Master Plan and Architectural models

Architectural models construction

The undergraduate student team from the Department of Architecture at the University of Thessaly, Volos, entrusted us with the construction of both the master plan and housing structure models for their diploma thesis. This project centers on the regeneration of the 153-acre site of the former Averofeios agricultural School in Larissa, owned by ELGO-DIMITRA. The goal is to create an innovative village that will function as a sustainable eco-community, supporting former substance users. The eco-village is designed to accommodate between 65 and 150 people for durations ranging from 6 to 12 months, featuring residential units, workshops, and communal dining spaces. The students made the conscious decision to utilize local, natural materials from Larissa, such as clay and soil, in their design. They proposed low-energy construction materials like adobe bricks, which are crafted from a mix of straw, clay, and soil, molded and then dried naturally in the sun. In order to accurately convey the spirit of this eco-friendly project, we selected various types of wood for the models, representing the natural elements of the design. The aim of our commission involved creating the master plan at a 1:500 scale, with meticulous detail to capture all aspects—from buildings and pathways to cultivation zones and communal areas. We have used plywood of varying thicknesses, veneered with different finishes, to precisely replicate the topographical traits of the site. Key elements, such as buildings, fencing, parking areas, and vegetation, were intricately laser-engraved in our workshop, ensuring high fidelity in their representation. For the architectural models of the housing structures, rendered at a 1:50 scale, we used solid beech wood, expertly crafted to replicate the semi-circular forms of the buildings. Fine details, such as doors and windows, were engraved directly into the wood, while stairs and sunshades were modeled using plywood. Thorough focus on each detail has resulted in a presentation of the models that is both highly precise and visually striking, embodying the innovative and sustainable nature of the project.