Offices and Shopping Building

Mastoropoulos Antonis

OFFICE AND SHOPPING BUILDING

• Architects

The building is located on a small plot, in the centre of the new settlement of Monemvasia.
The plot is outlined by three streets, the main road leading to the Castle, the municipal road parallel to the main road and a third road, vertical to the other two, which leads to the beach and is planned to be a pedestrian area.
The building plan provided for the construction of a complex of small offices and shops, intended for exploitation.

photo_credit Kleanthis Dimitris — Kleanthis Dimitris

photo_credit Mastoropoulos Antonis — Mastoropoulos Antonis

The main concept of the composition is forming two main building volumes and creating an internal walkway that connects the two parallel streets.
The Building is developed on 3 levels: the first level, which is lowered compared to street level, (due to restrictions on maximum allowed height imposed in the area) comprises offices and auxiliary uses, the second level shops and the third level offices.

The internal walkway - a type of “dromiki” structure (an arch over the street) that is featured at the castle of Monemvasia - combined with the split and parallel placement of the building’s individual volumes, enhance its accessibility, as they create horizontal and vertical zones of movement, as well as multiple entrances to the building.
These zones also include the ramp leading to the lowered level, as well as the stepped ramp leading to the elevated volume and the open staircase leading to the upper levels of the building.

The great, “L”-shaped volume that is elevated from street-level surrounds the smaller, two-storey volume that is on street level, and is placed in contact with the neighbouring building – partition wall and the rear secondary municipal road, in a manner that leaves large free spaces on the side of the main street.
The regression of the building volume functions as an open embrace towards the settlement, allowing for a comfortable area for reception and occasional events, while making the building attractive and welcoming for the functions it accommodates.

The use of uncoated concrete in the large angular volume, and coarse plaster in the two-storey rectangular volume, among other things, highlights the geometry of the building.
Although the composition makes significant references to the traditional architecture of the neighbouring castle, the form of the building is determined by its use and does not follow traditional norms.