The approximately 31,000m2 Student Housing complex is in the lively, rapidly developing, campus of the University of Cyprus and comprises of 730 student rooms with shared living areas and kitchens and extended common facilities, services and parking.

Located on the southeastern edge of the University grounds, along a charming water canal and centered on the campus’s main pedestrian axis culmination, the proposal amasses a campus border, a porous boundary of the UC’s yard. Reflecting the building’s memorable role in the lives of its occupants, it alternates as a local entrance gate to the University and a grand exit, ending its most prominent axis.

Four connected building blocks, containing all housing units, unfold along a rectilinear S. They define two major plazas towards either side, two distinct spacial references and identities. One is adjacent to the canal, faces the campus and receives the main pedestrian axis over a footbridge. The other faces the perimeter road and the hills to the southwest and relays transportation to and from the complex. Both are crossed lengthwise by an internal promenade leading to the entrances of the blocks, lining up communal uses, services and public activities adjacent to the alternating landscapes.

The 4 story housing blocks follow a cross typology between the typical modernist housing slab, with units arrayed on either side of corridors and the traditional street arrangement with homes along a public street. The resulting 5-tiered section is made up of a dense array of room units on its two outer tiers, a dispersal of common kitchen-living room units on the two inside tiers and a porous, semi-covered circulation core -an inner, shaded, planted, cool, shared, lively, informal vertical street.

Design team:
Iro Bertaki
Christina Loukopoulou
Costis Paniyiris
Kostas Apostolidis
Evangelos Pournaras (3d visualisation)
Evangelia Lavranou
Athina Kotrozou

Consultants:
Michalis Aggelidis (structural engineer)
PG Kamarinos Consulting Enginners (mechanical engineers)
Helli Pangalou (landscape design)
Aris Tsagrasoulis (energy and environmental planning)