Reforming the Industrial Landscape of Edessa: from the water mills to the Spin Factory

Edessa, the city of waters and waterfalls, is built on a rocky highland of 320 m. hight and has a great industrial heritage based exclusively on hydropower. The aim of this project is the promotion of the industrial landscape of the city, attempting to unify the area of the water mills with the Spin Factory, which is placed 80 m. lower on the rocky slope. This way, the visitor will be brought in close contact with the complex and wild landscape thanks to a system of multiple paths and stops, will perceive this industrial path from the pro-industry (water mills) to the post-industry (Spin Factory) as wholeness and will understand the importance of hydropower on the function of the industrial buildings.
Elements that till now deformed the general identity of the area have been removed and new functions such spaces for workshops and meetings have been given to the Spin Factory, the last part of the industrial path. A new elongated building is designed as a gallery to replace an older building that was “hiding” a river underneath, which is now visible and accessible.
The plateau that lies 10 m. lower is transformed into a big industrial park, where different sport activities take place and some machines from the factory are strewed among the trees.
Every intervention proposed is minimal and highlights the natural environment and the industrial “narration” as wholeness. Landscape and industry converse harmonically and go hand in hand.