Medical School & Health Sciences Building Nikos K. Siakolas in the Campus of University of Cyprus
OPEN ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITION
LOCATION: NICOSIA, CYPRUS YEAR: 2015
TEAM: DIMITRIS THOMOPOULOS, MANOLIS VENIERAKIS, XENIA KARALI, STELLA-KONSTANTINA PAPASPYROY, MINA ROUSSOU
PUBLICATIONS: DOMES MAGAZINE #141A
The facilities of the medical school are designed in the campus of Athalassa, continuing the existing building stock of the area. An expansion of the pedestrian passage is proposed, forming a common covered space that offers visual and perceptual outlet to the context and the natural landscape, like the nearby hill, Aronas.
Major design objective was the formation of a unified space that runs through the entire building and organizes around it the various program modules. This space aims to develop constant interaction between the users of the school (academics, students, researchers and employees) and foster a feeling of belonging to the academic community.
The program of the Medical School is divided into two main parts. The first consists of the teaching and administration areas and is located on the first and second floor levels.
The second section, that of research laboratories, is located on the level below the open space. The in-between covered space accommodates also the entrance lobby as part of the piazza.
The elevation of the lower volume is covered with local sandstone, continuing the natural texture of the hill. The two upper levels are coated with a perforated metal facade, afar from the perimeter glazing, ensuring adequate lighting, ventilation and view while the curved interior walls are formed of u-glass and timber strips. It is worth noting, that the building of the Medical School, with its clear geometric volume and the central atrium incorporates a series of sustainable design strategies and integrates active and passive energy systems.