Andreas Alevras

There lies a severe and consistent spacial issue in the wide central area of Athens, especially concerning the district around Anexartisia Square; the high density of polikatoikias, the greek form of multihousing, in conjunction with the complete lack of manifestation of a proper, healthy public energy of the city, proclaims that the Vathi node (as it is commonly called) stands as at least problematic.

This Design Thesis aspires to rewrite this particular piece of the city map, providing the public space that the urban fabric long needed, through the design of a pedestrian-oriented square, now characterized by that, which gives it identity (a Museum of Contemporary Art), and that, which defines its bounaries (a housing complex,merged with a tower, where municipal offices are accommodated.)

Mainly through the design rationale of the Museum, the project dictates my thoughts on the matter of the relationship between architecture and certain notions, such as the importance of public space in urban planning, internal and external space and its continual correlation, the public and the semi-public domain of the city, the right to saunter and explore etc.