Houses of Parliament
NICOSIA - CYPRUS
COMPETITION ENTRY - 3RD PRIZE
CULTURAL
Since the Independence in 1960, the Cyprus Parliament has been housed in an old converted building unsuited for its use. A site for a new Parliament building in the centre of Nicosia was chosen for an international competition.
During the design process, it was anticipated that antiquities might lie beneath the site, and to thoughtfully incorporate any unearthed findings, a large void was intentionally left beneath the Parliament Council Chamber. This void serves as a flexible space that allows for the integration of discovered artifacts, ensuring that the history of the site is preserved and celebrated within the design.
The office spaces, reception areas, and committee chambers were conceived as a plinth-like structure, providing a solid base that supports the curved, floating form of the circular Parliament Chamber above.
This strategic design creates a clear spatial distinction between the public and private functions of the building while emphasizing the monumental presence of the chamber itself. The plinth acts as both a functional foundation and a visual anchor, reinforcing the integrity of the architectural composition while accommodating the potential integration of the site’s archaeological findings.
The civic nature of the building was reinforced with an open square in front of the main entrance, extending on the other side of the new Parliament avenue giving the building the deserved breathing space for the symbolic and historic role of celebrating democracy.
