Typology: Healthcare

Renal Dialysis Center

The project concerns the construction of a new building, with an area of 1585 sq.m, for housing a 34-bed Chronic Dialysis Unit, in the area of Aktaio in Patra.
The plot on which the building will be erected is located on the Old National Road Patra-Corinth, in “Kastelokambos”, within the settlement of Aktaio, Municipal unit of Rio, Municipality of Patra and has an area of 2964, 14 sq.m.
The proposed building is arranged along the plot and consists of 2 levels, the basic Level 0 with access from the Old National Road and the lower Level -1. Due to the slope of the plot, the building is one-storey on the side of the road and two-storey on the back, while there is the possibility of direct entry-exit on both levels.
At Level 0 (ground floor from the road and 1st floor from the back) are located the two hemodialysis rooms of 16 beds each, which face the view of the Rio-Antirrio bridge, with the auxiliary support areas, the entrance-waiting area and the offices of director and head nurse. Internal communication between the patient rooms and their auxiliary spaces is ensured without interference with the entrance-waiting area.
At the main entrance of the building, there is an extensive sheltered space for the patients’ access.
At Level -1 (basement from the road and ground floor from the back) is located the administration with the possibility of an independent entrance from the low side, as well as the other auxiliary and mechanical areas, while an independent entrance-exit for supply and collection is provided.
The building consists of two volumes in displacement, of which the longest one leans along the road in order for the building to be exposed and better visible from the road, while in the retreating volume the appropriate recess is created for the main entrance. In addition, due to the slope of the plot, the building appears one-storey from the road and two-storey from the back with its side sides half-buried. This configuration led to the organization of the facades in two zones, one at the base of the building and one at the superstructure, using different materials and architectural elements.
Generally, the building is cladded on the base, with panels of a concrete texture that refers to a more “heavy material” and on the superstructure, with vertical strips of HPL panels, of variable dimensions and two colors. Due to the complexity in the layout of the stripes, two light shades of gray were chosen.
The sun protection of the spaces is achieved through perforated blinds in white shade, which while protecting from the sun do not obstruct the view. On the side sides for both sun protection and for the delimitation of the escape exits, pergolas in white shade are also provided.

Papafi Cultural Center

Our proposal aims at satisfying all requirements and specifications set by the tender, and at the same time provide a contemporary and innovative building complex, which will meet all functional, technological and aesthetic needs of today and will become a landmark in the area.

Design concept

The design concept starts from a compact building volume, which breaks up, then separates, then is displaced, then bends due to the interaction with the urban fabric, resulting in the penetration of the urban space inside the plot and among the two volumes. The breakup and bending of volumes causes also the “breakage” of the ceramic shell inside, alternating the linearity of the shell with vertical panels and glazing.

The building is “offered” to the inhabitants through the creation of free public spaces, squares, sitting areas, green areas and various additional activities developed around it. The planted roofs replace the old ceramic roof of the existing building, which remains as a reminder in the choice of shell material.

Architectural design

The complex consists of two elongated bended buildings: K1, a four-storey building and K2, a three-storey building. The complex includes also two basements, the first with a parking area of 83 slots and the second with technical and auxiliary spaces. The complex is served by four main cores of vertical communication. The allocation of the various uses in the two buildings is described below: Building K1, Ground floor: Day Care Center for the Elderly, Citizen Service Center and Guest House; 1st floor: Community Medical center and Guest House; 2nd floor: Municipal Library; 3rd floor and mezzanine: Municipal Gym. Building K2, Ground floor: Nursery and Memory Space-Archive; 1st floor: Nursery; 2nd floor: Offices of fourth Community and Associations and Multipurpose Hall. An outdoor cinema is located on the terrace of building K2. The two buildings are connected through an elevated bridge and a grid of external corridors/balconies and staircases.

The volume organization of the complex reflects the general concept. The complex is “wrapped” around by a second skin/shell consisting of linear ceramic elements, alternating in solid or perforated zones according to the needs of lighting and visual isolation. This solid shell is interrupted on the inside facades and replaced by a vertical curtain wall consisting of solid and glass panels.

The building complex is designed following the bioclimatic principles in order to achieve the best possible sustainability performance and consume the less possible energy, while thermal and visual comfort is offered to its users.

Landscape design

Landscape design is related also to the general concept. Public space penetrates the complex, creating triangle squares. Hard and soft scape interconnect resulting in a mosaic of materials and colors. Proposed materials match the ones of the building that is ceramic flooring and concrete in different textures.

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.