Office Complex in Kifissia

Project Name: Office Complex in Kifissia
Construction year: 2001
Website:
Address: Amaliados, Kalavriton & Kaiafa, New Kifissia , ATHENS - Greece

Architect(s) : MOB architects (www.mobarchitects.gr)
Project Category: Office

Latitude: 38.1022
Longitude: 23.8068

Design Concept

The project is a three – storey office complex. Consists of three buildings that create two independent volumes with unified common spaces. One building was designed to house one of the owners - the construction company itself, though the other two were built to be used commercially. The last two buildings were planned in such way so they can operate either separately or as an entity.

One of the main concepts for the design, was the linear order of the volumes with the widening of the access points and the choice of the 6.70 m grid so that it provides flexibility in the planning of the interior partitioning of the space in subdivisions of multiples of 3.35 m.

Description

The office spaces, including reception and circulation, are occupying the whole of the three upper levels, and are organized using lightweight screens to divide the space due to the need for flexibility being important.

The floor which is below the ground level is used as a garage.
Special attention was paid to the design of the surrounding landscape of the complex. To analyze this, the building volumes unfold around the perimeter of the site and encircle a common courtyard which acts as an access point to all buildings. The internal circulation spaces (staircases, corridors) are also placed facing onto the courtyard.

One of the issues that determined the design was the request for natural light and view for the users, so large glass facades exist on the south and east sides. Great concern was applied on the issue of sun shading, an important parameter of a climate of constant and intense sunshine as in Greece. Sun shade is succeeded by using permanent vertical and horizontal canopies, vertical screens of corrugated metal or polycarbonate sheets, supported by metal trusses. On the contrary, on the west facades there are relatively fewer openings.

Materials

The materials used, determined the total image of the building. Concrete, glass and steel are principal. The solid vertical surfaces are made of exposed concrete or are cladded with corrugated metal sheets or steel sheets.

For the external flooring, marble, paving blocks and industrial materials were combined with pebbles and planting.

The aim of the project was not to be presented as an austere impenetrable private ground but as an office core directly related to its environment.

Contributed by MOB architects