommodate as such use. On the southern part of the square is located the Church of Panagia Chalkeon and Bey Hamam. Buildings of particular historical significance, each one of them being able to be represented as exhibit of themselves. While in the northern part of the square, is the Park of the Ancient Roman Forum and the underground museum of the archaeological site. It is also necessary to unify all the above with the whole area, as the limits of the surrounding area of ​​each monument is quite distinct, resulting in the constant segmentation inside the square. Within this network further monuments are included of the wider intervention area, such as Hamza Bey, Bezesteni Market and the Church of Panagia Acheropoietos, as well as the ancient Egnatia Avenue, which was revealed by the excavations at Benizelou Subway station.

CENTRE OF A HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL NETWORK OF CITY OF THESSALONIKI

GROUND PLAN LEVEL +2,50

Α

•Information spot of the historical city centre and cultural events •Cafeteria

GROUND PLAN LEVEL +5,50

Α’

•Small library and study area •Digital information spot

GROUND PLAN LEVEL +8,50 •Outdoor sitting areas and small amphitheatre •Connection of southern area of the square and playground with the northern one and the museum

NW AREA OF THE SQUARE_PAPER MODEL_SCALE 1:500

Playground_Paper Model 1:500

Sitting areas_Paper Model 1:200

Connection of Church of Panagia Chalkeon with the Square_Paper Model_Scale 1:500

CENTRE OF A HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL NETWORK OF CITY OF THESSALONIKI

SECTION Α’Α

CENTRE OF A HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL NETWORK OF CITY OF THESSALONIKI

WESTERN VIEW

EASTERN VIEW

Paper Model_Scale 1:200

52

PHOTO INSERT

CENTRE OF A HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL NETWORK OF CITY OF THESSALONIKI

Paper Model_Scale 1:500/1:200_Centre of Historical and Cultural Network of City of Thessaloniki

Paper Model_Scale 1:500_Design of the park as a continuation for the information centre

NEW MUSEUM OF THE ROMAN FORUM

Paper Model_Scale 1:500_New Entrance of the Museum of Roman Forum

Paper Model_Scale 1:500_ABOVE: Cafeteria - Educational Programmes

SUBWAY STATION AG. SOFIAS

Paper Model_Scale 1:500

SUBWAY STATION BENIZELOU

Paper Model_Scale 1:500

SUBWAY STATIONS AG. SOFIAS - BENIZELOU

Paper Model_Scale 1:500_Subway Station Ag. Sofias

Paper Model_Scale 1:500_Subway Station Benizelou

S.E. AREA OF THE SQUARE - BEY HAMAM

Paper Model_Scale 1:500

Paper Model_Scale 1:500

We would like to thank our supervisors for their guidance throughout our research, as well as our friends and fellow students for their support.

Special thanks to Myrto and Danai, for staying up until late, helping us...

XANTHI 2015

DEMOCRITUS UNIVERSITY OF THRACE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING

ACADEMIC YEAR 2014-2015