Polysporous Varvakios : A creative platform and communal space in the heart of Athens, Greece

Sammanfattning: Athens is today at the epicentre of fast and disruptive societal changes in a dramatically altered economic reality. Meanwhile, there is a growing sense of responsibility for the public space among its citizens. Polysporous Varvakios aims to catalyze these societal changes by creating a communal space and creative platform on Varvakios square, in the heart of Athens. Inspired by the notion of the agora, the project promotes social and urban cohesion by adding public space with different functions, on multiple levels of the city. In an area characterized by diversity and heterogeneity, both socially and architecturally, a homogeneous structure is placed. It aims to establish connections between areas previously isolated from each other. The design proposes an open workshop space at the elevated level and an opening of the square underneath, extending the existing market place and stimulating activity at all hours of the day.