The Unhomeliness of Vereggaria; A Spatial Tool for Resurfacing Identities
Rafael Ioannou. Nicosia, Cyprus
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Name of work in English
The Unhomeliness of Vereggaria; A Spatial Tool for Resurfacing Identities
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Name of work in original language
The re-emergence of the hotel on the hill. The rich history and its analysis through 'The Uncanny' tools
Prize year
Young Talent 2023
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Work Location
Nicosia, Cyprus
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Author/s
Rafael Ioannou
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School
School of Engineering - Frederick University.
Nicosia, Cyprus
Young Talent 2023 YT Nominees
The Unhomeliness of Vereggaria; A Spatial Tool for Resurfacing Identities
The re-emergence of the hotel on the hill. The rich history and its analysis through 'The Uncanny' tools
Program
Culture
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Labels
Memorial · Heritage
Once the magnificent crown of Mt. Troodos, the Veregaria Hotel now fades into oblivion. The project delves into the various characters that emerged through time, meticulously deconstructing the spatial qualities of the past and creating a spatial narrative that superimposes Vereggaria's identities, aiming to revive the fading Hotel.
Hotel Vereggaria, a landmark in Troodos, has had an impactful and rich history that was thoroughly analyzed and deconstructed into its various spatial parts, culminating in the identification of five different identity shifts that were the key focus of the project.\nThe term "Uncanny" was first discussed by Sigmund Freud in his essays, and it is described as a certain feeling of uneasiness that produces qualities of anxiety, fear, and horror.\nThrough the architectural translation of Anthony Vidler's book "The Architectural Uncanny: Essays in the Modern Unhomely," a list of architectural design tools was created that responds to the project's approach, concluding into five main categories: Dark Space, Architectural Dismemberment, Negative and Positive Space and Transparency. These categories were utilized to create spatial narratives that express Vereggaria's identities in space.\nRecognizing the significance of the existing shell, a substructure was proposed that operates in parallel, creating a medium between Vereggaria's identities and the "Uncanny Architectural Tools." The project focused on spaces that had undergone the most spatial changes through time, such as the Entrance as the main threshold, the broken "body" of the shell, and the imprint of the rooms. By filtering through the eras and identifying spaces with the most significant changes, this structure serves as a vessel for Vereggaria to express its rich history and provide guidance. The proposal unfolds internally, bringing forth new spatial configurations through the superimposition of historical eras and the use of "Uncanny Architectural Tools" as a medium to create these spaces.