Location: Athene, GR
Project year: 2012
Status: research

This research arose out of my concern with the way we allow seniors to live. Mazi means ‘together’ in Greek. The idea of allowing seniors to live together and help one another is universal. Mazi is a design for the centre of Athens, because the gap between the problem and the potential is so wide here.

The population of Greece is ageing rapidly in part because of the departure of young people. The current problem with housing for seniors will therefore increase. On top of that, care provided by family members is decreasing. This project shows that derelict premises can be used to create a new residential environment with strong social cohesion and high spatial richness.

Mazi breaks with the Greek tradition of replacing derelict structures with blocks for flats. It strengthens existing qualities and deploys them to improve the lives of seniors.