Elysian culturale centre

Project idea

The Villa Tourkovasili is located in the area of Tripoli, Arcadia. It is a building situated on the southern side of the city, at the intersection of Kalamon and Hatzisaradou streets, on a plot with a total area of 920.09 square meters, and a surrounding area of 5 acres around the main building. It is near the church of Saint Tryphon, a short distance from Valtetsiou Square (Upper Market), and close to other significant historical buildings in the city centre, such as the Malliaropouleio Theater, the Matzouneio building, the old Town Hall, and the Judicial Mansion. Surrounded by greenery, it exudes mystery and hints at past glory.

It was built in the early 20th century by an Italian architect on behalf of Konstantinos Argyropoulos, a wealthy Greek of the diaspora, and was used for a short period as the residence of the Argyropoulos family. The mansion was a social hub of the city for years. The music that accompanied the soirées could be heard from its halls at night. However, it was also the site of some of the most important political meetings of the turbulent 20th century. Theodoros Tourkovasili, a lawyer by profession, participated in many governments, including those of Gounaris, Tsaldaris, and Kondylis.

The project involves the restoration and modernization of the building initially, and subsequently, the reuse and redesign of the interior and exterior spaces into a cultural centre for the Jewish community, in such a way as to achieve its preservation from total abandonment and enable its safe use.

This approach will preserve its unique character and transform its role in the life of the city.

Project description

The architectural proposal addresses the enhancement of historicity through "preservation," allowing the visitor to activate their imagination via spatial experience and develop familiar feelings through the use of "references." The respect with which we approach the intervention in the existing structure leads us to a mild intervention with light, temporary constructions that develop a dialogical relationship with the "old," interpreting the values of the space and redefining them with new expressive means. In this way, the historicity and characteristics of the building are highlighted, and by extension, the distinctiveness of the era from which it originated.

In this context, parasitic architecture offers answers and solutions to the problems arising from the need to create temporary shelters. It allows for flexible and temporary structures that feed off the existing structure, adapting to the environment without affecting the existing framework. Their natural growth process symbolically connects with the historical trajectory of the Jewish community that once existed in the area, as well as with the customs and traditions of the Jewish people. The study aims to create a modern cultural center with references to the Jewish community, which will attract the city’s residents, including children, youth, and adults, who wish to participate in a range of cultural events. A cultural centre typically operates as a hub for various cultural activities and functions within a community. Some of the activities and functions that a cultural centre can undertake include:

1. Arts and Cultural Programming
2. Workshops and Classes
3. Cultural Festivals and Celebrations
4. Community Engagement and Communication
5. Facility Rental and Space Sharing

More Specifically, It Will Include the Following Uses:

- **Theater Space with Dressing Rooms**
- **Library**
- **Reception and Office Space**
- **Playground**
- **Museum Space**
- **Living Spaces** for hosting visitors or community members who wish to stay overnight in the city.

Technical information

A light construction addition is proposed as a continuation of the existing building, embodying the principles of Parasitic Architecture. This extension will house the library's continuation, with part of the library located inside the main existing property. The idea behind parasitic architecture is to make effective use of urban space by utilizing existing structures instead of building entirely new ones.

The existing building will also house the offices and reception. The aim is to create a space capable of hosting exhibitions and small events with modular furniture and constructions that support such activities.

Around the perimeter and through pathways in the surrounding area, light additional constructions will be distributed. These structures will host the cultural centre's functions, combining four spatial entities with similar characteristics and materials.

### Fundamental Idea:

1. **Historical Journey of the Jews:** From the continuous conquests and expansions they faced from the 8th century, the Jewish Diaspora emerged. As a persecuted people, they were scattered to the ends of the earth and thrived despite many hardships.

Thus, with the Villa as the centre, the scattered arrangement of light constructions on the existing plot will create a sense of movement and fluidity, echoing the historical dispersion and resilience of the Jewish people.


2. **Within the Context of the Jewish Community:** In my research study, I explored the concept of circles, which is deeply intertwined and rooted in the religious and cultural practices, as well as in the historical and social events of the Jewish people. Reading circles of the Torah, historical and community circles, and circular themes in Jewish thought are prevalent. Therefore, the circle predominates, penetrating the quadrature of the general existing plot and embedding the corresponding spaces peripherally within it.

3. **Jewish Customs as Inspiration:** Jewish holidays are based on the annual cycle of nature’s seasons. One of these customs is Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). It is celebrated in the fall, lasts nine days, and commemorates the wanderings of the Jews after their liberation from Egypt when they had to live in tents, huts, or booths. Each believer holds the Lulav (a bundle consisting of a palm branch, three myrtle branches, two willow branches, and a citron), which they wave and offer prayers to the Creator either in the sukkah or in the synagogue. Our sages say that these four types of plants represent the Jewish people and compare the taste and fruitfulness of these plants, or the lack thereof, with the knowledge of the Torah and the good deeds people do or do not do. The fact that the Mitzvah requires holding all four species together symbolizes the unity that must exist among the Jewish people despite any differences.