Performing Arts Lake Retreat

University of Patras, School of Engineering, Department of Architecture, Patras

Project idea

The main idea of the project is to create an area where artists can be isolated with customized personal space, but at the same time communicate with each other, exchange ideas and perform. This area is essential to in touch with nature, so artists can be inspired ,and the proposal is reversible and with minimum impact on nature and the ground.

Project description

In continuation of my dissertation research, concerning living in relation to the element of water, I decided to design this project in accordance to that subject. Adding the special element of performing arts, inspired by my personal passion and education as a musician, the idea of the "Performing arts lake Retreat" was born.

Having studied the neolithic settlement (5000 B.C), on the South shore of the lake of Kastoria, in Greece, a part of the North shore was chosen as one of many plausible locations for the project.

Taking into account, orientation, shallow waters and a breathtaking view of the city of Kastoria, and surrounding mountains, the location is more than suitable. That and the basic idea of the artist's desire to escape the city, set the axis of the design process, as I believe, isolation, being in sync with nature and an unobstructed view, are key elements to inspiration. Treating the area as a white clean canvas, conditions that welcome inspiration were created.
Working with horizontal lines (main axis of the site-shore), and some angles that seem friendly to the site and it's orientation, I created the basic layout of the on-shore facilities.

"Performing arts lake retreat", also contains a non-fixed amount of modern stilt housing units of the same type, that are able to host a single artist each, and be positioned anywhere on the water, by request, scattered or arranged in clusters. The units are standarised with assembly taking place on site, lightweight, eco-friendly and are fully independent for many days as they are powered by solar energy and have autonomy of water and supplies.

Accompanying the units are some on land facilities the purpose being, to provide services to the inhabitants, accessibility, space for artistic expression and unit maintenance. All the, on land, facilities are designed to be also lightweight and with the minimum imprint on nature and the ground, while providing the option of disassembling and moving to other sites, if necessary.

The project is adjusted to the site, by taking advantage of the linearity and general characteristics of the surrounding area, but can adapt to various by-water areas.

Technical information

The newly proposed, original stilt unit is assembled on site. The main frame of it consists of a 5-piece aluminium frame for the base, 6 metal pillars that are used as adjusted stilts through telescopic mechanism, or for drainage of waters. The basic framework is completed with a hexagonal, steel, L-shaped ring that binds the pillars together and allows the tensairity roof to be placed. The construction is then completed with the addition of water, tanks, batteries, solar panels, "balcony", light glass windows and sliding doors, plus light wooden and steel walls.

Co-authors

Supervisor: Aikaterini Liapi