panagiotis zakkas | portfolio

Panagiotis Zakkas Portfolio

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Interior Design CompetitionPanhellenic Competition, 2012

Architect: Panagiotis Zakkas

The brief of this competition called for the con-version of an abandoned small warehouse into an apartment for a modern couple. This small space, covering an area of just around 30 sq m, had to be redesigned in such a way so as to func-tion properly both as a residence and a working space. The pre-existent small construction has been dealt with in such a way, in order to exploit its potential more as a dynamic structure rather than as a static form.For this reason, the given building has been considered basically as a cluster of structural elements, which are articulated with each other, forming an articulated structure in space.The load bearing structure of the warehouse has been interpreted as a small chain of reinforced concrete, comprising six columns founded on the ground and interconnected with a beam, which in turn supports a pitched roof. This concrete structure makes the spine of the building, carrying in a way its ‘genetic code’, by this meaning the basic rules that dictate its form and the way it stands in space.Despite all other secondary parts of the building, its main structure is permanent and unchange-able, thus taken for granted. It’s the only element that cannot be modified.As a result, this stable spatial structure is what dictates the way every other secondary structural element comes to fill it, in order for an enclosed, sustainable and functional space to be produced.Although the structural rule set by the load bear-ing structure seems to be binding at first, it proves to instil a guiding spirit at last, offering great flex-ibility in the long run.The small building is considered less as a solid, predefined mass, but more as an articulation of elements, a structure that can lead to various in-terpretations.

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Apart from being just a shell that has to be decorated and modernised, in order to fulfil the contemporary tastes of its inhabitants, the pre-existent old warehouse has been conceived as a structure that can be interpreted and designed in a new, modern way.In the end, what dictates the form of this renovat-ed new space is this concept of a dynamic struc-ture and its interpretation in order to comply with the new function of the building as an apartment.The building as a living entity, apart from having its internal form changed, has had its external appearance altered as well, resulting in a much desired essential architectural balance and corre-spondence between inside and outside and vice versa.

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The present study deals with the design of a small weekend house in the village of Polydrosos, Fokida, Greece. The main aim set in this project has been the design of the house in such a way so as to be able to cover the basic needs of a family consisting of two parents and three children, during their periodic short living in the countryside. From the beginning, the very small available site, a narrow strip of land just 5 metres in width and approximately 20 metres in length, imposed several difficulties and constraints as regards the way in which the building would be developed.The building has not been conceived merely as a single, isolated construction, but rather as a cohesive building structure. In fact, the whole site has been configured as a linear spatial structure emulating a rectangular prism which has been transformed in or-der to render a hospitable form, suitable to provide

residency. The rectangular plan of the house is di-vided into two equally sized general functional zones, both of which are vital, in order for the residence to function properly.The first zone occupies the northern part of the site, accommodating the courtyard, an open space, lifted higher from ground level and serving both as a com-mon space for interaction and contemplation, as well as an in-between entrance space, a threshold. The building structure has been transformed in order for protection against the northern winds to be provided to the courtyard from surrounding tall walls, while at the same time permitting an unobstructed view to the fields lying to the south of the village. In the same functional zone, underground auxiliary spaces have been created under the raised courtyard, taking ad-vantage of the sloping ground.

Small Weekend House in Polydrosos, Fokida, GreecePersonal Work, 2008


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The second zone is positioned to the southern half of the site, form-ing the core of the house, a two-storey volume, covered by a double pitched roof and “looking” to the courtyard through a tall, transparent glass surface. This zone houses all the main living spaces, divided into three different levels which are accessible by a staircase. The bedrooms are accommodated in the basement as well as the upper floor which is formed by a light wooden structure, while the common areas, such as the kitchen, the dining room and the living room, are at entrance level.From a morphological point of view, in order for an undisturbed relation between the external form of the small house and the picture of its sur-roundings to be achieved, it has been decided the use of local stone as the basic structural material, a building method which is unfortunately rarely used in contemporary architecture nowadays. The systematic use of horizontal and vertical zones of reinforced concrete in combination with the load bearing stone walls not only has greatly improved the anti-seismic behaviour of the building, but more importantly has permitted the use of large openings in the walls, thus making the stone structure more flexible and adaptable to contemporary morphological experimen-tations. In the end, this mixed structural system of stone and reinforced concrete seems, despite its simplicity, to be offering a freedom, the potential of experimentation as well as further morphological flexibility, while at the same time achieving to convey a sense of transparency, structural clarity and a spirit of rationalism.

