Cultural Site and Multifunctional Center

This building was constructed in the 1950s and it was accommodating the municipal market of Athienou. The structural system is composed of reinforced concrete moment-resisting frames, while its distinctiveness consists in the utilization of unequal height, sloped, non-prismatic columns which support the inversed duo-pitch roof. The market’s operation was terminated and the building remained abandoned for decades. Due to the architectural uniqueness of the building and the imperative need for the preservation of this sample of cultural heritage, it was decided that it should be retrofitted, restored and reused as Cultural Site and Multifunctional Center.
Following the mandatory concrete sampling and testing, the subsequent bearing capacity of the existing structure was computationally assessed and demonstrated various structural insufficiencies. As a result, a strengthening study was carried out, which indicated that some structural elements, such as the foundation interconnecting tie beams, with significantly poor capacity/demand ratio, had to be reconstructed. Although, the primary structural members were wrapped with carbon fiber reinforced polymers fabrics (CFRP), so as to enhance their strength, stiffness, and ductility. The application of the CFRP fabrics was selected as the most suitable strengthening technique, so as to maintain unaltered the initial dimensions of the load bearing structure. Moreover, the building’s isolated footings were thoroughly retrofitted.
Furthermore, besides the main building, various secondary steel structures were fabricated, so as to accommodate maintenance and other auxiliary areas. Additionally, a new basement has been built, which will be used as storage area and simultaneously will accommodate the HVAC equipment.