The current study has to do with the design of an exhibition stand for the “ENERGIERS” company.
Generally speaking, exhibition stands are rather complex, usually indoor, constructions. This complexity has to do with the dual purpose of an exhibition stand, which is (through the impression of being a shop) not only to project the firm’s identity among other stands, but also to advertise its products.
For these reasons we focused on prevailing the same design principles as the ones used at the shop of the same company. These design principles are the “dynamic” facade in accordance to the “smooth” internal space. In order to maintain that dominant nature there is a need of expanding the shop windows to both sides of the structure by constructing new projection benches.
The stand’s use of space is distributed along two zones. The first one includes the shop windows and the second the exhibition of the products. The basic morphological characteristics are the sliding panels of the exhibition stand’s facade, the gaps at the ceiling which have the shape of the recesses used in the shops, the shop’s windows benches at both sides of the structure.
As mentioned before the spatial organization of the exhibition stand shows a division between two functional parts; one projecting the stand to the visitors and a second one for the exhibition of the products. This partition also accommodates a small storage unit following the same design principles. A customer service desk and a number of seats have been allocated in front of this unit. The central area of the stand includes a sitting- socialization area surrounded by free movement exhibition space.
The exhibition stand’s furniture conceptualization follows the same design principles as the ones used in the store’s furniture in order to provide simple and fast manufacturing.
These are the curvy forms, the differentiation of the colors on the surfaces (which leads to a more prominent outline of the furniture) and the use of the firms basic colors (light gray, dark gray, red).
U shaped counters in two different sizes are recommended in order to minimize the space use and to create more projection surfaces for the products.
The design of the customers service desk, which is placed in front of the storage unit reminds, morphologically, the cashier furniture used in stores.
Structurally it has two basic elements. The first one which is at the front, visible to the visitor, a rectangle shaped with rounded corners surface and the second one is a service bench at the other side, not visible, with storage spaces.
Scale: < 5.000 m²
Building Complex
The project concerns a three office buildings complex of a total area of 3.500 sq.m. The complex has been constructed on a 2.200 sq. m. corner, flat and rectangular plot, south of Thermi. The south orientation and the geothermal potential of the region were the starting points of investigating energy efficiency, aiming to offer the best energy performance inside a conventional construction budget.
The concept idea is to unify the three parts into a single complex with compact volume and strong presence in the, under formation, urban fabric (tertiary sector facilities).
The complex consists of three parts, functionally distinct with independent access. Avoiding the disturbances of the environment, the three parts are arranged in contact and inward, parallel to the plot sides and around a large central core – atrium – also with independent access. The volume organization is of great importance, since the complex orientation and the atrium arrangement provide, on one hand, organizing conditions (area for circulation, distribution, social interaction) and on the other, natural lighting and ventilation.
A comprehensive study has been prepared and strategies for thermal and visual comfort, natural ventilation and cooling, reducing of losses, shading etc. were implemented.
In order to increase thermal inertia and create large thermal mass so as to achieve low temperature variations, a conventional construction (concrete and brick) has been selected. The development of a compact and long volume also allowed the setting of general and specific ratios, contributing to reduce heat losses.
The controlled area of the atrium, through the perception of biological time, the creation of favorable microclimate (planting, water element) and air circulation, contribute to ventilation – cooling and conditions of biological time response.
The use of materials with high energy consumption in production has been avoided, while “clean” building technologies have been preferred.
A special characteristic of the façades is the wood paneling in the north and south, a symbolic and functional element, incorporating shading devices, gutters, networks, buffer zones, wind protection devices and insulation. The use of industrial floors inside characterizes the building. These options, as well as the highly reflective roof material, express in finishes level, the architect’s proposal in order to achieve harmony among user requirements, function, thermal behavior and aesthetics.
The simulations performed with dedicated software, provide reduced consumption at least 60% to 75% compared with conventional office buildings – excluding the use of geothermy.
