Diploma thesis by Aikaterini Ninou, entitled “LOUTROPOLIS EN.A.L.IA. _ Alternative rejuvenation via Thermal Springs”, examines new ways of sustainable tourism for Milos island, proposing a new loutropolis for Cyclades.

-text by the author 

Milos belongs to the Cycladic Islands, and is crossed by the volcanic arc of Greece, therefore is one of the sleeping volcanoes of our country. In fact this is a blessing and a curse for the island, as different kind of economies during the centuries is trying to take advantage of the island, its resources and of course the locals. The most contemporary kind of such economies is the massive tourism that is starting to transform the island in a way that reminds the catastrophic transformation of Santorin.

Applying strategies as sustainable tourism seem ideal for this island as it’s resources are more than adequate for the development of such programs. Despite the existence of rich thermal springs, the locals haven’t yet got involved with medical tourism. After thorough investigation the existence of 6 thermal springs of various forms and temperatures that are referring on the natural port of Adamadas, the idea of connecting them through a local network seems ideal. A shuttle boat, a shuttle bus, bike roads and of course hiking trails are proposed to connect these 6 + 1 points that will consist the new loutropolis of Cyclades. Anyone who visits these 7 points will have a full opinion of what Milos is about, not by a luxurious boat but by truthful and sincere experience. In this thesis project, 3 of the 7 points are designed.

The two first points Aliki and Kanava are at an industrial zone of Milos, and their functional programme consists of a centre of Mud therapy, Physiotherapy centre and Cafeteria with healthy drinks – made by local botanies cultivated in the area –  in Aliki, and Centre of Sea Therapy in Kanava. In the first point emploees of the whole network are hosted, and the buildings refer to the incredible view of old salines.

An old cave hosts the function of the mud therapy where a visitor can enjoy a direct relation between the human and the nature. 

In the second point on Kanava, the visitor can enjoy the hot waters created by a natural vapour into the sea or the 3 pools created to gather the thermal water gushing from the sand. Those points are connected through a hiking trail.

The third point is into a small bay near the fishermen village of Skinopi. The functional programme provides a Center of thermalism with group and individual pools. These pools have the natural ground for a floor the water gushes from there.  References on the traditional fishermen village are made by relations and not only morphology.

Natural materials and most of them local for insulation, building, flooring etc. star in the project.  Bio-construction takes places in the island especially in this programme where baths and rock have an incredible relation.

Facts & Credits
Project title  LOUTROPOLIS EN.A.L.IA. _ Alternative rejuvenation via Thermal Springs
Student  Aikaterini Ninou
Supervisors  Riva Lava, Androniki Miltiadou , Eleni Alexandrou 
Date  February 2020
Course  Diploma thesis
Institution  School of Architecture, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) 


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