National Competition 
"Nursery"

When designing the nursery and the day care centre for the elderly in Chania, Crete three design pillars consisted the core elements, around which the architectural proposal evolved.

1st ) the creation of a combination of built and green spaces that will accommodate the needs of, not only the main users of the buildings (toddlers, babies, teachers, elderly, etc.) but also the needs in green and open communal spaces of the surrounding neighbourhoods.

2nd ) the quality and the expression of the architectural language of the built environment.

3rd ) the use and the embedment of architectural and technological solutions that enhance the bioclimatic character of the complex and promote the usage of “greener and environmental friendly” solutions.

   Each pillar covers various elements in architectural, environmental and social terms. Architecturally the elements of introversion (referring to the nursery), continuous communication between internal and external spaces, green and shaded zones (referring to the communal park), as well as the conversion of the atrium in the centre point of the complex, around which the majority of the viewports and the activities are concentrated (referring to the building that hosts the nursery), create a concept that aims to include and combine design considerations that offer a versatile and beneficial solution for the end users of the premises.

   The versatile spaces and the green areas that surround and “penetrate” the built areas, aim at accommodating the needs of the nursery and the day care centre in the best possible way, promote the interaction between different age groups and strengthen the ties between the community members (through social interaction in the newly designed green park).

   Thus, the proposed complex (nursery, day care centre, communal green park) becomes a focal point for the area, where human interaction, re-connection with the nature, human-focused solutions and environmentally friendly technological approaches were the main design considerations.

Proposal for national competition for Chania city..

Chania

2019 - 2020