Restoration of Western Arsenali

Restoration of Western Arsenali Heraklion, Crete

1st Prize_National Competition

Restoration and Re-use of the Western Neoria, Heraklion. The complex of Western Neorion was founded in 1552, in the water. The boundary of the city was that of the wall, a stone front over centuries reflected in the sea. The modern avenue swept the area, imposed a large embankment and left the Arsenali cut and halved. The subject of the competition is not limited to restoring the monumental complex. The city is ahead. -How can its relationship with the sea be redefined? The proposal restores the sense of a sudden end to sea, as well as the sense of an open exodus to it. The wall is restored, Arsenali is restored. The sea touches the city, the cityopens itself to the sea. Both interpenetrate. A stone platform restores the former strong presence of the Neoria, extending them back to it. The eastern and most amputated gallery is also extended: a wooden gallery restores its geometry and its original length. The water surface disrupts the embankment and highlights the new square. To the east of the platform, the sensation of water contact with the wall is restored by a sea of vegetation. An extra, multi-event space, functionaly discharges the monument. The restoration of the city at the exit to the sea provides a public space where the relationship with it, is redefined in a direct, tangible, sensible way. Both interpenetrate: City-Sea, Built-Water, Artificial-Natural.

study

2009

status

Competition

Team

Tilemachos Andrianopoulos Kostas Mavros Thanos Bampanelos

Consultants

Klimis Aslanidis