Project in Detail
Cocoon
Greece
polyanna paraskeva & associates, athens, Greece
2011
World Architecture Festival 2011 - Shortlisted
George Sfakianakis
The Cocoon is a building complex for the accommodation of infants and toddlers aged up to 3 years, where they are creatively engaged and develop their skills under the supervision of qualified baby nurses and trained staff. It is located in Navarino Dunes, the first area of Costa Navarino, in Messinia, Greece (south-western coast of Greece). The two buildings expand in a total area of 1000 sq.m. (340 sq.m. building area and 770 sq.m. outdoor space).
Inspired by the memory of the cocoon, as the space that carries life, the buildings include accommodation, spaces for creative and educational activities for toddlers, as well as areas of outdoor play. Going back to personal memories is a necessary ingredient to design for children.
The soft shapes that surround, contain and protect life derive from the concept of birth. Fluid forms and carved underground spaces with green roofs surround a basin from which organic forms emerge. The Cocoon creates a soft and secure environment for the accommodation of infants.
Eco-friendly materials, friendly to both humans and the environment, were selected for the construction, as well as the mobile and fixed equipment. Cocoon’s green roofs have insulating properties and the north orientation of the building minimizes sun exposure. Air shafts also create natural ventilation. The earth (green roof), the sun, the wind and the water surround, traverse, and define the building, thus comprising its inherent natural ingredients.
~ This project has been short-listed by SADAS-PEA (Association of Greek Architects) to represent Greece at the Mies Van der Rohe Award 2011
~This project has also received Honorable Mention in the category 'The best built work of the years 2008-2010' at the 'Domes 2011' Awards. Domes is an International Review of Architecture published in Greece and the jury of the awards was international.
Lead Architect »
polyanna paraskeva & associates
athens
Greece
Professional Credits »
Client / Developer
TEMES S.A.
Greece
Environmental Engineer
Meletitiki – Alexandros N. Tombazis and Associates Architects ltd.
Greece
Lighting Consultant
L+DG Thomas Gravanis Lighting Architects
Greece
Main Contractor
AKTOR
Greece
Structural Engineer
DOMI
Greece
Structural Engineer
ELLINIKI MELETITIKI
Greece