CNG020
CNG
HALL
20 Canningos &
2-4
Chalkokondyli str.,Athens, GR
Claire Athanassiou, Lampros Petsavas
The object of our study refers to the public building that houses the services of the Ministry of Development and Trade in Canningos Square. It is a compact 8-storey structure with two quadrangles, which occupies the entire block in front of the square. Following a process of investigation and mapping of the existing condition of the building, a number of questions were raised regarding its position in the urban fabric and the desired social role it could play in the city.
The starting point was the historical study of the square, starting from the 1920s up to the presence. For decades it was considered as the second most central square in Athens, after Omonia square, as a meeting point for citizens, a place of intense commercial activity and a transit route, since buses used to pass through it to connect the centre with the suburbs. Our initial intention was therefore to redefine the character of the square (extension) and to link it seamlessly with the existing Ministry building.
As a result of our research, we focused on three axes: that of the extension of public space, the ephemeral element and the commercial activity. This strategy of ours translated in terms of structure into extending the plaza to both the ground floor space and the upper levels of the building, retaining the exterior skin and removing the windows, and removing the slabs and masonry resulting in the exposure of the load-bearing structure. Then in terms of function, ephemeral habitation units (capsules) were created, which have a variability in their use, allowing for simultaneous habitation, work and product display. In the core, open plan spaces are formed for discussions, presentations and events.
Passage = Ephemeral
Shrinking ≠ Expansion
Ministry of Development and Trade = Commercial activity
