Every island begins with an arrival. Before its streets, landscapes, and everyday life reveal themselves, there is a first encounter—a moment where the visitor forms an impression of the place and its identity. We see the harbour not merely as a point of transition, but as a threshold between land and sea, movement and pause, departure and belonging.
Our proposal reimagines this threshold as a continuous public landscape where architecture, infrastructure, and nature coexist in balance. Rather than introducing monumental interventions, the design embraces the modest scale of the island, allowing the coastline itself to become the project's primary gesture. The pier extends naturally from the land, while a sequence of waiting spaces, sheltered areas, and public amenities create moments of rest, orientation, and gathering.
The architectural language draws inspiration from the simplicity of the island's built environment. Clean geometries, restrained forms, and materials that resonate with the landscape create an intervention that feels familiar rather than imposed. The waiting pavilion, small facilities, and open spaces become quiet landmarks that frame views towards the sea while blending into the horizon.
The project reinvents the notion of the canopy as an architectural typology. Instead of defining a boundary, it guides movement, frames selected views, provides shelter from sun and prevailing winds, and establishes a careful equilibrium between built form and open landscape
Beyond its operational role, the waterfront is envisioned as a place that remains active throughout the day. Residents and visitors are invited to walk along the shoreline, pause beneath the canopy, or simply experience the changing atmosphere of the sea. The journey to the pier becomes a sequence of views and moments of contemplation.
Ultimately, the project is about giving identity to a place through restraint rather than excess. By balancing functionality with atmosphere and architecture with landscape, the proposal creates a memorable gateway that reflects the character of the island—a harbour that becomes both a point of arrival and a meaningful public space.
Project Architect: Alexis Vikelas
Design Team:
