In 2023, work is set to begin on the Ellinikon Metropolitan Park, a 600-acre park, playground and cultural center on the coast of Athens. Designed by US architecture firm Sasaki, the design (shown here in an artist's impression) aims to provide much-needed green space to the Greek metropolis.
In 2023, work is set to begin on the Ellinikon Metropolitan Park, a 600-acre park, playground and cultural center on the coast of Athens. Designed by US architecture firm Sasaki, the design (shown here in an artist's impression) aims to provide much-needed green space to the Greek metropolis.
Sasaki
The park will include a public beach, sports venues, outside theaters, food and drink venues, playgrounds, and a sculpture park (shown here in a rendering).
The park will include a public beach, sports venues, outside theaters, food and drink venues, playgrounds, and a sculpture park (shown here in a rendering).
Sasaki
Located south of Athens' city center, the park will bring new life to the empty space around the former Ellinikon International Airport, once a bustling gateway to Greece.
Located south of Athens' city center, the park will bring new life to the empty space around the former Ellinikon International Airport, once a bustling gateway to Greece.
Lamda Development
Since the airport was decommissioned in 2001, the site has lain unused, <br />except during the 2004 Summer Olympic Games -- when it hosted softball, <br />baseball and hockey matches. The overgrown former stadiums can still be<br />seen today.
Since the airport was decommissioned in 2001, the site has lain unused,
except during the 2004 Summer Olympic Games -- when it hosted softball,
baseball and hockey matches. The overgrown former stadiums can still be
seen today.
Sasaki
More than 300,000 square feet of concrete and tarmac from old runways will be repurposed for paving and benches in the new park, helping to reduce the carbon emissions generated by the development.
More than 300,000 square feet of concrete and tarmac from old runways will be repurposed for paving and benches in the new park, helping to reduce the carbon emissions generated by the development.
Sasaki
The old airport terminal building, designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen in the 1960s, will also be preserved in the new development.
The old airport terminal building, designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen in the 1960s, will also be preserved in the new development.
Sasaki
It will become the centerpiece of a giant events lawn, where massive light poles from the former airport will also be reused, as shown in this rendering.
It will become the centerpiece of a giant events lawn, where massive light poles from the former airport will also be reused, as shown in this rendering.
Sasaki
The park will also be home to a 3.7-acre lake (shown here in a rendering), repurposed from the former Olympic kayak venue, which will be open for recreational use. It could also help to combat water scarcity, collecting and storing stormwater and helping to irrigate the park.
The park will also be home to a 3.7-acre lake (shown here in a rendering), repurposed from the former Olympic kayak venue, which will be open for recreational use. It could also help to combat water scarcity, collecting and storing stormwater and helping to irrigate the park.
Sasaki
The architects collaborated closely with Greek plant nurseries on the project, sourcing native seed mixes that will thrive in the park and bring ecological benefits. In total, more than 31,000 trees from 86 species will be planted. This rendering shows a pedestrian walkway lined with trees and plants that extends to the sea.
The architects collaborated closely with Greek plant nurseries on the project, sourcing native seed mixes that will thrive in the park and bring ecological benefits. In total, more than 31,000 trees from 86 species will be planted. This rendering shows a pedestrian walkway lined with trees and plants that extends to the sea.
Sasaki
The site borders the Mediterranean Sea, but the waterfront has long been inaccessible to Athenians looking for a coastal day out.
The site borders the Mediterranean Sea, but the waterfront has long been inaccessible to Athenians looking for a coastal day out.
Sasaki
Soon it will be transformed into a 1-kilometer-long public beach (shown in this rendering) with sun loungers and watersports, and an adjoining marina will make the area easily accessible by boat.
Soon it will be transformed into a 1-kilometer-long public beach (shown in this rendering) with sun loungers and watersports, and an adjoining marina will make the area easily accessible by boat.
Sasaki
The main entry point to the park will by via a tram line stop at Olympic Square, shown here in a rendering, which will be home to fountains, food and drink venues and an amphitheater for outdoor performances.
The main entry point to the park will by via a tram line stop at Olympic Square, shown here in a rendering, which will be home to fountains, food and drink venues and an amphitheater for outdoor performances.
Sasaki