From Architecture Week
http://www.architectureweek.com/2004/1103/design_2-2.html

There was no shortage of architectural history to draw from. In fact, there was arguably too much to incorporate. While many may think of the classical tradition of Greek culture, such as that articulated in the columns and architraves of the Parthenon, Calatrava also drew from a later Greek tradition: the Byzantine.

The arches and vaults associated with the Byzantine style would be more suitable for modern purposes, the architect believed, particularly in spanning very large spaces, such as the Olympic Stadium. "However," he noted, "the sequence of the [civic] space in plan is very classical, with the central axes, Agora, Plaza of the Nations, and stoa-like entrance plazas."

Calatrava also drew from the Mediterranean style in the landscaping and in his choice of materials, such as ceramic tile. "So I would say," Calatrava concluded, "that the plan is classical, the elevations are Byzantine, and the spirit is Mediterranean."

Roofing the Stadium

Usually an architect's most significant contribution to an Olympics site is the stadium. In Athens, one of Calatrava's jobs was to design a new roof for an existing 72,000-seat stadium originally designed by Rudolf Moser. The roof partially covers the seating, in case of inclement weather, while also signaling to the world that great Greek architecture is not limited to ancient times. The polycarbonate roof is suspended by steel cables from tubular steel arches that reach a height of about 236 feet (72 meters) and span 997 feet (304 meters).

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1. The stadium roof by Santiago Calatrava partially covers an existing stadium and is suspended from two massive tubular arches.

2. Entrance canopy at the 2004 Olympic Stadium in Athens.

3. Entrance canopy detail.

4. Calatrava's Agora is a curving promenade with 99 tubular, vaulted steel arches.

5.The Agora at night.

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Like that of the stadium, the roof of the velodrome is suspended from two massive tubular arches. Graceful cables suspend the velodrome roof from the massive arches

Enduring Civic Spaces

All the facilities were completed on time, despite the pregame worry, and are outstanding in composition. In addition to the stadium roofs, Calatrava created the Agora, a curving promenade running along the northern edge of the site with 99 tubular, vaulted steel arches. These anchor a 200,000-square-foot (18,600-square-meter) pedestrian arcade and connect to a beautifully landscaped band of water and trees.

The curving Agora defines a semicircular, central gathering place, the Plaza of the Nations. This area was built to accommodate as many as 300,000 people in a setting resembling a sloping, landscaped amphitheater. More than the other structures, arguably, the Plaza of the Nations will remain useful to nearby residents of the northern suburban area of Athens.

On the other side of the Plaza of the Nations is the Nations Wall, incorporating more tubular steel elements. This 850-foot-long (259-meter-) sculpture moves in a wavelike motion to alternate light and shadow in a dramatic form.

A key to Calatrava's master plan is pedestrian access, with four new entrance plazas acting both ceremonially and practically to connect with a central path around the complex and to the nearby Irinis Railway Station.
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Looking at the Nations Wall.


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The white-tiled Mediterranean style blends with classical, Byzantine, and Calatrava's own design style.


Only time will tell how much of this renowned designer's work will truly remain of lasting use and significance to Athens and its people. But as the city strives to show that the distant past is not Greece's only architectural legacy, it's hard to imagine a better shoulder to tap than that of this poet of arching modern forms

Bravo Zafiris! Excellent post!

Pragmatika, otan vlepis tis fotografies katalavaineis ti thavmasia pou einai i douleia tou Calatrava.

Interesting article zafiris.

Also not mentioned in the article is the concept for the complex when viewed from above. The walkways from the indoor halls and the stadium itself radiate out to the water features so at to represent the sun's rays - sunlight being a very important feature of the Attic landscape. The same is true of the use of fine sand and brown colours for the gathering spaces (although I think they underestimated the effect of Athens' famous Meltemi winds when planning for this!).

The location-orientation of the facilities to is at least partly inspired from the layout of the temples on the acropolis. From the western entrance you walk up the imposing stairs to the velodrome (propylea - Erechtion), and finally to the main stadium (Parthenon).

The choice of blue-white combinations and the extensive use of water also has strong cultural overtones for Greece.

The whole complex is stunning whichever way you look at it, and it is definitely going to be a landmark-asset for years to come. The article suggests that only time will tell but I think it will be inevitable.

http://www.stadia.gr/oaka/oakaworks36th.jpg

Kαινούργιες κατοικίες στο Μαρούσι.

http://www.lamdaolympiavillage.gr/common_images/poreia/a_50big.jpg
Τα διαμερίσματα διαμπερή και πολυτελών προδιαγραφών παρέχουν στον ιδιοκτήτη πληθώρα παροχών με στόχο τη διαμόρφωση ιδανικών συνθηκών διαβίωσης.

Η εσωτερική διαρρύθμιση των διαμερισμάτων προβλέπει ευρύχωρους χώρους υποδοχής, τζάκι, μεγάλα υπνοδωμάτια, μπάνια με υποδοχή υδρομασάζ κατ' επιλογή, WC με douche, φωτεινές κουζίνες.

Οι προδιαγραφές για τους κατοίκους περιλαμβάνουν ιδιόχρηστους χώρους, μεγάλους ημιυπαίθριους χώρους και βεράντες με απρόσκοπτη θέα.

Τα συστήματα αυτόνομης θέρμανσης, αυτόνομου κλιματισμού με αεραγωγούς και στόμια, η εγκατάσταση φυσικού αερίου, η εγκατάσταση electro boiler 150L με ηλεκτρική λειτουργία κατά βούληση, οι υπόγειοι χώροι στάθμευσης και οι αποθηκευτικοί χώροι αποτελούν ορισμένες μόνο από τις παροχές του πρότυπου αυτού οικιστικού συγκροτήματος


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