USE: Residential complex in the area of Plato’s Academy
LOCATION: Athens, Plato’s Academy, Greece
STATUS: Unbuilt
COLLABORATORS: G. Papathomas , S. Achilleos, Idnok

The proposal envisions transforming a 30,000 m² area in Plato’s Academy, Athens, into a vibrant, multi-use environment. Central to the design is a green corridor that links two pivotal green spaces: Plato’s Academy Park and the Agricultural University. This corridor serves as a backbone for residential, cultural, and recreational activities, fostering an integrated and sustainable urban ecosystem.

Plato’s Academy is a complex and heterogeneous urban zone, featuring industrial facilities, workshops, offices, housing, and warehouses. This mix poses challenges in creating a harmonious urban fabric while respecting the area’s unique architectural identity. Additional issues include fragmented green spaces and unregulated development.

The proposal is anchored by a pedestrian-friendly axis that physically and visually connects Plato’s Academy Park to the Agricultural University. This linear green corridor becomes the structural spine for organizing new building volumes and functions, which include residential, cultural, commercial, and recreational spaces. The incorporation of extensive greenery enhances environmental sustainability while fostering community interaction and urban cohesion.

The fragmented urban fabric, lack of organized green spaces, and unregulated growth necessitate strategic interventions:

1. Establishing a continuous green corridor that links the two parks and threads through the urban landscape.
2. Protecting and emphasizing architectural and historical landmarks to retain cultural identity.
3. Placing new building volumes strategically along the green axis to balance the built and natural environments.

This intervention aims to revitalize the area by addressing ecological, cultural, and urban challenges. By weaving natural and built elements together, the proposal fosters a unified, sustainable urban identity that enhances the area’s cultural and environmental significance.

Images: Wolfblanc