Office complex EIGHT

The new office complex "EIGHT" is an example of contemporary office premises located in the area of Maroussi in contact with Fragoklissias Str. designed people architects. Given the rapid development of the region, it has been considered necessary to study the building from the ground up to meet all needs of every-day business activities, taking full advantage of its easy accessibility as well as its dominant presence. Even from the preliminary design stage, the strategic selection and use of land was made under the scope of making a building that would be a visual milestone in Fragoklissias str., incorporating both its unique architectural character as well as showing off the successful activities of Group’s companies located therein. Moreover, since this building is to accommodate many of the headquarters of the Group companies, the design is such that meets the most modern standards and prerequisites of relevant premises (ergonomics, up-to-date information systems infrastructure, up-to-date communications systems, working comfort, functionality, backup operating systems, efficiency of auxiliary spaces, staff parking spaces , etc.) Fragoklissias Street and the surrounding area where the building plot is located have been significantly developed in recent years into a remarkable business and financial center, with many modern high-rise office premises which are characterized by contemporary architectural style. In harmony with the existing urban environment of the area, the new building complex is morphologically incorporated within the wider urban character of the area, while upgrading the previous use of the land turning into landmark. Description The new office complex of the Group was placed along the north - south axis of the building plot. It consists of two separate volumes connecting with each other along the axis of East – West, with the East volume to be in retreat. Due to the slope of the plot, an artificial ground level at -0.10 compared to zero has been created, while the level of the ground plate is in ± 0.00 with respect to this level. The entrance to the two volumes of the building is through a central entrance at their junction. At the exterior, faithful to the basic design strategy, we created a bold look using white elements that surround the building while ensuring the protection of users from the sun. The internal arrangement was based on number eight (this is where the complex was named after), so that intersecting axes and circular movements to be created following the drift, opening and closing while moving both inside and outside and giving a view of the entire building both towards the inside and the outside. Moreover, a central atrium is created around which the offices are spread, while on the third floor a passable planted loft is created contributing in the best way to the energy shielding of the building. At the ground floor of each volume there is the central staircase, two central elevators, the main office areas along with supportive spaces for the proper operation such as computer rooms and storage areas as well as spaces of common use (staff restrooms and kitchenette). At each level of the building there are two perceptible main workplaces that are separated from the main entrance, the lobby and the central atrium of offices, allowing the independent operation of each space while marking distinct administrative and operational functions within the Group. Each one of these two areas includes separate supportive spaces. The third floor is a single operational area with a staircase and access to the passable loft. The operational areas of each level are fully autonomous both ergonomically and operationally so that they can function independently. The basement of the building expands beyond the sides of the overhead structures covering the entire area of the plot. In this section there are the utility rooms, engine rooms, fire-engine rooms, private substation space, E/M backup systems spaces, a central server room as well as all required parking spaces for the proper functioning of the building. The overall free construction style of the building plot has significantly contributed to the fashioning of facets and the highlighting of the building, while helping to the creation of an interesting landscape. The garden area around the building is covered with grass or low bushes while there is also a small open area in the western junction of the two volumes covered with deck. Of particular interest is the planted loft at the roof of the second floor which is both a garden and the surrounding area of the third floor offices. The planting there is also a lawn, irregular geometric planting strips and granite in linear devices around the curtain wall. The spaces around the building are covered with cement blocks. The cell The main feature of the office complex "eight" is undeniably the impressive cell that surrounds the whole construction giving it a unique character. A shell around a simple building like garment -ornament shaping its final design. The proportions are such as to bring out its elements, to protect from the sun respecting the uninterrupted view from the inside, while giving a sense of security as a net. The free shaping of its elements excites the brain as there is not a clearly implied regularity. Initially inspired by the recurring items of a pergola and the trigonometric plotting forms on computers (virtual environment, BIM), the design and construction of the cell was based on the use of cellular materials which are a key area of research of PEOPLE. The use of these particular materials contributed not only to the expansion of design possibilities, but also to its energy behavior and the overall sound-proofing. This construction being a passive solar design in conjunction with the planted loft and the other technical characteristics of the project improve its energy function in heating, cooling and natural lighting / sunlight. Source: '>http://www.peoplegroup.gr'> design: PEOPLE Associates engineers: Constantinos Pavlidis, Dimitrios Ptochos E/M Study: PEOPLE Associates Engineers: Dimitrios Ptochos, Evaggelos Ptochos Structural/static study: GMSteel Associates Engineers: George Mileros Cell study -BIM: PEOPLE Constantinos Pavlidis, Dimitrios Ptochos, Euaggelos Ptochos Project Supervision: PEOPLE