Extending a series of interventions in the public space, the Onassis Foundation breathes new life into Pedion tou Areos park. Through the planting of more than 3,700 new plants and trees, the reconstruction of the water route, and the restoration of an extended area of the park, Pedion tou Areos becomes more beautiful and greener.
Pedion tou Areos is one of the most important and historic urban spots in the heart of the city, comprising the largest public park in Athens. In the early days of its operation, the park served as a site for military exercises and gradually evolved into a recreational area for the residents and visitors of the city. The Onassis Foundation has developed a significant relationship with Pedion tou Areos, which hosted for two consecutive years two major Onassis Culture exhibitions: “You & AI” (2021) and “Plásmata: Bodies, Dreams, and Data” (2022). Following an invitation from the state, the Onassis Foundation breathes new life into the historical park through a series of new construction works, in collaboration with the specialized landscape construction company Topiodomi and the architectural office Tenon Architecture. The project, with an overall plot of 6,552 square meters, highlights the natural character of the park as a locus of encounter for Athenian citizens, creating a bright and green space that combines water elements and nature in the heart of the urban landscape.
In Pedion tou Areos park, more than 3,700 plants were planted (28 trees, 2,651 shrubs, and 1,028 grasses), both in Economides Grove and along the water route. On one side of the Economides Grove, a xerophytic landscape was created—similar to the ones encountered in Cyclades islands—with olive, osier, and linden as its dominant species. In the center, a forest-like Mediterranean landscape was formulated, with plants such as carob, pinecone, and myrtle. On the other side, plants such as sycamore, oak, and maple were used, alluding to the image of a semi-mountainous landscape. The interchange between plants suggests the overall feel of the Mediterranean, breeding diverse textures and colors. In addition to the plants and shrubs, mature trees were further planted, which are expected to morph into an area of shade in a few years from now. On the water route, the turf was chosen to define the spaces surrounding the stream, while more than 600 shrubs were additionally planted. The tree planting rendered the Pedion tou Areos park more green, culminating in the aesthetic upgrade of the park in a natural manner.
Besides the tree planting, a complete restoration of the water route was realized. Now, the visitors of the park have the opportunity to walk along the water element by virtue of a path with stabilized soil. Moreover, cleaning, filtering, and re-circulation of the water were further implemented, while the stream became brighter.
At the same time, 250 marble slabs were replaced throughout the park’s expanse, which were used for covering the water outflow channels and had been damaged over time. By replacing them, the image of the park has been upgraded, while at the same time, the route became more beautiful and accessible. Moreover, the space in Aries became more welcoming, as seats and tables made of metal and wood were designed and constructed—in collaboration with Tenon Architecture—to offer a rest area under the tree shade for passers-by. The core concept behind the design was the notion of being together, while the space can host a total of up to 60 people, fostering opportunities for socialization.
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