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Centre of Historical Studies in Foiniki, Thesprotia, GreeceDiploma Project, 2010


The main questioning set in this project has mainly focused on the educational values of traditional architecture and the way these can be interpreted and exploited by a modern young architect.Despite the difficulties of such an attempt, a painstaking effort has been made in order to deliver a proposal for a contemporary archi-tectural intervention in a traditional village, which in this case is Foiniki in Thesprotia, Greece.The wider aim of this proposed architectural intervention in Foiniki has been to further motivate the protection and conservation of the natural and traditional environment of Thesprotia. During a process of exploration, a serious ef-fort has been made in order for the deeper essence of tradition, as a valuable memory for contemporary life, to be revealed. In this quest, Foiniki proved to be a valuable model for studying the everlasting qualities that ex-ist in Greek traditional architecture, thus of-fering the guidance towards a solid and ra-tional contemporary architecture.What seems fascinating about Foiniki at first sight is the way the facades of its buildings look. However, treating the project in a less conservative and formalistic way has been a key factor in the design process, paying spe-cial attention to deliberately avoid showing an excessive respect or an exaggerated emo-tional commitment to traditional architecture. The external form of things has been con-sidered not as something that has to be imitated. On the contrary, the superficial morphological characteristics of the existing constructions have been considered less im-portant compared to the deeper structures,

the less obvious relationship and interaction between humans and their natural surround-ings that have defined the morphology of this traditional cluster of buildings over the time. As a consequence, the main focus of consid-eration has not been the form of things itself, but rather the rules underlying the articulation of spatial elements that produces this mor-phology of traditional buildings.Today, Foiniki stands in silence, almost com-pletely abandoned, with just a few people liv-ing in it. However, it is a very well preserved traditional cluster of buildings, typical of Greek traditional folk architecture.The major inspiration for the particular archi-tectural intervention has been the existence of some abandoned old traditional buildings like the church, the oil press and a mansion, standing detached from the main core of the village and scattered in the landscape, as well as the existence of a free, communal space adjacent to these. The proposal suggests that the free com-munal spaces, situated in a very privileged position, as well as the abandoned buildings, all situated on a sloped area called Rahi, in combination with the construction of new structures, could create a new complex of buildings and open spaces, a wider infra-structure which could function as an educa-tional and cultural zone that would reactivate the whole area by attracting visitors through-out the year. The main aim of these proposed new cul-tural and educational facilities would be the mental preparation of the visitors in order to better experience the unique natural and historical environment of Thesprotia. This could significantly assist in the development

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of a new model of alternative tourism in the local area, compatible with the aesthetical and historical context of its traditional built environment.Special care has been taken in order for the proposed new structures and spa-tial configurations to respect the spirit of this particular place and not to function in contradiction to the “genius loci”. The ra-tionalization of the pre-existent structures has been of great concern, together with the smooth integration of the new buildings into their surroundings, both functionally and morphologically. Priority has been given to unifying the whole through the design of an open air circulation network, a sequence of new pedestrian pathways and small squares, following pre-existent traces of circula-tion when possible and offering access to all buildings, while at the same time con-necting them together. This proposed ar-chitectural promenade takes advantage of the spectacular panoramic view that the sloping terrain offers, highlighting the mar-velous visual connection between the site and the traditional village of Foiniki.The respect of the scale and the use of lo-cal materials have been key factors that had to be seriously taken into considera-tion in order for a successful intervention to be achieved. For this reason, the new proposed building has been deliberately divided into two smaller buildings, instead of a large one, in an attempt to achieve a harmonious relationship between the new masses and the old, preserved ones. By taking advantage of the steep slopes of the ground and making extensive use of pitched roofs and stone as the main struc-tural material, the new constructions do not set themselves apart, but rather blend into their surroundings.

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The new forms are dealt with not as the-atrical scenery, as a mere imitation of the already established morphology of the traditional village. Form has been dictated by deeper, timeless structures such as es-tablished architectural archetypes, human scale, the climate, orientation, perspective, the shape of the land, as well as local ma-terials. In conclusion, the proposal for this archi-tectural intervention has tried to avoid a one-sided, merely functional approach on the task. On the contrary it could be said that it has persistently aimed at enrich-ing the area with structures that will offer a variety of potential interpretations and uses, securing in this way that this new building complex will constitute a zone of culture and research full of life in the heart of Thesprotia.

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Orphanage in Accra, GhanaProfessional Work, 2014

Architects: Olga Alexaki, Olga GouvaliVisualiser: Panagiotis Zakkas

Panagiotis ZakkasArchitect

Member of the Technical Chamber of Greece | Reg No. 132694

T +30 210 8037678M +30 694 [email protected]