The Municipality of Athens is seeking proposals and ideas for shaping public spaces at central points through which thousands of citizens pass daily, such as Kolonaki Square and Exarchia, through an open call for ideas announced yesterday. The places in the city where new metro stations will be built (line 4) and where projects are already underway are an opportunity to change the face or create new landmarks for the city that combine accessibility for all with aesthetics and ingenuity.

In this direction, competitions of ideas have been announced for the architectural design of Kolonaki, Exarchia and Kypseli squares at the first stage and new metro stations in Akademia, Evangelismos, Alexandras and Dikastiriya. The winner of the competition, according to the ministerial decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (48505/387/2021 – Official Gazette 2239/B/31-5-2021), should be hired as a consultant in the technical service for the next stages of proposal processing. However, the award of proposals does not create a direct right to award a contract related to the subject of the call for ideas, the technical bulletin notes. In practice, as explained by sources from the municipality of Athens, an idea or a proposed solution can be used if the participants have to adapt to basic technical details, such as, for example. elevator location – or apply research with variations.

The Mayor of Athens Kostas Bakoyannis invites scientists to take part in their inspiration for the future of Athens. “Metro Line 4 is not only an iconic transport project with environmental benefits that will improve the functioning of the city and the daily lives of thousands of Athenians. I invite eminent Greek scientists to be inspired by the “tomorrow” of Athens,” he emphasizes.

In each of the proposals, it would be good to take into account the work of a particular area – these are service stations for thousands of people daily – but also the history of each area. For example, Kolonaki Square, as we are used to, is Friendship Square. However, it became known as Kolonaki Square because of the column, which was moved to the site from Deksameni where it was originally discovered. In fact, it is this pillar that is believed to be associated with religious health-related ceremonies.

At the first stage, the project concerns the squares of Kolonaki, Exarchia and Kypseli, and then the stations in Akademiyas, Evangelismos, Alexandras and Dikastiriya.

Technical data

The total cost of running all seven competitions reaches 1.05 million euros, as the first three winners in each of the 7 competitions must share 150,000 euros pro rata (67,500 euros for first place, 49,500 for second place and 33,000 for third place). It is also indicated that the competition is open and the commission will consider the proposals of candidates without having access to their personal information. The proposal to hold an open call for ideas was a requirement of the Municipality of Athens, which was included in the memorandum of cooperation signed on 03.10.2022 between Anaplasi Athens S.A., Attico Metro S.A., the Municipality of Athens. and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. The announcement of tenders for the creation of stations of the 4th metro line is carried out in two groups: the first includes three new stations – Exarchia, Kolonaki and Evangelismos. The announcement of the competition took place yesterday, on Monday, 05/29/23. The second will include the stations “Alexandras”, “Academy”, “Dikastyria” and “Kypseli”. The announcement is expected to take place on 12/06/2023. Athens municipality sources say the gradual announcement was chosen to allow more people to participate. As stated, “the aim of the competition is to select a modern architectural approach that will provide functionality, aesthetic quality and design excellence for the renewal of the station’s urban public space, as well as the wider surrounding area, based on modern requirements of art and science, as well as the principles of bioclimatic-ecological planning. The study to be implemented should provide a public space with full access for people with disabilities throughout the project and be a driving force for development and environmental awareness for the wider station area.”

Submit Offers

For the first three announced stations, the deadline for submitting proposals is 08.04, 14:00. The jury consists of five members and in accordance with what is determined by the decision of Anaplasi Athena S.A. consists of a judge appointed by the organizing body, an honored member of the relevant sectoral body, a representative judge of the organizing body and three judges from the list of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Proposals will be submitted to the technical works department “Regeneration of Athens S.A.” at the postal address: Evinos and Ag. Pirri 5, 3rd floor, weekdays and hours from 09.00 to 14.00. Competitors may send any requests for additional information electronically to the email address: [email protected]