Not far from Ermoupolis, lies a remote and inaccessible area of Syros. Apano Meria occupies the northern part of the island and offers a landscape of overlapping shrubs, marbles and ancient drywall formations created by its first inhabitants.
Here we meet some of the oldest vestiges of human presence on the island, these barren lands have nurtured the people of Syros for centuries. These arid mountain tops will stay there to remind us of an old, different way of life, before Syros became densely inhabited.
In 1997, a permanent Wildlife Refuge, encompassing 190 acres of agricultural, grassland and partially forest land, was established in Syros, fulfilling the requirements for covering the needs of fauna in terms of peace, food and water, in the location of Apano Meria, of the Municipality of Syros. In addition, as of 2010 the whole area has been declared a NATURA2000 protected area.
Approximately 170 years ago, in 1845, the German geologist Hausman discovered in Syros a mineral with a striking blue color that he called glaucophanis (from the glauca + phanis: it looks like blue). Nowadays Syros is considered the most representative site of cyanoschistoliths and eclogites in the world. The whole island is a geological museum.
Apano Meria brings together archeological, geological and biological wealth, that hasn’t been touched by human development in the last century. Creating a balance between environmental preservation and tourist-led development is the central challenge we recognize in this remote place.
Our intervention
Public meeting place for residents, passers-by, animals and plants
Taking into account the social context and the ecosystem of Apano Meria, we chose to design for the residents, visitors and the rest of the organisms located in the specific location. Through participatory design processes we selected the first point of the network of interventions we propose.
In Ai Michalis, a reference point for the area, we intend to enhance the aesthetic and functional aspects of a public space that has been under-utilised until now. By redefining the white bus stops along the road network we aim to create meeting points, both between people, the natural environment and the beings that inhabit it.
To achieve this, we planted some trees that thrive in the special climate of Apano Meria, built seats, and extended the roof for the vineyard stems to climb on, so that it will provide shade and a mild microclimate for guests. Our vision is to continue to upgrade the Apano Meria bus stops with small and gentle interventions. By working together, we can create vibrant, dynamic and attractive public spaces that will not only improve the quality of life of local residents, but also strengthen the cultural identity of the community of Syros.
Ermoupoli - Greece