Supplementary to the Bioclimatic design, a detailed Energy study was elaborated. The optimization of efficiency focuses on two main consumption categories of the specific use (offices), lighting and heating/cooling.
In order to reduce heating/cooling energy the integration of a VRV system exploiting geothermal energy has been selected. Heat extractions is achieved through an open loop geothermal system, pump and discharge drilling and water-cooled geothermal heat pumps, using electricity only for heating/cooling spaces and exploiting the stable temperature of underground water. For lighting requirements, the main criteria were to meet specifications and standards (level, uniformity and glare) and saving by incorporating methods of control (dimming, presence detectors).
The results of simulation performed with dedicated software, provide electricity consumption decreased by 27.5% for heating/cooling and 30% for lighting.
Iktinou School Complex
It is a school complex in the center of Thessaloniki, founded in 1931, it expresses the Art Deco & Bauhaus Movement in Greece and has been labeled as a monument by a Decision of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture. It consists of nine independent structures (eight buildings and a concrete shed) with a total area of about 6.600 sq.ms, most of them with a basement and two above-ground floors. The structures are generally made of cast in-situ reinforced concrete, consisting of slabs (solid or ribbed), beams, columns and in some cases of masonry (natural stones and artificial bricks with holes). Our designs have anticipated its energy and structural upgrade. During the structural upgrade (up to the current level of safety), assessment and interventions designs were carried out, which resulted in strengthening (addition of new concrete walls, beam strengthening, reinforced concrete jackets on columns) and repairs of the structure.
TITAN Cement
This project concerns the rearrangement and the restoration of the installations of the industrial company. METE SYSM S.A. was assigned to redesign the internal circulation around the buildings, the design and location of the new entrance gate at the site, the design of four new buildings (offices and laboratories for the personnel and the production control) as well as the renewal and the extension of three existing buildings.
Renal Dialysis Center
The architectural design concerns the construction of a new 34-bed Renal Dialysis Unit, on a plot of 11,797,57 sq. m., located in Yfantes Area of Komotini Municipality, on the Komotini – Iasmos- Xanthi Provincial Road.
The main objectives of the design were the integration of the building to the size and shape of the plot, the compliance with regulations, technical specifications and the building program, the functionality in the organization of the various functions, the dynamic and contemporary aesthetic approach compatible with the use of the building as a health care facility and the independent access for service facilities.
Due to the size and shape of the plot, an elongated ground floor building of 1,178 sq. m. was designed, which is located parallel to the Provincial Road in the middle of the plot.
The internal arrangement is organized into three groups: reception areas, patient areas and facilities and ancillary areas. Reception and administration areas are arranged at the east end of the building, which corresponds to the location of the entrance to the plot, two 16-bed dialysis rooms are centrally located, each with support areas, while MEP areas, storages and ancillary areas are placed at the west side of the building. The building has an indoor planted patio in combination with the waiting area, which brings natural light inside and creates a pleasant environment for staying during the summer period.
The central entrance is located on the south side facing the Provincial Road and includes a sheltered drop-off area.
The clear and comprehensible layout of the floor plan is the key component of the facades. Thus the facades of the building are organized on the basis of the simplicity and geometrical clarity of the volumes combined with the functional layout of the openings and sun protection elements. The aim of the proposal is to split the volume of the building and create four distinct volumes, which are emphasized both in ground level and in height, giving a dynamism to volume formation and emphasizing the public character of the building. The different aesthetic approach and the individual architectural interventions in the protruding volumes, such as the creation of a boxing frames for the openings, emphasize their importance and enhance the variety of facades.
Access to the plot is by the Provincial Road with a proper traffic connection configuration, in accordance with the regulations.
The landscape of the surrounding area includes 58 parking spaces (1 ambulance) on the east side of the building, an internal road network for servicing the building, pedestrian access and disabled access. Extensive green areas in front, behind and on the east side of the building are also provided, as well as in the perimeter of the internal road.