HEROES' SQUARE URBAN DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
The remodelling of Heroes' Square in Elefsina was the subject of an architectural competition in 2007. The following examples have come out of this competition. The overarching idea was to provide a route to connect the square to the main archaeological site in Elefsina.
HEROES' SQUARE
The Ideal refers to the ancient world of the archaeological site, to the myths and the history Elefsenian Mysteries (800BC-396AD) and the birthplace of tragedian Aeschylous (525BC). The Real refers to the contemporary everyday life and is expressed by the urban square.
Iera Odos (the main road connecting the square to the archaeological site), leading to the entrance of the archaeological site, is represented as an ideal straight line - a ceremonial procession.
THE IDEAL & REAL
PROJECT DETAILS
Architect - Antonis Noukakis & Partners
The square acts both as an element of modern town , devoted to the contemporary rituals
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The square is materialised as a lifted square plane, which looks as if it floats above, the ground, as a reference to the underworld. A line of long floor lights, looking like fallen torches, denote the route.
Iera Odos
Threshold
Square
PROJECT DETAILS
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Architects - K. Grivas, R. Metheniti, G. Paraskevopoulos,E. Ioannidou
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Services - Lighting Design Consultants, Photometry Consultants, Custom Luminaire Design Consultants
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Heroes Square is the central node of this archaeological site. The lighting for the regenerated square allows for great nocturnal views of the illuminated archaeological site by forming a low luminance. Each custom designed luminaire (in collaboration with Artemide Hellas S.A.) is directionally orientated all along the plan in order to point – day and night – to the archaeological site.
Visual contrast is reinforced by applying cooler white light to the square in contrast to the warm white light of the archaeological site.
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The distinctive diagonal - axial nature of the new landscape is enhanced by low level linear lighting.
PROJECT DETAILS
Architect - Ioannis Architecture
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The proposal constitutes a mild intervention with a minimum amount of constructions. It concentrates mainly on the elaboration of the paving, which hints at stops as sub-units and zones of movement through the alternation of the materials proposed.
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The articulation of the traces of earth make reference to the ancient route.
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The proposal is linked with a potential excavation of the Sacred Way itself, as well as with the attribute of the earth as a material which is reminiscent of the mythology of Elefsina.
The proposal is completed with the design for the equipment of the square, which includes seating, kiosks, and lighting units.
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The competition was entered in collaboration with the architect Ariadni Vozani.
REFERENCES