01. restoration of institute manzoni
year_2023
location_Democracy Square, Thessaloniki, Greece
field_design in historical context
student team_Giannakouros Alexios_Giannakourou Styliani_Papadopoulou Alexandra_Papazi Anna
The Manzoni building, designed by Eli Modiano, is an example of rationalist architecture and is located in Democracy Square. Opposite the building, part of Thessaloniki’s western walls can be seen, while inside the plot, there are archaeological remains from the city’s Byzantine harbor.
The restoration proposal respects both the historical character of the area and the building itself. The facades facing Democracy Square and Moskov Street are preserved, while the floors are removed, and the rooftop volume is redesigned. Some openings are altered or removed, and new frames replace the existing ones.
The project enhances the connection with the city’s walls and the archaeological site by pedestrianizing Moskov Street and demolishing an office building in Democracy Square. Two plazas are created within the plot: a public one connected to the pedestrian street and a more private one in the northeast corner.
A key design element is a folded surface that organizes the building’s functions, extending over part of the rooftop. This structure shifts between floor, wall, and roof, adapting its form to different uses.
Visitors access the site via a platform on Moskov Street, which leads either into the building or down a ramp to the private plaza. The building’s new function is a foreign language center.
instrumental year_2024
location_Ortansia’s Stream, Thessaloniki, Greece
field_landscape architecture
student team_Giannakouros Alexios_Giannakourou Styliani_Papazi Anna
The Ortansia Stream is a neglected green space in the municipality of Triandria. It is part of the Konstantinidis torrent and serves as a natural boundary between Ano Toumba and Triandria.
Our redesign concept is based on four key points of interest, all connected by a central pathway running through the entire area. Illegal structures within the stream will be removed, and four new constructions will replace existing ones in the same locations.
The entrance to the stream begins at a square on Eleftherias Street, followed by an info point where visitors can learn about the site’s activities. Moving along the main pathway, we reach an urban farming area, shaped according to the route’s layout. Further along, there is a fitness zone with a resting area. Finally, another existing structure will be repurposed as a refreshment kiosk near Gymnastiriou Street.
We identified two important vertical connections within the site that we chose to preserve. One is a pedestrian path linking the two schools of the area and connecting Gymnastiriou Street to the entrance square. The second is an existing passage bridging Gymnastiriou and Ortansia Streets. To improve accessibility, a new bridge is proposed in the same location, enhancing connectivity between different zones of the stream.
addition of a football (soccer) field and shaded areas
main entrance to the stream with an info point explaining the stopping points and points of interest
design of bleachers and relaxation area
redevelopment of the courtyard area with sports fields and diverse materials
addition of urban communal gardens
year_2025
location_Tha Heua, Laos
field_architectural design
student team_Giannakouros Alexios_Giannakourou Styliani_Papazi Anna
The project THAXIS in Tha Heua, Laos is structured around a dynamic network of connections, integrating public and private functions across a cove. A continuous pathway begins at the pier, extending seamlessly into a bridge that traverses the water, passing through one tower and concluding at another.
This circulation route branches out, leading to public spaces such as the market and the community center.
At the end of the bridge, the final tower provides access to a cluster of temporary residences. A secondary axis reinforces the design, dedicated to agricultural production. The first system, aquaponics, follows a linear flow, directing resources towards a second cultivation area, accessible through the bridge and the tower.
The design is based on a system of fractured lines that connect, break, and multiply, accommodating functions and spatial elements.
The elevated bridge acts as a suspended condition, enhancing spatial experiences over water while reinforcing the interplay between movement, structure, and landscape.
wooden pergolas with perforated beams providing shade vertical circulation core connecting the village’s main pathway with the bridge level
movement axis with extensions functioning as resting areas and low planting zones
structural timber beam network
primary support unit of the wooden structure
concrete foundations
year_2024
location_Tsimiski str.,Thessaloniki, Greece
field_urban design
student team_Giannakouros Alexios_Giannakourou Styliani_Papazi Anna
The building we designed balances openness and privacy, creating spaces for social interaction while also providing protection from external conditions.
On the ground floor, a pedestrian walkway and a central plaza within the plot encourage interaction among visitors, attracting people to restaurants and shops. In the residential areas, the balconies follow a curved form, softening boundaries and promoting a sense of fluid movement.
Privacy is emphasized on the Ethnikis Amynis Street side, where a perforated metal façade shields the building from the strong Vardaris wind coming from the northwest while also ensuring privacy. The apartments face southeast to maximize natural light.
The structure is made of concrete, with 40x70 cm columns, and vertical circulation is provided by two main cores and an additional one dedicated to residents. The ground and first floors form a commercial zone with shops for the convenience of both residents and visitors. Offices and services are located on the second floor.
three vertical circulation cores
workspace and residential areas
The offices are located on the third floor, specifically designed with an open-plan layout and movable partitions to emphasize teamwork and collaboration. The flexible design allows for dynamic space organization.
ground floor and first floor
The ground and first floors accommodate the commercial spaces. The volumes are arranged in such a way that they create passages, leading to a sense of flow and movement throughout the space. This layout encourages exploration, giving the impression of a continuous pathway while maintaining clear zones for different commercial activities.
Apartment sizes range from 50, 80, and 120 square meters, catering to different housing needs.
reinforced concrete beam with dimensions of 40*40 centimeters
reinforced concrete slab with a thickness of 30 centimeters
plasterboard false ceiling
reinforced concrete column with dimensions 40 × 70 centimeters
double-height semi-outdoor space
05. mythologies
year_2024
location_Vardaris Fortress, Thessaloniki, Greece
field_architectural design
student team_Giannakouros Alexios_Giannakourou Styliani
The design of the Psychotherapy Center emerged through a process of experimentation with an orthogonal grid, leading to a volumetric composition that balances built and open space. The building consists of three levels, interacting closely with the existing greenery, which was intentionally preserved to maintain the site’s natural character.
A key aspect of the design is the interplay between the volumes and the metal structural framework, which defines both the architectural form and the spatial experience. This structural system allows for the creation of outdoor and semi-outdoor spaces, integrating the building with its surroundings while ensuring a variety of spatial conditions suitable for different therapeutic needs.
The resulting composition emphasizes the relationship between solid and void, where enclosed spaces alternate with open areas, promoting both privacy and connection to nature. This approach enhances the therapeutic environment, offering a spatial experience that aligns with the principles of psychological well-being.
This axonometric drawing illustrates the interior of a psychotherapy and discussion space located on the third and highest level of the building. It highlights the spatial arrangement and design elements that define the atmosphere of the space, emphasizing interaction within the therapeutic environment.
