Landscape Architecture Internship WORK

Design proposal to increase functionality and enhance the landscape by native plants at the archaeological site of Kolona, Aegina island, Greece P a pa f o t i o u M. , M a r c o M a r t í n e z G., P e t r o c h e i l o u A.

and

K a n e ll o u E.

Laboratory of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Department of Crop Science, School of Agriculture, Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55 Athens, Greece.

L o c at i o n The archaeological site of Kolona is located in a peninsula, in the Northwest side of the island of Aegina. It contains settlements dating back to the prehistoric era up to the byzantine times and is characterized by the Acropolis and the temple of Apollo, dating back to late 6th century BCE. The temple foundations and one column of the opisthodomus area 1 - section > scale 1.150 are still preserved and are the main reason for the name of the site, given by Venetian sailors, who used the columns of the Doric temple to guide them. Excavations, from the 19th century onward, revealed the fragmented architectural remains, of the ArchaicHellenistic acropolis and impressive Prehistoric buildings, with at least ten successive building phases. views of the site - proposal old trees pinus pinea

wooden furniture

plan > scale 1.2000

views of the site

C u r r e n t s i t u at i o n The site is open for visit and is preserved in a fairly good condition, including an archaeological museum in its ground. The archaeological site covers the basic functional needs of a public space, even though its dynamics are not fully deployed. The movement of the visitor is already partly defined with a natural path through the different areas.

Proposal However, a new configuration is necessary, in order to enhance the existing one, as well as the incorporation of interactive rest areas for the visitor. In addition the Athens Charter for the Restoration of Historic Monuments dictates that “A study should also be made of the ornamental vegetation most suited to certain monuments […] from the point of view of preserving their ancient character”. The Greek flora is among the richest and most interesting floras of the European continent. The use of native species, as ornamentals in archaeological sites, is adapted to the ecological and historical environment and reflects the Greek landscape. The establishment of such species in archaeological sites could ameliorate the aesthetics of the site and increase the number of visitors, while providing additional education on use and symbolism of plant species in historic cultures as well as on matters of biodiversity. The current proposal aims to guide the visitor through all the important spots, characteristic of the site and express the different periods of area 1 - plan> scale 1.200 evolution of the settlement, to participate in activities and admire the ancient remains in combination with the natural landscape, whose local character is designated by the use of native plants that form the vegetation of the site. The proposed species were selected on the basis of lack of aggressiveness towards the monument, aesthetic and symbolic value and low maintenance.

new trees pinus pinea

wooden pavement

N

Calamintha nepeta

S

area 1

Ballota acetabulosa

Asphodelus fistulosus

Teucrium capitatum L.

Lomelosia hymettia

Anthyllis hermanniae

Anthyllis barba-jovis

N

S

plan of the proposal > scale 1.1000

Limoniastrum monopetalum

Atriplex halimus

Design proposal to increase functionality and aesthetics of archaeological sites: The case study of Ancient Messene, Greece P a pa f o t i o u M. , P e t r o c h e i l o u A., M a r c o M a r t Ă­ n e z G.

and

K a n e ll o u E.

Laboratory of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Department of Crop Science, School of Agriculture, Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55 Athens, Greece.

1/150

L o c at i o n The archaeological site of Ancient Messene dates back to 369 BCE, when it was founded as the capital of the independent state of Messenia, by the Theban general Epameinondas. It is one of the most important cities of antiquity in terms of size, form and state of preservation due to the fact that it was never destroyed or covered by more recent settlements. It is located in Peloponnese, in the South of Greece, in an views of the site - proposal intact, eminently Mediterranean natural environment. The buildings of the ancient city P r o p o s a l are organized according to the Hippodameian system in a grid of east-west and north- The current project aims to define a movement network to guide visitors, which incorporates south oriented roads. native plant species that underline the historic significance of the site. The proposed new configuration of movement is clearly defined by paths based on the Hippodameian grid of the ancient city. Along its length rest areas are proposed that provide specific viewpoints of the most important spots. The urban grid is even more emphasized with the use of shrubby native plants. The plant species were chosen based on historical information on their use in ancient times, designating the local character of the site.

views of the site

existing paths proposed path >scale 1.5000

N

S

C u r r e n t s i t u at i o n The site is in a very good preservation state and excavations are in continuous progress.

