MUSEUM FOR THE ANCIENT SHIP ARGO, VOLOS, GREECE

INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURAL COMPETITION

 

PROJECT MANAGERS

PANOS KOUNTOURAS , LIDA DITSA

 

PROJECT TEAM

PANOS KOUNTOURAS , LIDA DITSA

 

PROJECT INFO

 

USE: MUSEUM

LOCATION: PORT OF VOLOS, VOLOS, GREECE

OWNER: MUNICIPALITY OF VOLOS

TOTAL AREA OF BUILDING: 2.428 M²

 

STUDY: 2013



DESCRIPTION
The concept of the synthesis initiates by the placement of the basic exhibit, Argo, in a wooden box in other words by imboxing it. The word box (kivotio) ,in ancient Greek, is a hyporistic for the word arc (kivotos), which is used to describe a place where a spiritual-historic heritage is salvaged. This wooden shell is subject to a field of forces that provoke a number of transformations. The outcome of these alterations is a building charged with dynamic energy.
In the interior the building comes to carry the narration of a trip that begins in Iolkos, follows a big circle and returns to the starting point. With a topologic-geometrical approach and with the addition of the parameter of time, we have to do with a spiral course. This geometrical diagramme is put to form with the creation of a linear, spiral route in which the visitors are led with the basic artifact in its center. Thus, the voyage revives and the interior of the building is an assistance to the perception of space & time .
The architecture of the building is a combination of two basic factors: on one hand, the concept of a unified Museum space, and on the other of a semi transparent technological shell which is minimal and energy efficient. This way semi transparency is induced with the following results: a. reduction of energy consumption and b. creation of an evocative environment in which the exhibits are presented.
In the interior, a dominant central high rise space is the core of the exhibition’s spaces which are unfolded around it. Furthermore the Museum expands on the top with a lightweight metal structure with transparent siding to provide an unobstructed view to the sea, the natural environment of Argo’s voyage.