Summer School: Under the Landscape - Young Makers Gathering

Abstract

As part of a restoration project by the interdisciplinary research collective "Boulouki" on the Greek island of Thirasia, site-specific craft techniques are being revived. The focus of the investigation is the abandoned cave settlement Agrilia, the restoration of the natural stone path to the settlement with accompanying dry stone walls and two cisterns sealed with pozzolanic plaster.

Objective

- Getting to know traditional craft techniques, the corresponding construction principles and material properties through implementation on a 1: 1 scale - Understanding of the local relationships between landscape and type of settlement - Interdisciplinary exchange with participating specialists - international exchange with Greek students

Content

The interdisciplinary research collective "Boulouki" ( www.boulouki.org ) carries out restoration projects in Greece every year with student participation. The group, led mainly by young architects, is well networked with universities and specialists, prepares the events meticulously and tries to embed them in the local craft and social context. As part of the workshop, the path to the abandoned cave settlement Agrilia will be restored, which is centrally located on the island of Thirasia in a valley. The natural stone paving of the path and the adjacent dry stone walls will be exposed and repaired, as will two cisterns of the water supply system. These are sealed with plaster, which has a special strength and water resistance due to its aggregates made of local pozzolan earth (Santorin earth, trass lime). The restoration work takes place in the mornings and is accompanied by local craftsmen and apprentices. The type of settlement in Agrilia is uniquely dependent on the local (geological) conditions. The settlement should be understood in its entirety (connections between geology, agriculture, water drainage, architecture, volcanic materials, etc.). An artistic and creative examination of the local materials is also sought. For this purpose, seminars and lectures are organized in the afternoons and evenings with the participation of craftsmen, archaeologists, geoarchaeologists, agronomists, the rector of the Athens School of Art and of course architects.

Resources