Thessaloniki
Arxellence 2 Thessaloniki Skyline Competition
Our submission “A view of the bay/ A glance at the future” for International Ideas Competition for the New Central Business District (CBD) of Thessaloniki, Greece suggests a vibrant city district that is a pleasant living and working environment and introduces a new skyline for the city.
Assignment
Vision for the New Central Business District (CBD)
Status
Competition entry, 6th Prize
Location
Thessaloniki, Greece
Competition Organizer & Sponsor
ALUMIL S.A.
Collaboration
–
Period
August 2020 – October 2020
Marco Broekman
Floris van der Zee
Martha Seitanidou
Jordy Stamps
Yunshih Chen
Timothy Simons
Marina Lysenkova
The proposal provides an answer the question: How to bring Thessaloniki to the frontline of the forward-looking cities?
Cities worldwide provide conditions and respond to challenges in creating a sustainable planet. The new CBD here will be a global example of an extremely lively and attractive district which proposes smarter transportation and greater energy efficiency. Therefore, the plan builds on the extensive traditions of Thessaloniki, re-interpreting them in order to create an imaginable future.
In short, the area will become a link in the strategy for the region in which the border condition is transformed into a continuous pedestrian route along the bay. Good connections henceforth stimulate good public spaces. Good cities attract people, thus facilitate an innovative environment with quality for working and living.
A major HUB in the Balkan-region linking multiple nodes within the bay
The strategic position of the CBD puts the waterfront redevelopment in a different perspective, a regional approach linking Olympos, Thessaloniki and destinations along the Bay.
A continuous pedestrian route, rethinking the city’s principle on voids and high density
The city’s lack of open spaces is compensated by a stunning view on the bay. A raised pedestrian route re-interprets this principle and offers both a view and a solution to the border condition. Besides it is an argument to densify this area with 400.000 square meter program including mixed functions.
A vibrant city district with a new skyline for Thessaloniki
The buildings combine the typical Polykatoikia and high-rise and thereby creating a new skyline for Thessaloniki. Additionally, an innovation district should include a mix of programs with flexibility and create a living lab itself. This mix of housing, offices, making industry and cultural functions encourages interaction between people and thus innovation. So, a lively city district with meeting places for all kind of people. The high density goes hand in hand with high social and sustainable ambitions. A pleasant living environment is base of the design involving car-free green streets which are connected to the opposite neighborhood and parks.
