Panhellenic Architectural Competition of Ideas
by Emilia Karapostoli and Varvara Toura
The C. Papandreou’s axis & the statue of Alexander the Great and Diogenes
This proposal for the Seafront of ‘Kalamia’ Korinthos Competition by Aimilia Karapostoli and Varvara Toura, is an attempt to shape a new urban identity linking natural beach forms with Corinth’s heritage, enhancing ecosystem resilience and sustainability.
The design concept centers on linear parallelism and wavy forms that echo the natural coastal morphology. Water—its movement and forms—acts as a key reference. Elements of the Corinthian order, especially the acanthus leaves of the cynocephalon, are integrated as symbols of memory and cultural identity. Their curves inform an organic, flowing design that blends with the landscape.
Activity platforms, green areas, and walkways unite nature and city, forming a sustainable and aesthetically cohesive public space.
The central concept shapes the overall masterplan for regenerating Corinth’s ‘Kalamia’ coast, aiming to link the city’s urban fabric with the beach through a cohesive network of public spaces. Gentle architectural gestures organize activities and blend natural with urban elements. Recreational zones, sports areas, and environmental hubs, along with pedestrian and cycling paths, promote sustainable mobility. Native vegetation and coastal terrain are integrated with infrastructure, while gathering points like dining areas support year-round use. A unified road system enhances connectivity to the city. The use of linear and wavy forms ensures aesthetic unity, combining sustainability, cultural identity, and environmental awareness.
Architect engineer and urban planner by training, I worked as an architect-urban planner in France and Greece, my country of origin, before starting a thesis at EHESS in 2017. The objective of my thesis, conducted under the supervision of Marie-Vic Ozouf-Marignier and defended in January 2023, was to question the emergence of new territorial policies in deindustrialized cities in France within the framework of sustainable city programs and participatory public policies. We can observe that in this context the new territorial policies succeed in revitalizing the economic and social tissue of these cities. The thesis developed a comparative approach of two redevelopment projects for deindustrialized sites in France, Ile-de-Nantes and the Docks-de-Seine in Saint-Ouen, focusing on the case studies of two urban projects representative of participatory public policies, both located in central districts of deindustrialized cities. The aim of the research was to propose new urban planning models for deindustrialized cities, within the framework of sustainable development, by making the connection between the urban renewal programs within these cities and the question of the preservation of their industrial heritage.
