Abstract:

This project aims to redesign a former refugee residence into a modern version of a refugee shelter. It concerns the Asyrmatos apartment building, a building designed to house dozens of refugee families living in difficult conditions around Filopappou Hill. Based on a study of the area, the particularities of this linear building, and certain examples, this space has been chosen as a center for hosting people who have been forced to leave their country. The uses are based on the needs of the refugees and are applied in the design with the ultimate goal of their social integration. The functions that govern collective living are applied: through this special design and the distinction between private and public, this architectural solution aims to strengthen collectivity through design approaches that promote interaction and active participation of residents in their space. The proposal includes five floors, with the ground floor and second floor considered the most public areas as they also provide access to the building. Apart from housing, the proposal includes public spaces such as a social grocery store, a refugee library, classrooms, dining areas, doctor’s office, and a community garden. Concepts such as spatial grid, linearity, collectivity, private and public, intermediate spaces, patio , emptiness and variability organized the conceptual and design framework for the implementation of both the project and the central idea and were utilized in the design at all scales.