The iconic Piraeus Tower is undergoing a major redevelopment that will see it become a contemporary, bioclimatic landmark of Athens and Greece’s first certified “green” high-rise building.
Located along the starting point of Athens Riviera, Piraeus Tower is a 34,600 sqm, 22-storey building that rises 88 metres above sea level. Once completed, the sustainable building that boasts panoramic views will host the first “green” retail, food and beverage space in Greece, along with luxury office spaces and a terrace overlooking Piraeus Port.
The original tower was completed in 1975 but except for the first three floors, the interior has never been occupied. In 2020, Dimand SA and Prodea Investments came to an agreement with the Municipality of Piraeus to transform the tower into modern offices, retail, and restaurants, with architecture studio PILA redesigning the façade of the building.
Retail HallOffice SpacesRestaurants
According to officials, the Piraeus Tower “will consist of a structure that is visually intriguing and incorporates strategies in order to drastically reduce the energy consumption of the building. The façade is conceived in order to integrate the structure into the daily life of the city and to enhance the lives of citizens and the users of the building.
“The design mediates the scale of the city and that of the tower, engaging the prospect of offering amazing exterior spaces and sharing breathtaking views. A shading structure consisting of vertical and horizontal overhangs clads the volume of the tower. Each vertical fin is horizontally displaced from one floor to the next and creates a spring pattern that wraps around the building.”
The rejuvenation of Piraeus Tower is expected to be completed by September 2023.
The inaugural Athens Design Forum, a non-profit event, has been launched in the Greek capital; aiming to celebrate Greek design, architecture, and creativity through a series of exhibitions, seminars, workshops, and archival studies.
Running from 30 September through to 7 October 2021, the festival, which is the first of its kind, is supported by The City of Athens and The Behrakis Foundation and brings together specialists, innovators, and strategic partners who highlight the history and prospective future of design in the country and beyond. In an experimental format, the non-profit organisation’s mission is to invite local and global audiences to experience design in Athens, solidifying the Mediterranean capital as a historical and contemporary epicenter of creative production.
“Athens Design Forum (ADF) bridges traditional and contemporary design principles to inspire socially conscious and sustainable design. Introducing an experimental format for experiencing design that is rooted in the traditional heritage of the Mediterranean, ADF brings local wisdom to a global scale,” state the organisers of the event.
Delta at SNFCC
Furniture by Dionisis Sotovikis
“Our vision is to sustain formative dialogues, amplify the craft and design sectors, build strategic partnerships with local and global organizations, and create accessible knowledge,” adds ADF.
Highlights during the forum include a visit to Papagos House, which is the private residence and studio of legendary Greek painter Alekos Fassianos- this will be open to the public for the very first time; as well as a studio visit with emerging local designer Kostas Lambridis- set in the industrial area of Nea Ionia.
A selection of furniture designs made by architect Dionisis Sotovikis will be shown in his personal residence, a historic landmark built by Aristomenis Proveleggios; and a unique performance designed by Tellurico and Neostandard will showcase “stucco,’’ an ancient technique commonly used in Mediterranean countries such as Greece, which covers walls and pillars of classical buildings, often reproducing precious stones like marble and granite.
As part of the forum, the Benaki Museum Shop will also be presenting a curated collection of ceramic works at the Ghika Gallery Shop. For the entire program head to Athens Design Forum.
Wandering around small alleyways on the Greek islands in summer you will come across endless white-washed walls of homes, hotels, taverns, terraces, churches, and shops richly adorned with Bougainvillea.
The popularity of this pretty flower has now grown worldwide and if you would like to plant some at home, no matter where you reside here is all you need to know!
What is Bougainvillea?
Greece’s most cherished flower
Bougainvillea are tropical vines that can grow from 1 metre to 12 metres high. There are now dwarf varieties available, known as Bambino bougainvillea, which are great for use in pots or as low hedges. The petals of the Bougainvillea flower resemble delicate paper and come in various shades of pink, red, orange, white, and purple.
Where can you plant Bougainvillea?
-It can grow on practically any surface, such as a small potted plant, a tree, or on your terrace.
-Bougainvillea needs plenty of light. So just make sure to plant it at a spot where it gets direct sunlight. Keep in mind, that your bougainvillea will not bloom unless it gets enough direct sunlight, roughly 8 hours per day.
-Bougainvillea can be planted in the garden, but keep in mind that they have a large root system. When planting in pots, use a potting mix for shrubs and go for a larger sized pot so that it will last longer. If you would like a smaller potted plant, go with a Bambino variety and a smaller pot to ensure that the soil doesn’t remain wet.
-Bougainvillea can be used in many ways including climbing on fences, walls, and pergolas adding brilliant pops of colour. When planting as a hedge or standard feature plant, they need regular pruning to retain the desired shape.
Bougainvillea is displayed across white washed walls all around Greece
Growing Bougainvillea in your garden
-Choose a well-drained spot in the garden that attracts the full sun.
-Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots.
-Position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down. Form a raised ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant’s root zone. This helps keep water where it’s needed. -Water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.
Growing Bougainvillea in a pot
-Choose a wide pot. Position in full sun and fill with quality potting mix.
-Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots.
-Position in hole and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.
Plant it near windows
Cultivation
-If you are looking for a low-care plant, this is for you. It’s resistant to insects and disease, but of course, you should check in on it often. A bacterial leaf spot can also form in wet conditions, but this can be prevented by keeping foliage dry. -Water only when leaves start to wither and do not over-water because leaves will turn yellow and drop, or you will get lots of foliage and no flowers. Also, be careful when fertilizing because if you over-fertilize you will still get a green plant with no flowers.
The Right Climate -Bougainvillea doesn’t like low temperatures and harsh wind drafts. So, make sure to plant it near a wall, train it on a trellis, or any spot that is protected from harsh wind and tie it steadily.
-If you live in areas with extremely low temperatures in winter, it would be advisable to cover your bougainvillea with plastic in order to prevent the plant from freezing.
Perfect touch to an archway
Caring Tips
-Little feeding and watering is required once established.
-Avoid overwatering. Excessive water can cause the leaves to drop from the plant.
-Bougainvillea only needs occasional watering during the winter months, but regular watering during warmer months is essential to keep the roots cool.
-To assist in brightening, you can feed your plant with a phosphorous and potassium-based fertiliser in early spring before flowering.
-The best time to prune is in autumn, to clean off old flowers.
-Watch out for those spikes and make sure you wear gloves when trimming.
