TELECOM CENTER Athens
- Indoor Arena of Olympic Athletic Center of Athens “Spiros Louis” – OAKA
- Radical Renovation and Conversion into TELECOM CENTER Athens
The indoor Arena of the Olympic Athletic Center of Athens “Spiros Louis” (OAKA), constructed by AKTOR S.A. – ALTE S.A. in 1995, under the technical consultation of Weidleplan GmbH, is a model of Greek sports heritage. The new architectural intervention was carried out with respect to the building’s iconic character as a public communal space for athletic activities and its imposing structural substance.
Within an area of over 50,000 sq.m. and in a particularly short period of time, the first phase of the complex project of maintenance, modernization, and conversion of the indoor Arena into the headquarters of Panathinaikos BC – Aktor was completed. It is worth noting that the building had not even undergone basic maintenance for decades.
The construction was primarily focused on infrastructure works, such as structural reinforcement, waterproofing, air conditioning, plumbing, and electricity supply networks, which were crucial to meet modern needs and to ensure the proper operation of the building in the future. Therefore, “TELEKOM CENTER Athens”, as the Arena has now been renamed, has the necessary operational adequacy to support a wide range of events, from major sport matches to artistic and cultural events, as well as many more, on a national and international scale.
The interior spaces of the building were redesigned and upgraded, initially focusing on the public circulation areas, restrooms, F&B spaces, commercial use spaces, children’s activity areas, Vip lounge, construction of 21 suites, office spaces and press areas. The indoor basketball court was highly renovated after the construction of a state-of-the-art interactive sports glass floor and the installation of new audiovisual equipment, that transforms it into one of the most contemporary arenas in Europe.
Special attention was given to energy efficiency upgrade by replacing all lighting fixtures. In parallel, operational and functional separation of the building’s levels was achieved, by the addition of new sanitary facilities. All works were approved by the General Secretariat of Sports (Min of Sports) and was accompanied by all necessary permits.
The upgrade of the building’s façades included a new color palette that respects the original form, but symbolizes the new use. Public spaces, at the northeast of the gym, were also redesigned, with improved and energy-efficient lighting, as well as ambient exterior accent lighting.
The upgrade of the training rooms, locker rooms, offices, the outdoor café and the creation of the museum of Panathinaikos BC – Aktor is in progress, in collaboration with the renowned architectural firm Benedetto Camerana.
The project was designed and implemented in just four months, a record time that highlights the model of collaboration and resource management. The intervention combines the contemporary architectural and constructural approach with respect to the design principles of the existing shell, constituting a showcase-model of public sports building-stock.
Info
- OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE : White Veil
- CONSTRUCTION - PROJECT & SITE MANAGEMENT : AΚΤΩΡ - ΙΝΤΡΑΚΑΤ
- DESIGNERS : 1. Strategic Business Concept: Populus 2. Lead Architect: Decathlon S.A. (Detailed Design, Design Coordinantion, Permitting, Interior Design of Press Entrance, 2nd & 3rd Level Sanitary facilities, Gate 10 Entrance, Construction Design, General Construction Supervision) 3. Structural Design: Blue Engineering – D. Lambridis 4. MEP Studies: Stephanos Nikolaou 5. Lighting Study: Lighting Art – Γ. Tellos 6. Interior design of 4th Level 16 Suites: K-division 7. Interior Design of VIP Lounge & Entrance: Riche – M. Vouzounerakis
