‘Frame of Co-existence’ in Chania, Crete
Team: Irgen Salianji, Jonian Silaj, Liana Sofiadi, Orestis Kaklamanis
Masterplan: Studio JUAJ
Model: Mike Moritz
Status: Competition project
Location: Chania, Crete, Greece
Program: Daycare, kindergarten, elderly home and neighbourhood park Area: 1.322m2
Landscaping: 2.520m2
The
‘’framework of coexistence’’ refers to the urbanity and synergy that is created
when two or more different programmatic entities are called to socially and
spatially synchronize. This is exactly the purpose of our proposal for a modern
public building that respects the context on the one hand and on the other
makes a statement about how a sensitive public program can be supported by a
neighborhood park and vice versa. The physical frame binds the buildings and
their courtyards together into a unified cluster while it defines the edge of
the park and serves as its porous background. The momentum of the city
culminates at the neighborhood park and the building infrastructure comes to
enrich this relationship through its materiality, connections and architectural
expression.
The
two different programs of the building, namely the nursery school and the
daycare centre for the elderly, occupy two independent masses but share the
same common entrance area which connects them and offers a space for
grandparents to meet their grandchildren. The porous frame surrounding the low
building complex with courtyards and green areas functions as a ‘’stoa’’ or a
canopy: a linear element of public space that symbolizes embrace, security and
the fluidity between the public outdoor area of the park and the private indoor
environment of the buildings. The
materials used in the construction of the building are inspired by the nature
and morphology of the volcanic Cretan soil. Thus, the exposed concrete of the
structure contains red pigment and through its ‘’sweet brutalism’’ aims to
create a pleasant and playful atmosphere for everyday life.
The
landscape design of the park refers to the Cretan micro-environments where
there are no spaces that are the same. Connecting to the urban fabric and adopting
to the climate of Amberia, the system of intersecting paths generates green
“islands” that seem to float together, always keeping the same distance between
them. Thus, the new building looks like it is floating in the green archipelago,
creating a dialogue with the park and at the same time keeping the necessary
distance from it. The park is independent and becomes a new meeting and
reference point for the neighbourhood.
