Object of this project is the recast of this unique landscape, which belongs in Episkopi area, a southwest village of the province of Limassol in Cyprus, belonging to the British bases.
Specifically, the project-field concerns a “secret” bay which frames the beach and sets it apart from the rest area near the archaeological site of Kourion and the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates. The bay is known as Zapalo, a name derived from the homonym gravel mining company which was still active 50 years ago.
The inactive quarry is visible to this day. The traces at the sea level were created by the human factor but is also a result of nature’s contribution by carrying huge quantities of fine sand on the coast. The result of micro sea reminiscent similar to small salt marsh. This study proposes the creation of spaces defined by the remnants of the landscape. Following the lines of the landscape, the organic form is translated into linear incisions, to emphasize and contrast the dynamics of the land. A walkway is created to highlight the limits of the area, the beach bounded by the rigid terrain and the imprint of the inactive underwater quarry.
This option provides a path through the rock, offering either the sense of introversion or a focus on geographic and historic information and openness to the beauty of the landscape. Other important elements we considered were time and distance, which were determined as measured from the steps made by a human. Consideration that 110 steps could be made in 1 minute, a person would travel approximately 100 meters, prompted us to design openings which define the motion and suggested pace, guiding the visitor through the landscape and determining visual contact with the water element.
