VIRTUAL: Prague Heritages
Abstract
Architectural environments are considered to be among the most significant and recognisable references to cultures, heritage, and memories. Not only because through them we can reflect on construction methods, materiality, and techniques of the past, but mainly because spatial remains become often the means and the decoding system to discover unspoken histories, values, and fading social structures. The present paper aims to discuss student interpretations of sensory experiences and contemporary issues, through the architectural analysis of complexes, buildings, and interiors that incorporate a rich sociocultural past. Student projects deal with the reconsideration of built spaces and the re-evaluation of their structure as contemporary heritage. Spatial complexes become the field for visual narrations, and commentary focusing on architecture’s impact on human emotions. The reconfigured materiality aims to explore immaterial characteristics through sensory, emotional, and cognitive perception towards a purposeful revival of a place. One of the main case studies for further discussion is the re-interpretation of the abandoned mid 20thc psychiatric hospital of Leros and the reuse and reconstruction of part of the building complex into a memorial site. The project is a reflection of the relationship between space, both as an architectural creation and as a shell of social structure, and its impact on the emotional, psychological and social aspects of human existence. The design approach aims to awaken feelings related to spatial constructions and social structures, raising the visitors’ awareness. The proposed designed route through the ruins of the complex aims to create a spatial experience based on the parallel interaction of senses, spirit, and emotions.
Dr Anna Efstathiou is Associate Professor and Interior Design Programme Coordinator, Department of Architecture, University of Nicosia, Cyprus. She holds a Diploma in Architecture (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece), an MA in Industrial Design (Birmingham Polytechnic, UK), an MBA degree (University of Macedonia, Greece) and a PhD (Edinburgh College of Arts, Heriot Watt University, UK). Also served as Course Leader of the BA and MA Interior Design Programmes of AAS – UCLAN in Thessaloniki (Greece). In parallel to her academic involvement, she has been a practicing Architect Engineer.
Elpida Roidou is an Architect Engineer (Masters in Architecture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece). Her Diploma thesis “Sensory Design on the Trace of Leros Former Psychiatric Hospital”, was supervised by Dr Dimitris Gourdoukis. As a practicing Architect Engineer she collaborated with Landscape Roidis, Architecture-Landscape architecture practice (Thessaloniki, Greece), xyzzy multidisciplinary project-space (Thessaloniki, Greece), UA Architects, Architectural practice (internship, Eindhoven), Transforming the (re)public (workshop), Archisearch online architecture and design magazine.
Christina Vergopoulou-Efstathiou is an Architect Engineer (Masters in Architecture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece). Her Diploma thesis “Sensory Design on the Trace of Leros Former Psychiatric Hospital”, was supervised by Dr Dimitris Gourdoukis. As a practicing Architect Engineer she collaborated with ARCHIGRAPH architectural practice (Thessaloniki, Greece), xyzzy multidisciplinary project-space (Thessaloniki, Greece), monom works s.r.o. Architectural practice (internship, Prague, Chech Republic), Designboom online architecture and design magazine (internship).
Maria Vergopoulou is a qualified architect, based in the UK. She completed her Bachelor degree studies in architecture (RIBA Part I), Masters degree in architecture (RIBA Part II) and postgraduate diploma (RIBA Part III) at the University of Westminster, in London. Her Masters degree was mainly focused on the exploration of parametric design and digital fabrication. She has worked as an architectural assistant at Pattern PDP, where she was part of the project team delivering two of the FIFA World Cup 2022 stadiums in Qatar. Since 2018 and currently, she is working as a senior architect at Zaha Hadid Architects, involved in several large scale projects, including masterplans and high rise towers.
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Wednesday 28th June, 2023