Seniority in The Hierarchy
The National Research & Restoration Center of Nicosia
Research done under the supervision of Dr. José Manuel Pagés Madrigal
Urban Planning done in Group work with: Nourhanne El Kadi & Mays Badenjki
Software used: Autocad, Rhinoceros, VRay, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign
Urban Planning done in Group work with: Nourhanne El Kadi & Mays Badenjki
Software used: Autocad, Rhinoceros, VRay, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign
The country of Cyprus is divided equally between Turkey & Greece. Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, has been officially divided since 1974, with an impermeable Buffer Zone, imposed as an emergency measure against inter-communal violence, separating its Turkish and Greek Cypriot population for more than 35 years. Longing for one Nicosia, Urban Planning strategies are implemented in this proposal with one aim; dismantling the separating walls and redefining the meaning of the buffer zone. The Walled City of Nicosia, is envisioned as a knowledge city, receiving scholars, intellectuals, and students from surrounding countries to learn, live, and contribute to society. Spanning over 30 years for gradual and steady change, the project proposes four main pedestrian axes are planned from the north to the south borders of the wall passing by the city’s main landmarks. New artistic and literary faculties are zoned accordingly on surrounding urban voids with recreational, administrative, and co-working spaces serving the population. In 30 years, the buffer zone is no longer a separating wall, but a bridge of connection and a hub of a bicommunal life, subtly uniting Cypriots through knowledge, and art.
Following the vision of Nicosia as a city of knowledge and heritage, the architectural proposal that follows suggests a National Research & Restoration Centre for the city. In light of the newly discovered archaeological ruins during the construction of the new Greek Townhall, the project is located on the bordering plot, and is designed to be the first of its kind in the city, advancing the field and connecting the community to their city’s superimposed layers of archaeology, history, culture, and art. Along with the archaeology focused program, the cultural alternative agenda in the area is translated into architecture as residence for the young local artists of the city. Serving the nearby Nicosia Museum of Modern Arts, the project is an artists’ residence, annually hosting temporary exhibitions.
Nicosia as a City of Knowledge
In The Meantime
Nicosia Research & Restoration Centre of Archaeology
