The project is: commissioned and managed by the Hellenic Public Real Estate Corporation; designed by Doxiadis Associates, Theon and Obermeyer, and is currently being constructed by Greek contractor ERGOTELIS SA. It will consist of a North wing to be constructed in the place of a 1910 building that had to be demolished and a new wing facing West. Inside the southward-facing facade and the glazed roof, an atrium will be constructed.
To preserve the old building's architectural style, its stone facade had to be photographed, dismantled, classified and stored prior to its demolition, so as to be treated and reinstalled once construction of the superstructure reaches completion. Soil bracing was conducted using the Berlin Method (Berliner Verbau). In addition, it was necessary to support the adjacent building's foundation through jet-grouting. The building's foundation is on sandy soil and at 1m below the aquifer. Construction is currently undertaken in parallel with water pumping and will continue to do so until the completion of the basement's roof slab. Waterproof concrete with special admixtures is used and great attention is given to joint-works with the instalment of 'water stops' to prevent water from leaking into the building.
Having been designed to the latest energy conservation standards, the building will include bioclimatic balconies/galleries to assist in the circulation of warm and cold air, controlled blinds at ground level and the use of blinds at all floors, on which photovoltaic panels will be installed. Transparent photovoltaic films will be installed on parts of the glazed roof. Photovoltaic and solar panels will also be installed on other parts of the roof. Finally, construction will include the installation of modern 'building management' and 'security' systems.
Yannis Zoiopoulos, Graduate Member in Greece