student proposal carves baths in greek island's volcanic landscape to repurpose mining sites

proposal Reclaims the mining sites of Giali’s volcanic landscape

Architectural student Dimitrios Mitsimponas proposes a new scenario for the manufactured landscape of Giali, an uninhabited volcanic island in Greece. Mining works have extensively affected the island’s natural landscape, creating many environmental and social effects. The idea explores the relationship between production infrastructure and leisure programs to reclaim the mining sites and create a new economic policy for the local communities. The designer proposes the utilization of Giali’s geothermal energy through an underground architectural program in which the energy production and the bathing element are the main points of interest. According to a cascading system, each space is organized depending on its heat and humidity needs, from warmer to cooler.

view of the mine from the hot pool | all images courtesy of Dimitrios Mitsimponas

A sustainable design plan utilizes the island’s geothermal energy

The thesis project by Dimitrios Mitsimponas closely observes Giali’s landscape which has been drastically transformed by anthropogenic factors. Two mining companies operate in four locations on the volcanic island that administratively belongs to the Municipality of Nisyros. The leasing of the lands to those companies is the most important source of income for the island which apart from declaring legislation imposing a tree planting scheme for their lending to reclaim the mine, has proposed no other plan regarding the island’s development after the completion of the mining works.

On the southwestern part of the island, the gradual merging of the manufactured with the natural landscape depicts man’s imposition on nature. A primary concern during the design phase was how different programs could be introduced to Giali sustainably, leading to a new scenario that proposed to utilize its geothermal energy through an architectural program in which the energy production and the bathing element take over the principal role. Geothermal energy is a renewable power source using heat contained inside the earth producing a minimal environmental footprint. Giali’s geothermal field is of high temperature, suitable for electricity generation through the installation of a Binary Cycle Geothermal Power Plant, a heat hub that produces electricity meeting Nisyros’ needs.

the building, at first sight, remains hidden, but it declares its existence through steam emissions

a porous building integrates into the volcanic landscape

The waste energy of the proposed geothermal station is consumed directly at Giali’s bathing facilities, just as geothermal sources are used by different cultures for purification and relaxation. The project differs from the standard techniques for reclaiming mining sites and explores the connection of the plant’s industrial character with the stimulating aura exuded by the baths. Standing in harmony with the ‘genius loci’, the bath facility highlights its distinctive atmosphere through a porous building integrated into the landscape. Referencing Sigfried Giedion the student adds a quote from his book ‘Mechanization Takes Command’ noting that ‘the bath and its purposes have held different meanings for different ages. The way a civilization incorporates bathing within its life, as well as the type of bathing it prefers, yields searching insight into the inner nature of period’.

Similarly, the design of the baths in the industrial landscape of Giali and its proximity to the geothermal power plant constitutes a new challenge that stimulates the visitors’ interest encouraging them to be informed about the origin of energy in modern societies, to reflect, and to relax. In addition, water, smells, changes in temperature and light, and the contact of the body with materials and textures provoke different emotions. The building belongs to a typology of constructions that explores the relationship between production infrastructure and leisure programs as a hybrid structure where all the senses are stimulated.

the central interior space of the baths creates a spatial continuum

axonometric section

physical model scale 1:200 made of matte board and plaster

physical model scale 1:200 made of matte board and plaster

physical model scale 1:500 made of matte board and plaster

Giali’s land topography changes throughout the years

site map of the island’s SW part

1/3

diagrammatic sections of the subterranean building showing its porosity

exploded axonometric

system operation process

project info:

name: Re-mining Giali: a new scenario for the manufactured landscape
designer: Dimitrios Mitsimponas

supervisor: Evelyn Gavrilou

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom