On a plot of land measuring 4,918 sq m on the campus of the Polytechnic School in the city of Volos, a building measuring 3,930 sq m is to be erected to house the Department of Computer Engineering, Telecommunications and Networks. The building is divided into two elongated volumes, arranged in parallel and oriented towards the meridian. The elongated volume to the north houses the educational uses, while the corresponding one to the meridian hosts the office spaces of the building. In between, a high common space is placed with the logic of a semi-outdoor configuration, to which all the functions and life of the building refer theatrically.
The cross-section of the building highlights its bioclimatic function, natural lighting, sunlight, natural heating and cooling in the way achieved by natural air flows, horizontally and vertically. On the ground floor of the building are located the uses of the general public (three amphitheaters, secretariat, foyer). The common areas, pitolis, on the south and foyer with planting, organize the common life of the building.
The structure is conventional, made of reinforced concrete and infill elements, while the central section is a metal structure. Prefabricated concrete panels cover the meridian aspect for sun protection of the surface of the facade.
The south side of the building is the front view of the building from the city. The view is shaped with the logic of empty digits in the full view. This symbolic reference to the digital world corresponds to the overall understanding of the building program. The shell/building is a “hardware”, the content of which is the “software” of university life itself.
Title and location of project/study:
New Building of the Department of Computer Engineering, Telecommunications and Networks, University of Thessaly, Volos, Magnesia
Architects:
Zissis Kotionis, prof. Dept. of Architecture, University of Thessaloniki
Vasso Trova, assoc. prof. Dept. of Architecture, University of Thessaloniki
Phoebe Giannisi, assoc. prof. Dept. of Architecture, University of Thessaloniki
Collaborating architects:
Aikaterini Kritou, architect, University of Thessaloniki
Vasia Lyri, architect, University of Thessaloniki
Nikos Platsas, architect, University of Thessaloniki
Static study:
Euripides Mystakidis, prof. Dept. of Civil Engineering, University of Thessaloniki
Olympia Panagouli, asst. prof. Dept. of Civil Engineering, University of Thessaloniki
Soil engineering study:
Emilios Komodromos, Prof. Dept. of Civil Engineering, University of Thessaloniki
Collaborator: Maria Papadopoulou, Dr. Civil Engineering, University of Thessaloniki
Electromechanical study:
Dimitris Zimeris, El. Eng. Eng.
Geothermal Study:
Nikos Andritsos, asst. prof. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, University of Thrace.
Energy study:
Aristides Tsagkrasoulis, assoc., prof., Department of Architecture, University of Thessaloniki.
Three-dimensional representations:
George Rymenides, architect, University of Thessaloniki
Michalis Softas, architect, University of Thessaloniki
Owner: University of Thessaly
Plot area: 4918m2
Total area: 3930m2
Study period: 2010–2011