Cohabitation with the rock

The rapid expansion of modern cities is now a fact, leading us in seemingly inhospitable regions for habitation, in order to preserve the valuable, horizontal surfaces. Believing that vertical surfaces are most suitable and moving one step further we searched for environments that man has step off and now are useless, such as quarries. This design thesis constitutes an experimentation which aims in creating a mechanism, which can develop viable dwelling in such regions, following bottom up design processes and having as basic principles the landscape and its restoration. Our experimentation took place at the quarry of Asvestochori which can be a suburb of the city of Thessaloniki and an expansion of the settlement of Pefka and of Asvestochori.

Initially, because of the difficult terrain and the lack of vertical connections, we decided to study fluids behavior, which have the unique property to reveal obstacles and hidden opportunities while flowing on a specific surface. Through experimentation with physical models and then the decoding with a computer software (maya), precise conclusions were drew regarding the specific flow, the density, and the region of the fluids. Taking under consideration many environmental aspects especially solar exposure, the final position of our dwellings was a combination of the regions with the biggest solar exposure and the best vertical connections. This surface was divided into smaller strips, oriented in such a way as to allow the majority of the solar radiation entering inside. The combination of strips and the terrain, especially the plateau, have determine the form and placement of levels. The flow of liquid specified the starting poins of our vertical connections and its density the location of free public space. Space that transformed according to the stripes and accommodated various activities (athletic, cultural, communication) .Uses emerged in such a way, that the points on the levels with more lighting and ventilation, became residences, while for the rest of them (trade, services and leisure) were located in relation with the pedestrian connections creating an interesting interaction between public and private space. Our experimentation, transformed a wounded landscape in a quality residential complex, which can became a part of the wider urban fabric.