Emerging Landscapes / KLab Architecture

Oct 2009

By Karen Cilento — Filed under: Architecture News ,Mixed Use , Emerging Landscapes, Greece, KLab Architecture

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The flexible mixed use design of KLab architecture’s Emerging Landscapes allows the project’s function to change as the seasons progress. The project is a small convention center for the winter months, and switches to become a summer camp for children during the second half of the year.

More about the project after the break.

Located in Karpenisi, a small city in the Pintos central mountain range of mainland Greece, the project is situated in a mountainous area that has a strong traditional architectural typology of stone walled and roofed buildings constructed with minimal footprints. Keeping this architectural typology in mind, KLab Architecture’s project has a minimal impact on the landscape, while implementing ecological friendly strategies.

By analyzing the existing landscape, the new building seems to “emerge from that land and become the new landscape.” Two volumes, (one that houses offices and the small convention center that can be changed to house the indoor activity spaces for the camp, while the other volume houses a restaurant and bar), are separated by a curved sloping element that forms the roof of the passage from one building to the another. The structure is made from exposed concrete in order to promote biodiversity on the roof.

“The main building is interconnected with smaller satellite buildings constructed from wood with stone base elevated from the ground that function as dormitories,” explained the architects. Pathways run above the ground on pilotis minimizing their impact on the site in an effort to keep nature “as unspoiled as possible.”

The project also includes a pool that is situated both outside and inside the building, “celebrating the junction between the building and nature.” An outdoor deck area surrounds the pool, connecting it to the rest of the building while also providing necessary room for summer camp activities.