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The Department of Antiquities
of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works and the Getty Conservation
Institute of the U.S.A. announce that after a long-term process, the winner
of a joint international competition inaugurated in Fall 2019 for the design
of shelters for the mosaics and other sensitive archaeological remains at the
archaeological site of Nea Pafos, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage
Site, is the architectural office of Hugh Broughton Architects.
This competition was promoted
in the framework of the Conservation and Management Plan prepared by the
Department of Antiquities with the Getty Conservation Institute for the
protection of this important archaeological site and the mosaic floors that
are unique in the entire eastern Mediterranean, as well as the rest of the
remains and monuments dating to the Hellenistic, Roman, Early Christian,
Byzantine, Medieval and Ottoman period. During the elaboration of this Plan,
the creation of shelters for the protection and optimal presentation of
mosaic floors and archaeological remains was considered necessary and of
great importance.
After examining the proposals
submitted by many architectural firms internationally, six architectural
firms were selected for the final phase of the competition: Carmody Croarke,
Cullinan Studio, Studio Gionata Rizzi, Hugh Broughton Architects, Machado
Silvetti and Sela James Architects (in collaboration with Gort Scott). At
this stage, the six offices were asked to prepare Proposals with
Architectural Designs (Concept Designs) for two shelter prototypes. The first
shelter is for the House of Theseus and will cover the mosaics with a scene
from the life of Achilles, Theseus and the Minotaur in the Labyrinth and a
complex of baths with geometric mosaics. The second shelter will protect the
House of Orpheus and the mosaics with the battle of Hercules and the lion of
Nemea, Orpheus and the animals that surround him listening to his music and a
smaller complex of baths.
For the needs of the
competition, the Department of Antiquities and the Getty Conservation
Institute, in collaboration with scientists from abroad, experts in
conservation issues and protective shelters for archaeological sites, created
a detailed Design Brief which included the main criteria: the need to protect
sensitive archaeological remains from anthropogenic and environmental
threats, the importance of maintaining the relationship between the shelters
and the surroundings, the creation of the appropriate conditions for viewing
the mosaics and facilitating the movement of visitors, the use of sustainable
materials and systems. Also, the architectural offices were asked to suggest
ways to implement their plans in other places and remains of the site, in addition
to these two houses. The architectural offices then visited the
archaeological site, in order to understand its special features and needs so
as to complete their ideas, discussing with an Archaeological Officer of the
Department of Antiquities and a scientist specializing in the archaeology of
Pafos.
The proposals with the
Architectural Plans were evaluated by an international committee consisting
of members of the scientific staff of the Department of Antiquities and the
Getty Conservation Institute and independent international scientists
specializing in the fields of conservation, archaeology, architectural
design, structural and environmental engineering, with extensive previous
experience in archaeological and historical sites. The committee was chaired
by a Professor of Practice in the Field of Historic Preservation at the
University of Pennsylvania. It is noted that, in addition to the
international committee, the Department of Antiquities proceeded to the
establishment of a special local evaluation committee. The latter consisted
of representatives of the Departments of Antiquities and Public Works, an
architect and a civil engineer with many years of experience in similar
projects, as well as a Professor Emeritus of the University of Cyprus specializing
in the archaeology of Pafos.
The six offices presented
various ideas in the proposals they submitted and responded with creative
solutions to the challenge to balance the various and often conflicting
design requirements. The Department of Antiquities and the Getty Conservation
Institute are grateful for the participation and dedication of all teams
throughout this time-consuming and highly competitive process.
The Commission considered that
the proposal submitted by the Hugh Broughton architects office for the
creation of a semi-open shelter provided the most comprehensive and balanced
answers to the complex criteria set out in the Design Guide, with priority
given to the protection of mosaics. The structural design that keeps the
interior of the roof intact and the inventive solution for the foundation of
the structure without the need to carry out further excavations, minimize the
impact of the proposed project on the archaeological site. At the same time,
it provides protection from earthquakes, winds and other hazards.
In addition, this proposal is
based on an understanding of the general environmental threats to mosaics,
such as the creation of salts, and presents solutions for effective control.
The individual elements of the proposal for the shelter prototype, such as
the roof and the use of local materials such as clay tiles, wooden elements
on the walls and in other places, are consistent with other existing
structures within and near the archaeological site. The proposed shelter does
not compete with mosaics and other remains due to the simplicity of its
design, while the proposed flexible system with pedestrian bridges allows
various options for the development of visitor traffic routes. The shelters
can be expanded or replicated with a solution proposed by the team for the
use of "kit of parts", with materials that are available locally
and can be easily replaced.
The Director of the Department
of Antiquities stated that “the protection of the mosaics of the important
UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site of Nea Pafos, which are of unique
value, is among the priorities of the Department of Antiquities. For this
reason, it was decided to collaborate with the Getty Conservation Institute
for the creation of a Conservation and Management Plan, as well as for
initiating this international competition for shelter designs which will
protect the sensitive archaeological remains. The concept design developed by
"Hugh Broughton Architects" considers the main criteria put forward
as part of the competition, such as the need to preserve the integrity of the
site and the broader area, and other environmental factors and visitation
issues. The proposal will be finalized following discussions with the
Department of Antiquities and the Getty Conservation Institute and will be
implemented based on governmental procedures”.
According to Jeanne Marie
Teutonico, Associate Director of the Strategic Initiatives and Publications
section of the Getty Conservation Institute, “the design of shelters on
archaeological sites is a complex undertaking that must balance a number of
competing demands. "Hugh Broughton Architects" creative and
thoughtful design concept provides protection for the site’s mosaics with
structures that are sustainable and sensitive to the archaeological context”.
As Hugh Broughton, winner of
the competition, mentioned, “It has been a privilege to develop ideas for
shelter prototypes at Nea Pafos and we are thrilled to have been selected as
winners of the design competition. We have proposed solutions which minimize
physical and visual impact on the site and make best use of sustainable
passive design techniques to protect the remarkable Roman mosaics and
archaeology. Our designs reflect a creative and methodical collaboration
between architects, conservation specialists and engineers, all of whom are
looking forward to working in partnership with the Department of Antiquities
and the Getty Conservation Institute to develop proposals to preserve the
future of this stunning historic place.”
For the purposes of informing
the public, it is stated that the Getty is an internationally recognized
organization in arts, which is active in the field of exhibitions, as well as
preservation and understanding of the world’s artistic and cultural heritage.
It collaborates with institutions around the world, while the work of the
Getty Foundation, Getty Conservation Institute, Getty Museum and Getty
Research Institute, aims to understand the relationships between cultures.
The Getty Conservation Institute, with which the Department of Antiquities
has been collaborating for many years, focuses on the development of
conservation practices for archaeological sites. It supports conservation
through scientific research, education, field research and the dissemination
of information, thus creating and offering knowledge.
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