poseidonos (av.) — coastal commons

Sonia Tsakni

Ellinikón was the country’s international airport from 1938 to 2001. In 2004 some of the Olympic facilities, such as baseball stadiums and the canoe-kayak slalom center, were established in the old airport premises. During the refugee crisis in 2016-17 the old airport turned into a concentration camp, until Amnesty International urged for its shutdown due to the "appalling living conditions". Ellinikón now is an urban void, of 6,205,735 sqm total coverage, the length of its coastline is around 3.5 km long and it is surrounded by upper middle-class neighborhoods. These characteristics have been overpromoted and it has been advertised as a unique profitable investment. Lamda development, has pledged an 8 billion investment, promising to attract 1 million new tourists, eliminating the seasonality of Greek tourism and bringing the government 14 billion in tax revenue until its completion.

Poseidonos (av.)

On July 1st 2020 the demolitions started at Ellinikón. After the celebrated inauguration of the demolition process, in the presence of the Greek prime minister, during the first phase of the project around 900 buildings have been demolished and the coveted casino is almost completed, though, the inevitable failure of this venture is just around the corner. Lamda’s ambitious project however probably accomplished its foremost goal, profit. This project takes place some time in the near future with our site being a concoction of half-finished projects, buildings, etc. and debris left behind.

The housing unit as part of the urban fabric of the ever-evolving city, is being distinguished from the one located in the countryside and is defined by the density and the proximity to different amenities. Also, the social life, that the city dictates, in contrast to the countryside, is a significant factor in defining what a house is for the inhabitant of the city. The house apart from contributing the space where biological, and not, needs are satisfied, establishes the link between the resident and the city and is a point of reference for them.