The listed building (1958) is located in the historic center of Nicosia, in a Special architectural Character Zone, conditioned by conservation rules for building renovation. Intentions of the project concerned the rehabilitation and re-use of the structure through the re-definition of a mixed-use brief that includes office spaces for Akelius, a real estate company with great record on building renovation addressing sustainability objectives for the built environment, implementing good practices to contribute to the goals of the EU Green Deal, as well as apartments for rent. The renovation focused on the structural upgrade of the building, to upgrade seismic performance and extend building life, and increasing its thermal and energy performance.
The project achieved to celebrate elements of craftsmanship from the original design and to reactivate the ground floor arcade – a typical feature of modernist architecture in the region. Previously, this arcade was rendered inaccessible through the years of occupation and structural additions, whereas now is reconditioned to its original state and connects the two sides of the block, open to the public, enabling natural lighting and vertical ventilation of the building. Moreover, the rehabilitation design achieved higher flow of transparency and connectivity between the interior office units, which are now enriched with a communication place for relaxation and encounter while improving their function / efficiency, thus offering a source of creative inspiration to the building occupants, as this is highlighted by the activation of the roof by the creation of a green space/garden that provides share and open air panoramic views to the historic city.
