The Lamia Municipal Water Supply Office building in Greece is situated at the crossroads of two main roads in the eastern part of the city. The design aims to establish a landmark that is interactive and outward-facing, open to all users with excellent accessibility, and welcoming in appearance. A strong east-west axis runs through the building’s center, while the overall orientation directs it towards the south.
Sustainable design is the core principle of this project. The building features a fully covered horizontal geothermal system, which utilizes stable ground temperatures to significantly reduce electricity consumption for heating and cooling. Additionally, solar panels are integrated into the glass curtain wall and roof, making it a zero-energy building guided by sustainable development and bioclimatic principles.
The architecture is composed of three distinct geometric elements: the “colonnade,” the “porch,” and the “atrium.”
Between the exposed large concrete walls, a dynamic spatial rhythm emerges through penetrable voids, creating a perforated space that fully reflects the building’s public character. To accommodate the site’s elevation changes, the north podium comprises two floors, while the south podium has three. The west facade, the only side visually connected to the surrounding city, serves as the building’s main entrance.
The numerous entrances, staircases, and ramps create a rich spatial experience, offering visitors multiple circulation options and varying perspectives of the interior, exterior, and surrounding environment. Vertical, horizontal, and diagonal axes divide the large space, forming diverse wall shapes with gaps that enhance the permeability of the exterior walls.
The courtyard is furnished with numerous seating areas, a pool, greenery, and social spaces. Notably, the carefully designed waterfall not only adds visual beauty but also helps reduce temperatures in the work areas. Water features and gardens improve the microclimate during summer, further enhancing the building’s sustainability.
A key design goal was to create a venue for public cultural activities. The interaction between the atrium and the circular theater at the architectural level fosters a strong connection, reinforcing the building’s public nature.
The double-layered reception area is located on the building’s west side. Designed as an open and outward-facing space, it warmly welcomes citizens and establishes a strong connection between the city and the building itself.
The dynamic form of the building is achieved by adding or subtracting fragments of the exterior wall structure, creating a lively and dramatic appearance. These volume cuts transform the originally simple geometric shape into an imaginative structure, extending the spatial experience. The gateway facing the city blurs the boundary between urban fabric and architecture.
Project Drawings
△ General Layout Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Architect: VTria Architecture Firm
Area: 3,525 m²
Year: 2017
Manufacturer: PERI
Collaborative Architects: Ifigeneia Triantafyllou, Dimitris Triantafyllou
Civil Engineer: Nikos Papadopoulos
Electrical Engineer: Giannis Apostolou
Construction: Tzortzis A.T.E.B.E. and Lantern Construction
Lead Architect: Vasilis Triantafyllou
Location: Lamia, Greece
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