A few years ago, there was an architectural competition for the restructuring of squares and pedestrians areas in Aglantzia, a part of Nicosia in Cyprus. Architects from the firm of Ioakim and Loizas won the competition. They intended to keep the design ‘traditional’ in order to preserve the surrounding structures in the region.
The philosophy of the proposal was that of gentle intervention, aiming at maintenance and re-establishment of elements of composition, character and "atmosphere of place". The proposal was focused on the re-establishment of continuity, extending vegetation as a basic component of quality of life, which helps in defining the character of the place as one of pavements and in the placing of squares in vital places of the traditional web. The use of vegetation as a basic component in defining the character of the place was important. This square was called ‘The square of Heroes’. They gave this name honoring people who lost their lives in the wars that were fought many years ago in Cyprus.
The square of Heroes is the pulse of the Aglantzia. It is a meeting point for great minds of art and literature. Many cultural events occur in this historic place. The residents of the village use the square in different ways. The square is used frequented by the local people to cut across the square. The square of Heroes was created as a place of rest and thought. Children use the square to meet and play with friends. The first drawing analyzing the possible paths clearly illustrated that this square is an area of traffic.
The site can be accessed by many different entrances, as there are no marked entrances. The area surrounding the site is quiet as the roads around the square are not busy and usually only used by the residents and few visitors.
With respect to the materiality, the square has a stonewall on the southern side that is a basic element of the organization; together with the stone benches that follows the building line. Each bench is different from the other in size and height such that they can be easily accessible to the elderly and children. For example, children may use the lower benches because are more comfortable for them.
The pavements are covered by natural stone with the decorative insets, which follows the sign posting for entries to properties, and points of interest in general. The things that you can see on the square are two big decoration sculptures, trees and benches. The sculptor Kiriako Kalli with cooperation of the Ioakim and Loizas architectural office created the sculptures.
A small Cypriot tavern, called the ‘To steki tou Costi’ is situated in front of the square. The square is surrounded by houses. There is a small parking area available outside the square convenient for tourists visiting the square and for the customers of the tavern.
Bibliography
Ioakim – Loizas, Pedestrian areas – Aglantzia, 2010. Web. 8 April 2013.
Aglantzia Municipality – Meet Aglantzia – squares. Web. 8 April 2013.
