Ayia Napa Square
LIMASSOL TOWN CENTRE
3D MODEL BY ANDREAS PANAGIOTOU & IMAGES BY VICTOR HADJIKYRIACOU
The proposal is for a mixed use development comprising of a luxury 5 star Boutique Town Hotel with a cafes, bar and shops at the ground level, a multipurpose venue centre at mezzanine level and a restaurant and pool deck at the roof level, 4 levels of open plan office space and 2 levels of luxury residential serviced accommodation.
The project is located in the heart of Limassol’s most historic neighbourhoods with a prominent site bound on the North by the Ayia Napa Cathedral (one of the largest Byzantine churches of the old town) and by a busy 4 lane coastal road to the South.
Therefore a vital starting point to the design process was to clearly separate the vehicular traffic of the immediate surroundings from the public pedestrian flow and to reconnect the broken link between the seafront and old town.
Similar to an air traffic control, the two functions are separated at different levels of circulation avoiding contact by creating an elevated piazza at the level of the Historic town of Limassol and the seafront promenade.
The result is an elevated public piazza with 2 separate buildings creating a physical and visual corridor with the Church being at the focal point, viewed both from the public journey along the promenade and from the occupants of the building at all levels.
The proposed piazza extends from the boundaries of the site and with the use of a unified material finish around the existing square of the Church introducing soft landscaping, naturally shaded areas and large water features which create a cooling effect during the scorching summer months.
Extensive use of natural local stone is introduced at the lower (more public) levels of the building which is part of the core identity of the surrounding neighbourhood and 19th century listed architecture of the historic area.
At street level, the cars disappear into the basement parking under the podium and a wide open staircase with cascading water features invites the public up to the heart of the main square.
Curved balconies and set back floor to ceiling glazing is used on the upper levels, providing elevated sea views and the sweeping views of the church and old town beyond.
As part of the client brief we developed an new style of hotel accommodation with rooms that offer both work facilities within the room and break out conference rooms on each level.
The use of vertical copper fin screens creates the privacy from overlooking rooms and the adjacent office building with a linear orientation between the rooms so that they all enjoy a sea view to the South.
At the upper levels and without obstructing the view to the Church, the building form is rotated to bridge the 2 buildings and accommodates 12 apartments, a spa & gym and a mechanical platform, all serviced and operated by the hotel.
The floor plates on these levels are designed in a stepped manner both on the North and South boundaries creating outdoor areas to be utilised for private terraces with swimming pools and shaded pergola living areas.
At the roof level, there is a restaurant with private executive dining areas for the offices and a raised swimming pool deck which enjoys 360 degree views of the Limassol Old town centre.
Every aspect of this proposed development aims to encourage pedestrian public flow throughout the piazza at the existing Ayia Napa Church level and as a whole to attract people from all over the world, time and time again, making Limassol a world leading destination.
Our goal from the start has been to create a building, a neighbourhood, that connects into the historic fabric of Limassol, but one that has its own identity and integrity. We have tried to create humanistic environments that feel good to live in, work in and visit.
STUDY MODEL & DRAWINGS
