LAS150
New Agora
150 Andrea Syggrou ave, Athens City, GRSelma Dervisefendic, Andjela Obradovic
The building is situated on Syngrou Avenue, a pivotal road in Athens that links the city center to the sea. Functioning as a significant cultural axis, it boasts landmarks such as the Acropolis Museum at one end and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation at the other end. Syngrou Avenue also serves as a spine connecting various public buildings, and its proximity to the University, Onassis Foundation building, and several hotels adds to its vibrancy. However, the nighttime ambiance is transformed with the presence of numerous night- and strip clubs.
Geographically, the building is located in Kallithea, an Athenian district that experienced a substantial population increase between the two wars due to the influx of Asia Minor immigrants, and still houses few refugee settlements.
Our vision is to add a new vibrant place on the Kallithea side of Syngrou, a cultural hub serving as a new focal point along the cultural axis—a modern agora for meeting, working, learning, and cultural exchange. The aim is to offer free courses to attract individuals with immigrant backgrounds, fostering a sense of community and providing a space for cultural integration. Additionally, the inclusion of rentable ateliers makes it an ideal environment for young artists to both live and work, contributing to educational initiatives. An event space should be a multifunctional space, allowing different programs to take place, from discussions and lessons to exhibitions and performances.
The proposed intervention involves preserving the existing structure while adding three new floors and a roof terrace. A new transparent skin or facade is proposed, designed to redefine the building's identity. This materiality serves as a means of communication with the surrounding environment, creating a vibrant interface. Simultaneously, it contributes to the creation of a landmark and a distinctive volume that enhances the overall character of the cultural axis.
