Restoration of Western Arsenali

Restoration of Western Arsenali Heraklion, Crete

1st Prize_National Competition

Restoration and Re-use of the Western Arsenali, Heraklion. The complex of the Western Arsenali was founded in 1552; in the water. The boundary of the city was that of the wall, a stone front over centuries reflected in the sea. The modern avenue swept the area, imposed a large embankment and left the Arsenali cut in half. The subject of the competition was not limited to restoring the monumental complex but to redefining its relationship with the city. The proposal restores the seductive sense of a sudden end of the city to the sea, as well as the sense of an open exodus to it. The wall is restored, the Arsenali are restored. The sea touches the city, the city opens itself to the sea: Both interpenetrate. A stone platform restores the former strong presence of the Arsenali, extending them back to it. The eastern and most amputated gallery is also extended: a wooden gallery restores its geometry and its original length. The water surface disrupts the embankment and highlights the new square. An extra, multi-event space at a lower level supports the functional integrity of the compex. The restoration of the city at its exit to the sea provides a new public space where the relationship with it is redefined in a direct, tangible, sensible way. Both interpenetrate: City-Sea, Built-Water, Artificial-Natural.

Project Team
Andrianopoulos Tilemachos, Mavros Kostas, Bambanelos Thanos

Restoration Consultants
Aslanidis Klimis, Pinatsi Christina

Landscape Consultant
Karaiskos Grigoris

study

2009

status

Competition