However, due to the large size of the area there is not a predetermined way to move through. There are several paths naturally created that connect its main spots, without composing a whole organized system. In such way the visitor is free to follow its own route, as willing, but it is also probable to skip some part unintentionally. Additionally there is a clear lack of ornamental vegetation that would add aesthetic and functional value to the site. In article III of the Athens Charter it is stated that a study should be made for the ornamental vegetation of an archaeological site that would preserve its historical character.

area 1 - plan> scale 1.150

area 1 - section > scale 1.150

1/100

For the design of each rest area,the hippodamean system of the ancient city has been followed but in a smaller scale. Each module measures 3.50m x 1.50m and it keeps the same proportions. The selected species will be planted following this module, along with the furniture, the wooden benches, which will be placed on a small portion of wooden pavement as well.

1/100

area 1

N

S

plan of the proposal > scale 1.1000

Calamintha nepeta

Ballota acetabulosa

Asphodelus fistulosus

Teucrium capitatum L.

Lomelosia hymettia

Anthyllis hermanniae

Anthyllis barba-jovis

Limoniastrum monopetalum

Atriplex halimus

Design proposal involving native plants for the historical site of Early Christian Amphipolis, Greece P a pa f o t i o u M. , M a r c o M a r t Ă­ n e z G., P e t r o c h e i l o u A.

and

K a n e ll o u E.

Laboratory of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Department of Crop Science, School of Agriculture, Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55 Athens, Greece.

L o c at i o n The archaeological site of Early Christian Amphipolis is located in northern Greece and dates back to 4th-6th century CE. The site is characterized by four Basilicas and the walls surrounding the city. Excavations also revealed a temple, a cistern and parts of houses.

views of the site

C u r r e n t s i t u at i o n The rest of the enclosed site is still covered, leaving the revealed part in a lower level, a fact that impedes the direct visual contact to the parts of interest, and only by close approach is it possible for the visitor to realize their existence. Additionally, the lack of a clear network of paths limits visitor access and lack of visitor rest areas restricts the functionality of the site. Another matter that should be addressed is the total lack of any ornamental plants, as part of a landscape design that would ameliorate the landscape.

Proposal The Athens Charter, for the restoration of Historic Monuments (1931), in article III states that special attention should be given to the use of ornamental plants in archaeological sites, which would enhance and preserve the character of the site. Native plant species are considered suitable for such purpose as they are adapted to the local landscape and are connected to the local history. It is also well known the intense impact of the rich native Greek flora on the evolution of cultures that developed in Greece. This project aims to improve the functionality of the site, by proposing a network of pavements to guide the visitors and enhance the archaeological landscape by the establishment of native plants that reflect on the Greek culture and landscape. Taking into consideration the fact that more excavations are to be held the following years, the present project avoids the total alignment of the ground in the level of the existing findings. Therefore it is proposed a clear configuration of paths that is currently absent, which will guide the visitor through all the main points of interest. Two viewpoints are also proposed in strategically chosen spots, which also serve as visitor rest areas. Paths and viewpoints are enhanced with the addition of native plants. The chosen species are shrubby, xerophytes, considered suitable due to their lack of aggressiveness towards the monument, low average height so that they don’t conceal the monument, low maintenance and aesthetic and historic value.

N

S

Calamintha nepeta

Ballota acetabulosa

Asphodelus fistulosus

Teucrium capitatum L.

Lomelosia hymettia

Anthyllis hermanniae

1/100

area 1 - plan> scale 1.100 1/100

Anthyllis barba-jovis

Limoniastrum monopetalum

N

area 1 S

plan of the proposal > scale 1.500

Atriplex halimus

area 1 - section > scale 1.150

1/50