The ‘Aliki Perroti Student Residence’ is a project that was implemented due to Mrs. Aliki Perrotis donation, to the ‘Perrotis College’ of the American Farm School. The building complex includes student rooms and communal spaces such as an assembly hall, a multi-purpose common room and a restaurant.

The design team aimed to create a high quality, specification model building  that is characterized by its timeless design and environmental sensitivity, without affecting the landscape.

The design team guidelines included;

• Respect and integration of the building complex into the existing landscape
• Optimization of the living conditions of the residents
• Full accessibility for physically impaired people
• Space flexibility and adaptability
• Implementation of environmental architecture principles
• Adoption of innovative technologies, enhancing and protecting the environment, emission minimization, and adaptation of alternative energy sources.
• Use of low maintenance cost materials and technologies.

The shape of the building is linear, on an east-west axis, with the majority of dormitories facing south. Natural lighting and heating for the rooms are therefore maximized. The ‘Aliki Perroti Student Residence’ can accommodate 96 persons in total with: 46 double rooms, 2 rooms for physically impaired people and 2 supervisors’ rooms. Students’ rooms are organized in pairs with a common living room. All rooms have access to individual balconies or terraces that are designed to ensure sun protection from the south in the summer, while allowing the sun to enter in the winter months. Additionally all rooms and living rooms have fans to reduce energy consumption. The communal areas of the student residence are located in the adjacent, two-storey building that also houses the entrance to the complex. The multi-purpose common room accommodates all students in the student residence in times of relaxation.

The Seth Frank Assembly Hall is located one level below and can accommodate approximately 230 people. The assembly hall is designed so that its acoustics can enhance both conference and musical events. The single storey restaurant will operate as an independent building, connected directly to the Student Residence, and serve all students of the School. It can also be used to host approximately 180 people. The complex is developed on three levels along the ground inclination. It consists of simple geometric forms with flat roofs. Linear sections of sloping roofs are to be used for the collection of solar energy through collectors connected to heat storage tanks. These sloping roofs also work as natural lighting and ventilation chimneys directing natural light into the corridors, while ensuring natural ventilation in all areas. For this purpose, sections of the corridors are detached from the sidewalls, creating gaps to maximize the natural lighting of the building.

The morphology of the complex interacts harmoniously with the open spaces and the landscape, which is gradually developed on several levels. Broad strips of green in the dormitory’s wing divide the building’s volume. to create shaded spaces providing pleasant resting areas for the students, while improving the roof’s insulation. All materials used were selected according to their performance under the local climatic conditions, their low embodied energy, their aesthetics, and importantly their reduced maintenance requirements. Emphasis was given to the thermal protection of the complex by using highly enhanced thermal and water insulation that is recyclable, friendly to users and to the environment. The suspended, ventilated envelope of the building, constructed by handmade clay bricks and sheets of weathered steel (corten) absorbs solar radiation, shields against cold winter winds, and protects against summer sunlight, thus substantially reducing energy consumption and significantly improving the building’s environmental impact. Exterior areas are planted with Mediterranean plants, chosen for their reduced irrigation requirements, according to contemporary environmental requirements. Archaeological findings consisting of a late Roman Empire water system were discovered during construction, and have been incorporated into the building’s design.