The proposal in the urban scale is based on the creation of a network of hospitality and inviting public spaces, where various movements and paths intersect and host ephemeral and permanent uses, thus endorsing social activity and interaction in an area that is highly disconnected and segregated. The transition from the surface of the festivities and events to the everyday circumstances, where public spaces acquire dual identity is a crucial requirement of our proposal. Building on what is already there and enhancing it by re-defining space is a driving design principle. Research begins with two parallel investigations, the mapping of the everydayness of the locals and the hidden qualities of the built environment, parallel to the discovering of the Timeline of the Settlement of Strovolos and its History. Identifying points of interest based on mapping, such as Frankish era irrigation facilities, medieval gardens, metalwork draftsmanship, courtyards and orchards in the old core, informal activities, revealed the potential nodes and possible links that this new public network would be consisted of.   

The proposal works with minimal design interventions in order to cancel strong edges and divisions, encouraging the implementation of a fluid penetration into this new public social landscape. The existing strict geographical outlines of the site are intentionally blurred, thus creating a new functional, spatial continuity and coherence with the adjacent neighborhood. The continuous treatment of the surface of the intervention brings to light and connects the nodes of the public network to the traditional city fabric and the river bed. A new public place is emerging into a continual region that is fueled by new experiences, the daily operation and the scale of city events. Indicating space to existing informal activities and at the same time overlaying along a path, new elements and uses creates a network of nodes and lines, of possible public activities along this new pedestrian network, where overcrossing of multiple flows and paths, as well as permanent and ephemeral uses co-exist. 

(in cooperation with M. Hadjisoteriou and S. Floridou)