ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITION FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE OLD PORT OF PATRAS / G. FRAGKAKIS & L. LYROU, P. CHONDROS

Despite the strong will for change, the entire coastal zone of Patras is currently in decline. The sea is now “off the walls” of the city and existing buildings along the railway line stress out this separation – quite a paradox when one considers the huge potential of this coastal town.

Regaining the city’s waterfront and reconnecting it with the city requires bold interventions. A new “dream” for the future is in search; one that will bring back identity to space and make it distinct as a destination.

New proposed buildings on the waterfront

• New railway station

Our team proposes putting the existing railway tracks underground – this will immediately redefine the possibilities for the regeneration of the coastal front, as a space accessible from multiple directions, permeable, kinetic. Moreover, it is suggested creating a new building for the central railway station which will serve as an entry point and a landmark for the entire coastal zone.

• New conference and exhibition center at Ag. Nikolaou wharf

In a quite unexpected position near the edge of the wharf a new conference / exhibition facility will be created. It follows a fluid building style that seamlessly integrates visual and structural design while joyfully linking up urban and maritime space thanks to its distinctive sharp angles.

• The “island” pier

A longitudinal pier directly adjacent Ag. Nikolaou wharf and accessible from it through a bridge is designed to include a café / restaurant, a swimming pool, and a rocky shore towards the sea.

• Aquarium

Gounaris wharf will host a large aquarium accommodating endangered species of the Mediterranean marine life. The elevated level – square above the aquarium offers an observation area to ​​the coastal front of the city.

Additional intervention features

Extensive traffic arrangements are proposed in order to remove through traffic from the coastal zone thus fully restoring pedestrian access to it. Traffic flows are to be controlled by various means such as creating a cycle path that runs all the way along the pedestrian zone, as well as a future tram line passing from Othonos – Amalias str., among others.

Facts & Credits:
Name: Panhellenic Architectural Tender for Ideas for the Restoration of the Old Port of Patras
Location: Patras, Greece
Year: 2016
Status: Competition
Client: The newspaper “PELOPONNISOS”, in cooperation with the Association of Architects of Achaia (SANA)
Design team: Giannis Fragkakis, Architect Engineer, Lambrini Lyrou, Student of Architecture, National Technical University of Athens, Panagiotis Chondros, Student of Architecture, National Technical University of Athens 

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