Sailing Center

The aim of this project was to create an international Sailing Centre in the area with the potential of organizing major sporting events. For a sailing center to be self-supported, except for the financial support received from membership fees and donations, it has to offer services to the general public such as rental spaces, or organization of various events, lectures, exhibitions in order to obtain additional funds to support the sports department. Under these conditions, its design concept must be developed on two axes, the athletic department and the recreation department. The necessary spaces for the athletic part include administration - secretarial offices, ship sheds, warehouses, lecture hall, changing rooms and gym. It also includes an amphitheater, a multipurpose hall, sail tailoring, hostels for athletes and restaurant - lounge.

The selection of Rafina, specifically the area next to the harbor, was based on the distance from other yacht clubs in the region, as it is located in-between Lavrio - Oropos route. In addition, it is connected by Attiki Odos with the rest of Attica and the Airport. Finally, due to the coastal connection with many Aegean islands, Rafina is the prime location in terms of accessibility.

The selected site is located in the Northwest part of Rafina's central port and specifically where the current Yacht Club operates. Main access to the site is by the road network, which leads to the port. West of the intervention area and­ adjacent to it, rises the relief pattern of the rock with a height difference from the sea level approximately 26m. This vertical "banner" defines the space between the sea and the city of Rafina and makes the placement of the proposal very attractive.

The basic goal of our design was the least possible alteration of the landscape and the ridge of natural volumes. Accordingly, the integration of the building mass in the volume of the rock has been the main choice of our synthesis.

The volume of the building integrates perfectly to the eroded rock and restores the space while the building size aligns with the scale of the landscape.

The underground structured space is bounded by the pier with an elongated inclined wall designed on the trail of the natural rock. Large openings in the wall, enables its function as a filter between the  area of the pier and the semi-enclosed and fully-enclosed spaces located behind it. In order to achieve proper lighting and ventilation of the building, we created a patio in the center and along the undercut volume, which integrates and correlates the main internal movements and functions. Alongside it unifies visually the three levels of the building. The need to increase port's capacity, led us to create a pier starting from the main entrance of the building and ending at the center of the harbor in a tower-observatory. The pier carries a second level, which could be used for observing the preparation of sailing boats, for sailing races with remote-controlled boats, but also as a natural ending of the visitors stroll through the club.

The main access shaft is the road leading to the port. Our attempt to link the upper city of Rafina with the club and the port, led us to the revival of the old path leading from the church of St. Nicholas to the old beach. This path now crosses the club and then either through a concrete ramp-staircase leads to the port level, or through the second level of the pier ends to the observatory tower, thus serving not only yachting, but also the residents of the city, making the club and sailing part of the local community.

Functionally, the building operates on three levels:

- On the ground floor, where the main entrance acts as a nodal point, the areas of the club are organized in two groups: in members' or visitors' areas and in areas designated for athletes.

- On the first floor there are places mainly for athletes, the president's office and the hall of the Board of the club.

- On the second floor the lounge is located, where operates a cafe and a restaurant. The lounge extends outdoors to the sea through a wooden deck, with an impeccable view of aquatics, either from the inside or the outside area. On the outside of the building, next to the entrance of the second floor and above the auditorium, the multi-purpose hall is located which communicates and shares through an internal scale the ancillary areas of the amphitheater on the ground floor. This room will be used primarily for exhibitions and for kiosks placement (materials and clothing) during games or music events. The natural lighting of this area is achieved through an opening on the roof, while perimetrically enclosed. This quality makes it possible to organize art exhibitions, since it creates better conditions for viewing the exhibits.

The old revived path starting from St. Nikolaos ends at this level. Moreover the second floor of the metal pier leading to the sea starts at the same level. The second level will allow the visitors of the club to walk to the sea and observe the preparation of vessels without obstructing athletes.

Perforated metal shades are placed on the outdoor area of the second floor. These shades "float" above the building, forming a wavy light finish and providing the necessary shading to the entrance area, the atrium and the wooden deck.