INTERelationships || Yanniotis & Associates | Architects & Consulting Engineers || Architect of the Year Awards 2020

Yanniotis & Associates | Architects & Consulting Engineers: Winner of Architect of the Year Awards 2020. This is a project of a modern residence at the final stage of construction in Poland. The 980 m2 house is designed for a large family of three generations who appreciate comfort, originality and modern style. The facade of the two-storey building attracts with its lightness. The large glass area of the house provides perfect natural light and a beautiful view of the surroundings.

Studio Name: Yanniotis & Associates | Architects & Consulting Engineers Design Team: Constantinos Yanniotis, Architect NTUA, Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineer University of Patras Consultants: 1. Eleni Maistrou, Architecture Consultant, Architect-Emeritous Professor NTUA,
2. Yannos Yanniotis, Architecture Consultant, Architect E.A.U.G.
3. Vasilis Kalopisis, Research Consultant, Coordinator of the NGO “Petagma”
4. Konstantinos Gianniotis, Passiv Haus Standard Consultant, Mechanical Engineer AUTH
5. Civil Engineering: Panagiotis Chatzisarandis, Civil Engineer AUTH
6. Mechanical Engineering: Alexandros Venetis, Mechanical Engineer MSc
7. Dr Dimitrios Klisiounis, Mech-Elec Engineer NTUA
Other Credits: 1. Konstantinos Xanthopoulos, Presentation Editing, Architect NTUA
2. Harry Arapantzis, Business Developer
3. Maria Yarmeniti, Business Consultant
Area: Residential Units 539 M2, Public Usages 996 M2 Year: 2019 Location: Athens, Greece

INTERelationships is a pilot, sustainable, collective housing, supported living complex with public usages that hosts vulnerable groups of people living in a collective community. The social impact of the project is important because it (re)integrates these people with work and joint participation in a multitude of activities with city residents. It may thus become a cultural attraction where interpersonal relationships develop through social, cultural and leisure revenue-generated activities run by tenants. Fundamental aim of the project is to demonstrate that UD fits into buildings or complexes with modern aesthetics by proposing a sustainable dwelling model. Sustainability is defined in terms of Infrastructure (Zero Energy), User (Universal Design, Health Monitoring Technology, Community Living, Social Integration, Potential Job offer) and Operation Management (full Human and Spatial Resources Utilization, Zero Waste, Water Management).

INSPIRATION The whole synthesis develops around the unobstructed z-shaped movement of the passer-by accessing the property, crossing through its heart via flat accesses and gentle rise ramps, entering the building and finally climbing up to the planted rooftop via the Stairwell Exhibition spaces. Scrupulous combination of circulation and resting areas offers relaxation opportunities. The passerby may cross the heart of the complex, make a short stop, cool and continue their course, thus contributing to the complex social character. The experience of discovering the building through movement is stimulating and enriched with qualities missing from contemporary cities. The deliberate movement complexity with the diagonal accesses of the bridges and the multilevel outdoor expansions, enhance building morphology and allow the complex to be viewed from many angles.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION The complex consists of two Residential Unit Blocks and the Stairwell Exhibition Block that accommodates all circulation and connection paths. There are three entrances leading to the main courtyard, two of which are fully accessible. The z-shaped courtyard, hosts a swimming pool with pool bar, an indoor cafe and the exterior exhibition spaces visually connected to the ancient masonry relics found inside the body of the main building. The pool area nests in the restored perimetric neoclassical masonry, thus serving as a scenography setting. The ascending movement evolves into the Stairwell Exhibition Block accessing the creative workshops, the multipurpose room and the Management office spaces, concluding to the rooftop where the cocktail bar, the playground and the outdoor screenings are positioned. These public usages are run by the tenants thus contributing to operational sustainability.

DESIGN CHALLENGES The morphological and functional incorporation of the masonry remains of the two, two-storey neoclassical buildings and of the ancient masonry relics. Both elements were preserved and showcased.
REDEFINITION OF THE STAIRWELL CONCEPT The Stairwell can support other uses and serve as a useful space for tenants. The relevance and visual contact with the antiquities serve as a meaningful connection between modern and ancient art in its function as an Exhibition space.

COMMUNITY LIVING The Apartments of the complex are designed in order to allow Independency, Accessibility, Privacy, Family (or Supporting Team) controlled intervention boosting self-esteem and dignity. A consultancy room equipped with the necessary fixtures and cloud server, serves as a small medical center for the health monitoring of the tenants. The Pubic Usages offer Supportive Employment opportunities, satisfying the Social Needs of the tenants through social, cultural and leisure revenue-generated activities necessary for the operation and economic growth of the Complex.

SUSTAINABILITY
Fundamental aim of the project is to propose a Sustainable Dwelling Model. Sustainability is defined in terms of Infrastructure (Zero Energy), User (Universal Design, Health monitoring Technology, Social Integration, Community Living, Supported Employment) and Operation Management (Utilization of complex resources-both human and spatial, Zero Waste).
Zero Energy and reduction of the CO2 emissions is endured through Passive and Active systems. Planted roofs, water element and planting improve microclimatic conditions. Polycarbonate sheet sidings allow immense natural lighting. Photovoltaic panels and small Roof Wind Turbines generate enough power to cover energy residential needs. Energy accumulators store and release energy when needed. Geothermal and Thermal Mass systems for cooling, heating and hot water. Decentralized blower units, waste heat recovery, and flexible multi-mode operation for maximum efficiency and thermal comfort. Passive House Standard to the Building Envelope. Collection, purification and reuse of water, recycling and waste management through a small composting unit, all contribute to the green operation satisfying the energy footprint of the complex infrastructures.

Firm || Yanniotis & Associates | Architects & Consulting Engineers
Project Name || INTERelationships
Architect || Yanniotis Constantinos
Architect of the Year Award Category || Housing Concept Low-Rise

Project Location || Athens
Team || Constantinos Yanniotis, Eleni Maistrou, Yannos Yanniotis, Vasilis Kalopisis, Konstantinos Gianniotis, Alexandros Venetis, Dr Dimitrios Klissiounis, Konstantinos Xanthopoulos
Country || Greece
Photography ©Credit || ©Yanniotis

Constantinos Yanniotis graduated from the School of Architecture NTUA in 2011, following the completion of his studies of Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Patras (2003). Since 2015, he has been practicing as Lead Architect at the Yanniotis & Associates Architectural Bureau, having an expertise in Inclusive Design. The Bureau has been active in the field of Architectural Design and Planning since 1977, when it was first established by Yannos and Vassiliki Yanniotis. In its long-lasting activity, the Bureau has completed a significant number of projects in various fields of building design and urban planning, ranging from residential buildings and office spaces, to industrial buildings, tourist facilities, golf resorts & sports centres, culture, restoration and reformation of listed historical buildings, urban planning, interiors, special designs etc. Facing towards the new challenges, contemporary design account for Inclusive Design practices, Sustainable Energy Technologies and Integrated IT Services.