Pulse

The area that currently accommodates Thessaloniki’s International Fair, was intended to be the city's metropolitan park, ever since the re-planning of Thessaloniki by Ernest Hebrard, after the 1917 fire. Today, however, that Thessaloniki has turned into a densely built city with non-existent green spaces, the claim of this green "lung" is imperative. The specific proposal attempts to strengthen the cultural core (including theatres, museums, etc) located in the area. It is considered to be crucial to establish better connections between the park and the adjacent campus of Aristotle University, as well as the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Byzantine culture. At the same time, the facing military camp is turned, also, into a park. Its listed buildings are being restored and host the university faculties of Film and Drama, which will provide the Metropolitan Park with culturally relevant projects. Furthermore, the existence of “Palais des Sports” Stadium supports the athletic activities in the park. Dominant features are now the land and the relief. The city features its monuments but the park promotes the contemporary culture. Therefore, the language of the curve, inspired by the outdoor sculptures of the existed Museum of Contemporary Art (MOMus), is used where the influence of modern culture is present. It is also used around the perimeter of the museums, because the present embraces the past as a part of itself.