Workshop 2:
Reuse of Buildings in Anonymous Traditional Architecture

Traditional settlements are a vital element of our cultural heritage, as they preserve "memories of life" within their fabric, reflecting events and conditions from our cultural past. The protection and promotion of traditional settlements, as well as the restoration and reuse of the buildings that make them up, are imperative, as they can easily accommodate the needs of today.

In the context of this course, each student is asked to select a building from the anonymous traditional architecture of the broader region of Pelion. The student will first document the building through floor plans and elevations, as well as the details that characterize it (stairs, balconies, railings, etc.) (drawings at scales 1:50, 1:20 & 1:10-1:5). Based on the building program that each student will propose for their study, they will prepare the design plans for the reuse of the building.

The proposal plans will be both conceptual (space organization drawings - overall perception of the study: floor plans, elevations, sections | scale 1:50) and constructional (detailed design drawings | scale 1:20-1:5).

Materiality, after the idea, will primarily be explored through lectures by the instructor as well as invited colleagues (mechanical engineer, civil engineer). The lectures aim to provide a better understanding of the conditions that must be considered for the reuse of buildings, as well as the construction methods employed.

Additionally, each class will include critiques of the students' projects in front of the entire group, in order to enhance understanding of the reuse process in its various aspects.

An experiential approach is a key element of the course, which is why day trips to villages in Pelion will be organized. These trips will allow for the detailed study and documentation of buildings from anonymous traditional architecture and provide an understanding of past construction techniques. The program will also include visits to already restored buildings, where the old meets the new, and new technologies are integrated into the existing structures.

The goal of the course is to reassemble parts of the past life to create a new whole with new data that will serve the demands of modern life, while utilizing existing buildings and the natural characteristics of the area under study.