'the picnic project' suggests a series of fantastical architectural interventions in greece

the leonidas papalampropoulos architecture bureau has presented its fantastical vision for the revitalization of the northwest lignite mining area of ptolemaida in greece. the design focuses on issues of re-appropriation of nature in the post-industrial era, and suggests a collection of architectural projects in the area that play on this theme.

a picnic inside the ‘botanical rooms’, created through grafting

gathered under the umbrella title of the ‘picnic project’ the proposals take a thoughtful approach to the designs that they suggest, referring heavily to theories of romanticism and where such ideas find legitimacy in a post-industrial society. the constructs outlined by the leonidas papalampropoulos architecture bureau represent a response to trauma (in this case the decline of the mining industry) through acceptance and management, rather than denial or repression. this approach can be associated with the re-instatement of the romantic idealization of nature and the new relationship that it develops towards the landscape.

the designs refer heavily to theories of romanticism and their place in a post-industrial society

the project contemplates on the issue of a phenomenology of land use, towards the enrichment of knowledge on the allocation, use and perception of the country’s territory. the design proposes the formation of a new archaeological site inside the former quarry, exhibiting industrial artifacts that alter the public’s romantic relationship to the environment, not just through observation but also as an active component of the land’s productivity.

inside the greenhouse-swimming pool, the ‘tropicana’

the design proposes achieving this through management of a central waterway that runs through the area. three dams are constructed along the stream that control its flow and form three water reservoirs for swimming during summer, while a expansive water-based habitat is allowed to develop. two parallel paths (pedestrian & bike road) along the stream connect it with the surrounding area.

two parallel paths (pedestrian & bike road) along the stream connect it with the surrounding area

interventions along this waterway are formed around constructions based on three techniques: the ‘greenhouse’ technique exploits the existing remote heating infrastructure to fuse agricultural and recreational functions by proposing the construction of a greenhouse-swimming pool (‘tropicana’) between the two villages. the ‘grafting’ technique introduces the formation of habitation infrastructures through the process of grafting and shaping trees into uniform structures. lastly, the ‘outdoor living’ technique introduces the creation of open air residential environments (living-dining room, tv room, wifi, kitchen etc) in spots along the water path.­

interventions along this waterway are formed around process of construction based on three techniques

locals can suggest a variety of interventions to build along the waterway

wider area management

‘the picnic project’ scheme

three dams are constructed along the stream that control its flow and form three water reservoirs

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: peter corboy | designboom