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Promoted by the society Jakintza Baitha and other European philhellenic societies, this is the preliminary study to build an educational complex - gymnasium, lyceum and university - for gifted European students which will be educated in classical humanities and use classical Greek as common language in addition to each group’s mother tongue.
The project is to be built over a sloping plot of land overlooking the sea in the Island of Kea, one of the Kyklades, situated opposite Cape Sounion, house of the well-known Temple of Poseidon.
The entire project is conceived as an homage to those aspects of Greek urban tradition which are the basis of the occidental idea of the city. Thus, the images of the agora of Assos, the Acropolis of Pergamon, the traces of Priene or Miletus which are willingly explicit in this proposal.
The place is truly beautiful, an abrupt hillside on a bay facing East with a beach on its feet and the possibility of building a small harbour. Therefore the analogies – Assos, Pergamon or Priene – aforementioned.
This project is composed of three different parts:
I. Educational Acropolis
Situated on the higher level it is composed of a series of interlocked public spaces where the educational buildings are located. The overall exterior image evokes ancient cities and also the orthodox monasteries of Mount Athos and how their setting on the landscape. In this area are located the main Square of the University dominated by the Auditorium; the Agora with the chancellorship and the main stoa overlooking the sea and flanked by the Auditorium and the tower for the Library; the theatre and three smaller squares facing the sea where the Gymnasium and Lyceum find their place.
Further away and isolated, facing the Mediterranean, similar to a shrine, a small De Chirico Museum is to be built thanks to the generous donor of these lands, proprietor of paintings by the great metaphysical painter. This space, once more open to the sea, will be presided by a copy of De Chirico’s The Archaeologists. At the feet of this Acropolis, the Stadium and other sport facilities will find their place.
II. Residential Area
Under the Acropolis, closer to the sea and harbour, houses for students will be organised following the model of Priene forming blocks of 45x45 meters made of 9 courtyard houses of 15x15 meters. Each of these houses will host 12 to 24 students organised by ages with a corresponding tutor, thus favouring a sense of individuality, responsibility and liberty according to the educational program. In the centre of this urban trace and on a square open to the see and the lungomare is located the Students’ Hall and the rest of buildings hosting their activities (clubs, cinema…). Following a more organic distribution the houses for professors or visiting lecturers will appear. Facing the walkway: buildings intended for residents in Sophopolis, shops, restaurants…
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III. Harbour
A hotel for visitors and students’ families will be located here. The port will be flanked by a lighthouse on one end and a residence on the other.
A population of 1000 inhabitants –students, professors and staff - is supposed. This first proposal will serve as model to future extensions.
