name piraeus tower
year 2010
type idea competition
program facade renewal
location athens
status idea
TUNIC TOWER
Our project aims at remembering the ancient Greece, when Phidias, one of the greatest of all sculptors, designed the colossal statue of Athena, which was visible far out at sea. The representation of her tunic reaching to the feet was subtle and precise. For the first time, the Greek sculptor were challenging with the representation of human body and clothes in naturalistic posture. The site of the project, “the sleeping giant” gives the opportunity to speak to the world through the 20 million passengers coming annually in the capital. The old giant will be transformed into a new contemporary icon through the possibility given by materials like corian and new technology which make it possible to draw it. The tower will be draped by an openwork tunic which give her a unique identity and anchor into the art history of her country. The tunic will provide solar protection and fresh air through the circulation between the cladding and the internal façade of the wind coming from the sea. The base of the tower will be occupied by a new contemporary art center, a library, shops and café. The top of the tower will received restaurants and a roof terrace with panoramic view on the sea. The people taking a walk on the waterfront will have a break on the third floor terrace protected by the corian pergola. Then they will enjoy the exhibition of Greek sculpture and have a look on the skyline on the 23rd floor. The office workers will pass the tourists and the students in the entrance hall, going up into their offices with private lifts. During the day, they will take fresh air on the balconies behind the vertical solar protection in corian.
