A seminar by AA + NDU + NTUA
[click on thumbnails for larger image in new window]
To Oia:
A far more convenient option is to take a taxi all the way to Oia. If shared by 4 persons, that will not cost much more than the 2 buses -unless the driver is cheating (something you can check on the price list that normally should be at the dashboard).
Mind you, bus service to Oia stops at ~20:30 (check timetable on arrival at Fira bus terminal). So, if you arrive later than that, a taxi might be the only means from Fira to Oia.
In Oia:
If coming by taxi, ask the driver to take you to the "parking" next to the school [near M in Oia map below]; from there, your pension 'Lauda' is about 100m after the red "no entry" barrier [see Oia map].
Ring Thanos to
let him know that you have arrived -or that you're lost:
697 7828414 [if
ringing from a non-Greek mobile, the code for Greece is 30].
if no reply, then try 2286 071204 (Lauda's phone).
so don't forget your personal shading devices
-hat & sunglasses (preferably polarizing) !!!
Weather normally should be sunny & warm, but be prepared for cool nights and occasional rain too! Forecast will be published just before the event.
- the Environment & Energy Programme of Architectural Association Graduate School (Simos Yannas)
- Lebanon Notre Dame University Faculty of Architecture Art & Design (Habib Melki)
- the School of Architecture of National Technical University of Athens (Thanos N. Stasinopoulos).
Current estimations show that there will be 15 participants from AA and a similar number from NDU; NTUA numbers are still unclear, but the total size of the group should rather be less than 50.
(a) to introduce students into the interaction of natural forces and human settlements that has created sustainable communities for centuries and
(b) to get involved in an applied project in order to understand actual problems and search for applicable solutions.
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#1 Bus stop: A busy square w.
adjoining shops, used as Oia bus terminal, located at the north edge of
the village, totally exposed to sun, wind, rain & sand blast. Brief: Build an all-weather shelter for people waiting for the bus. Consider solar heat, strong N wind, heavy rain. Material support will be asked from the local authority. |
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#2 Clock tower square: An unused,
protected square at the heart of the village, adjacent to the main
street. Brief: An appropriate function should be proposed by the students, taking into account its central location. |
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#3 Otto square: A vacant plot, next
to the main street and near site #2, with a small kiosk built for the
visit of king Otto in 184?. Brief: Divide the plot in 4 equal parts and construct installations referring to each one of the 4 Elements (4 student teams). |
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#4 School yard: An elementary
school, built after the 1956 earthquake, with Modernist features, with a
later extension. Brief: Improve the outdoor conditions for the pupils, e.g. offering protection from sun & rain. Alternatively, make a playground toy to convey environmental awareness to pupils. |
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#5
??? [open to suggestions]
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Your favourites ??? |
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(a) Lauda: A friendly pension with old excavated rooms, some large enough for assemblies of up to 20 persons. Its large verandas -overlooking the volcano- can accommodate even more (the veranda shown here was used during past seminars in 2001 & 2004). |
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(b) Lauda: Another large veranda, with adjacent rooms |
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(c) Youth hostel: A new building around a courtyard with rooms for seminars & cheap double-deck beds. It only lacks view to the volcano. |
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(d) St. George hall: An old large hall, used by the locals for religious celebrations. |
| (e) ??? [to be explored] |
Proposed schedule & events [subject to revision]:
| Tue. 17: |
landing
day; wine tasting |
| Wed. 18: |
introduction to location, project briefing &
team formation; nearby site visits |
| Thu. 19: |
project
work day #1; PaLEnC conference begins; visit to Akrotiri, introduction by Nikos Fintikakis to the new roofing of archaeological site; dinner at Oia's dock [Ammoudi] |
| Fri. 20: |
project
work day #2; 2-mile stroll along the crater edge [Merovigli to Fira]; |
| Sat. 21: |
project
work day #3; PaLEnC conference ends; round table on environmental issues |
| Sun. 22: | project work day #4; |
| Mon. 23: | final presentation + certificate party; |
| Tue. 24: | bye-bye everybody, see you soon |
| >>> | Your comments ??? |
The most common way to get to Santorini from abroad is by flying to Athens [ATH], then getting a plane or ferry to Santorini.
Ask your travel agent about chartered flights directly to Santorini [JTR] from certain European cities.
Sail
Ferries to
Santorini [or Thira, the classical name] depart from the port of Piraeus.
The port is directly accessible from Athens airport by express buses [ticket
2.90€, every 15-20'].
The sea journey lasts 7-9 hours, according to boat type & intermediate
destinations.
See current boat list
here;
be aware, things change after Easter when tourist season begins.
Check with the main companies sailing to Thira/Santorini
[select "Piraeus" to "Thira"]:
Blue
Star Ferries [7 hr., ~25€];
this is TNS choice.
Hellas Flying
Dolphins [9 hr., ~20€].
Another useful site is
Paleologos Travel , offering
on-line info & booking.
Fly
For timetables, bookings, etc.:
Aegean Airlines
Olympic Airlines
|
airport |
The new Athens airport is located east of the city, more than 30km from the port of Piraeus; the old airport on the west coast that you might have known has been closed. |
|
buses |
The
fastest way to way to go
dowtown is to take the
metro line 3,
going all the way to the heart of Athens [Syntagma
Square], ending at Monastiraki. It doesn't
come cheap [6 euros for single ticket]
If you look for the
cheapest mode of transport
bus E95 or
E96 (E stands for Express); it will
take you between 40-60' to Athens centre,
depending on traffic conditions through the usually congested streets.
Metro ticket costs 0.75€, [blue] bus or
[yellow] trolley-bus 0.45€, valid for one ride only.
Check about other types of tickets that can save money. |
|
taxis |
You can
also take a taxi, which may be cheap
if sharing (no more than 4 persons are allowed), but
beware of tricky drivers charging illegal extras!!! A typical cost to go downtown should be ~20€ (extra tariff added between 00:00-06:00 hours). |
Current prices start from 25 / 17 / 14€ per person & night for single / double / triple or quadruple rooms [Lauda & Tzak].
About
40 beds have already been reserved in those two pensions, so participants
will only have to choose their room & room mates after arrival.
No advance money is required, and the final payment is a matter between you
and the hotel managers.
Room reservations are on a 'first-come, first-served' basis, so those with last minute registration might have to look for accommodation on their own...
The seminar is mainly directed to AA, NDU, NTUA students,
but applications from other institutions are welcome.
There are no fees
-you pay just for your own expenses.
If you want to participate
you can
- sent an email with your
full name, institution, status [under/post graduate student, staff, etc] &
contact [e.g. mobile number], or
- ring/text Thanos at +30 697 7828414.
Please do so before May 15th, otherwise you'll have to take care for
your accommodation.
your proposals will be used to fine-tune the final event.