Program: Arts School

Location: Psychiko, Athens, GR

Type: Open International Competition

Architectural Team: John Kanakas, Marios Triantafyllou, Kostas Christopoulos

Owner: Hellenic American Educational Foundation Athens College-Psychico College

Sponsor: D. Daskalopoulos

Period: 2021 – 2022

The proposal for an Arts Building for the HAEF, constitutes a manifesto of landform architecture within a green context. We strongly believe that architecture needs to emerge and respect its environment and this was a catalytic parameter for the design of the arts school, since our proposal arises smoothly from the existing surrounding landscape and in the same time is implementing sustainable materiality. The proposal takes shape around a wide atrium, which allows for natural light and ventilation to reach all parts of the building, while in the same time creating a place for socialisation, the heart of the school. On the ground, a diagonal sloping green axis creates a direct connection towards the park, while seperating important functions by giving them their own space and entrance. A system of internal and external ramps constitute the main circulation system of the school, allowing students and visitors to walk to every part of the building. In terms of the of the overall programs of the building, the Arts school would include several types of studios and classrooms, an exhibition center, a library, offices, a rooftop cafe-bar as well as an internal and an external amphitheater. The project proposed construction methods and materials, that respect the environment and are in accordance with key principles of sustainability. Specifically, most of the external walls at the ground level, were suggested to be built with “rammed earth”. Furthermore, one side of the exhibition center would be a vertical garden – planted wall. All the roofs were porposed also to be planted, while most of them would be walkable and free to access. Large parts of the building would have glass facades, in order to allow maximum natural light to reach the studio spaces. Lastly, adjustable vertical wooden blinds would be positioned on the outside of the glass facades, where depending on the orientation, it would achieve enough shading in order to avoid overheating during summer periods.