Like having sprout
among the thymes and lavenders
that crop up in the old quarry,
gazing towards the land across
through the wooden linear blinds
of the eastern facades,
there lies this school building
on the shores of a tiny greek island.
The school complex, just outside the village of Elafonisos,
is designed to accommodate all levels of education,
for a population of approximately 100 children.
It also includes a library, a theatre hall with its courtyard
and an outdoor amphitheater,
available to the entire population.
Each unit has a private entrance and courtyard,
but is also designed for integrated operation.
The strong slope (eyebrow),
on the northwestern edge of the field,
is maintained, as it is a typical natural element
of southeastern Peloponnese.
Choosing a mild bioclimatic approach,
highlighting local herbaceous flora
and in order to help rehabilitate the wounded landscape,
all the roofs of the buildings are to be planted.
The level of each green roof ends
at the level of the adjacent slopes
and so each building gives the impression
that emerges from the earth,
leaving exposed only the face to the sea.
Thereby all courtyards are fully protected
from the strong northern winds.
The wooden blinds on the eastern,
longitudinal facades of buildings
are the trademark of the proposal.
They not only filter the light and highlight the view to the sea,
but their thickening and diluting system
creates coherent views
that subvert the typical image of a public school,
especially for those approaching from the sea.
PROJECT DATA
DESIGN
2009-10
COLLABORATORS
Ifigenia Skamnaki, architect
Chryssi Nikoloutsou, architect
SURFACE
2.000m²
BUDGET
4.065.000€