The project focused on the restoration and enhancement of the district of Mouttalos, in the city of Paphos, Cyprus, with certain spacial meta-formations (morphological and functional) in-order to be integrated in the urban, social and economic fabric of the city.

Caves Aerial – Mouttalos district redevelopment in Paphos, Cyprus by XO Architects and SIGMA & Co. Architects, Photo © Vassos Athinodorou

Selected key points in the region of Mouttalos with a targeted urban architecture and high level intervention can change and revitalize the image of the region while creating the necessary synergies for the future.

Caves Cliff Aerial – Mouttalos district redevelopment in Paphos, Cyprus by XO Architects and SIGMA & Co. Architects, Photo © Vassos Athinodorou

The upscale neighborhood provide the residents of viable living conditions, employment, recreation and social life while on the other hand it attracts visitors to a historical walk-through and a vivid memory lesson.

Caves Level – Mouttalos district redevelopment in Paphos, Cyprus by XO Architects and SIGMA & Co. Architects, Photo © Vassos Athinodorou

A short question:

What makes this project one-of-a-kind? (what is its biggest quality, what is its most surprising  advantage or unique feature?).

Ismet Inonu Detail – Mouttalos district redevelopment in Paphos, Cyprus by XO Architects and SIGMA & Co. Architects, Photo © Vassos Athinodorou

A project that changed the City of Paphos and gave new meaning to the area of Mouttalos’ with the aim to restore the relationship between the natural environment and the neighbourhood.

Botanical Garden – Mouttalos district redevelopment in Paphos, Cyprus by XO Architects and SIGMA & Co. Architects, Photo © Vassos Athinodorou

Evidently, the upscale neighborhood will provide the residents of viable living conditions, possibilities of employment, recreation and social life, while on the other hand it will attract visitors to a historical walk-through and a vivid memory lesson.

Botanical Garden Pavilion – Mouttalos district redevelopment in Paphos, Cyprus by XO Architects and SIGMA & Co. Architects, Photo © Creative Photo Room

Textual description of the project:

Mouttalos is a picturesque Turkish neighborhood of the so-called “Ktima” in Paphos, 2km from the coast that stands out for its’ special rock and natural caves that separates the city from the ‘Up-Πάνω’ and ‘Down-Κάτω’ – Paphos.

Ismet Inonu Detail Square Shades – Mouttalos district redevelopment in Paphos, Cyprus by XO Architects and SIGMA & Co. Architects, Photo © Creative Photo Room

The war that occurred in the island in 1974 changed everything, and the Turkish Cypriots, with the ex-change of populations, abandoned their home to the northern areas of the island, leaving this part of the city deserted while making the area a living museum of the not so far past.

Caves Pavilion Views – Mouttalos district redevelopment in Paphos, Cyprus by XO Architects and SIGMA & Co. Architects, Photo © Creative Photo Room

At the same time Greek Cypriots left the Northern part of the island to live “temporarily” in Mouttalos ever since, since they are waiting to return to their homes in the North, with all the impact this may have on the form of space.

Caves Pavilion Back View – Mouttalos district redevelopment in Paphos, Cyprus by XO Architects and SIGMA & Co. Architects, Photo © Creative Photo Room

More specifically the project intervenes on a route with three key areas, the Mosque Area in Fellahoglu Street, the main square Ismet Inonu Square and the Caves area.

Caves Pavilion and Park – Mouttalos district redevelopment in Paphos, Cyprus by XO Architects and SIGMA & Co. Architects, Photo © Creative Photo Room

In the wider area of the Mosque, a botanical garden, a small square, and a public pavilion have been proposed to enhance the previous non-existing neighborhood public space quality.

Caves Pavilion Night View – Mouttalos district redevelopment in Paphos, Cyprus by XO Architects and SIGMA & Co. Architects, Photo © Creative Photo Room

Ismet Inonu square, was redesigned in-order to become a pole of attraction for residents and visitors while at the same time decongest cars to make space usable for events and recreation.

Caves Square Lights – Mouttalos district redevelopment in Paphos, Cyprus by XO Architects and SIGMA & Co. Architects, Photo © Creative Photo Room

Last but not least, the Cave Park, a part of the wider geomorphological aspect of the flap that characterizes the landscape of the greater Paphos area, is an important landscape of both natural and cultural importance, distinct from various parts of the city.

Central Idea Diagram, © XO Architects and SIGMA & Co. Architects

Site Plan, © XO Architects and SIGMA & Co. Architects

Mosque Surrounding Area, © XO Architects and SIGMA & Co. Architects

Botanical Garden and Pavilion Area, © XO Architects and SIGMA & Co. Architects

Ismet Inonu Square, © XO Architects and SIGMA & Co. Architects

The landscapes and trails of wood, pressed earth, concrete, and a square with a pavilion with a small canteen and hygienic spaces and shades create the conditions to enhance the usage of the space.

Caves Area 1, © XO Architects and SIGMA & Co. Architects

Caves Area 2, © XO Architects and SIGMA & Co. Architects

Caves Area 3, © XO Architects and SIGMA & Co. Architects

*** The project was selected to represent Cyprus in the Mies Van Der Rohe awards 2019.

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Facts & Credits:

Name of the project: Mouttalos District Redevelopment, Location (city – country): Paphos – Cyprus, Client: Pafos Municipality, Activity: Public Spaces, Architects / authors: Chryso Onisiforou [XO Architects] – Iliana Socratous [SIGMA & Co. Architects], Structural engineering: Georgios Yiannikos, Electrical: Tereza Panagiotou, Mechanical: Kostas Tourvas, Quantity surveyor: Nicholas Onisiforou, Collaborator (external): Dimitris Papaioannou, Main contractor: Miltiades Neophytou Civil Engineering Contractors & Developers Ltd, Other subcontractors: KS SOCRATOUS – Α.Karamanos Meta Works Ltd – G.j.Renovation – Skoutaris Steel Ltd – Green Forest – AMFIAROS LIMITED – AIR CONTROL LTD, Total area (m²): 30000 m², Site area (m²): 30000 m², Year of completion: 2017, Text Description: Chryso Onisiforou [XO Architects] – Iliana Socratous [SIGMA & Co. Architects], Photography: Creative Photo Room – VASSOS ATHINODOROU  

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