The Butterfly project explores the transformation of a former football field into a multifunctional landscape integrated into the historic urban fabric of Volos, Greece. The project aims to reconnect the Krafsidonas mountain stream with the city’s inhabitants, to reintegrate it into the everyday life of the city, and to offer a flood-relief zone in times of over flow. By working with the land’s natural folds, the design introduces a gentle descent toward the stream, minimizing the need for invasive construction. Where material interventions were necessary, they were sourced locally — including clay and bricks from the nearby former Tsalpatas factory and stones from Mount Pelion — reinforcing the site’s identity. A critical aspect of the project involved documenting the existing flora of the Krafsidonas and integrating it into the new planting scheme. Additional vegetation was selected for its capacity to filter heavy metals and pollutants from stormwater runoff, ensuring cleaner water reaches the streambed. The resulting park fosters a productive coexistence between eco logical systems and public life. It offers spaces for sports, children’s play, pets, community events, and a skatepark, along with walking paths and viewpoints overlooking the mountain stream. The Butterfly Project reimagines urban voids as active, resilient, and ecologically responsive spaces — inviting new forms of encounter between nature, water, and people.
