The ""Geek Gaze"" is the new residential project in Maroussi by GConstructions team and partners, designed by Fotis Gazepidis and Anna Chatziioannou. Structurally the building is anti-seismic according to Eurocode standards, while architecturally the shape of the building is inspired by the idea of a head with glasses arising from the ground - which is where its name comes from. It consists of four properties on three levels. On the ground floor there are two lofts with gardens designed symmetrically opposite to one another. Above them, on the first and second floor, there are two bright maisonettes with a private elevator orientated to the south view of Athens. The whole building is surrounded by a wonderful and spacious yard, while indoor parking spaces and storage rooms for all properties are placed in the basement. The location is considered ideal for living since the neighborhood gathers a large number of comforts for its residents, being close to transportations and amenities (Athens Olympic Sports Complex, Metro-Suburban Station, Shopping Centers and Airport-Port Easy Access).

GC Blog: Why in Maroussi and not somewhere else?
 
F: It happens to be our home, not only as individuals, but as a construction business as well. We have lived in Maroussi for the last three decades, so school, friends, activities, everything happened in these neighbourhoods: as a result, we know the lifestyle and the dynamic of this place as residents very well. Moreover, most of our developing projects have taken place here, so we have experienced the area with regards to all the stages of a residential construction project: Plot selection, design regulations, construction peculiarities, market needs etc. You could say somehow that we are specialised in residential buildings in Maroussi.

GC Blog: Why this plot and not another one in Maroussi?

F: Apart from the cost, which is obviously a top factor, location and shape are also considered top priorities for plot selection.
Concerning the location, the “Geek Gaze” is considered by us an ideal place for living… especially for foreign citizens, judging from their requests. It is in a safe modern suburb providing a great lifestyle, while real estate prices are increasing in the area. The plot is located at the borders of Maroussi and Pefki, close to amenities and points of high interest for its residents. Specifically, the location is no more than:
-Half a kilometre (or 2 minutes by car) from the interchange of Attiki Odos, the main and the most modern motorway of Athens, which leads to Athens Airport (20 minutes) and to the country’s national highways (5 minutes).
-1Km (or 10 to 15min walk) from the interchange station of Neratziotissa, which connects Marousi with the metro network of Athens and the suburban railway that takes you directly to Athens airport and port.
- 4 minutes by car to OAKA, the main Olympic complex of Athens Olympic games 2004, full of sports facilities and free space where big events also take place, such as important concerts and sport games.
-1Km (or 10 to 15min walk) from shopping malls and supermarkets. “Mall of Athens”, “Golden Hall” and “Avenue” are the best in the country.
-5 minutes by car to Kifissias Avenue that connects Maroussi with Kifissia and Athens city center.
-5 minutes by car from the best private or public hospitals in the country (Ygeia and Iatriko Athinon, KAT, Sismanoglio).
-15-40 minutes from the most important international schools in the country.
 
GC Blog: What is your architectural design based on?

F: The shape of an urban building depends largely on the plot shape and the building regulations applied in the area. Gconstructions team is experienced enough to visualise a building, taking into consideration these kinds of factors. From the very beginning we knew that in this case plot, dimensions and shape would allow us to design a building with clean lines and symmetry.  However, this was not enough and for this reason special attention was given to the architectural design, not only in terms of aesthetics but mainly in terms of functionality aiming for optimal use of the potential of our plot.
The slope of the terrain is advantageous for us, therefore during planning, effort was given so that this slope would be used for the benefit of the building. That explains our decision to place the two maisonettes on the top of the two ground floor apartments, three meters above the ground, as well as why the bedrooms are placed downstairs and the leisure spaces upstairs, in contrast with a regular maisonette’s layout. All these parameters allow the living room, the terrace, and the kitchen of the maisonettes to be orientated ideally to a south view over the nearby buildings.
We also tried to distribute the benefits and privileges emerged from the design according to each property’s needs.  For example, the maisonettes which are the largest, the most premium and the most expensive properties of the building are accompanied by double indoor parking space, large storage room in the basement, and a private elevator that stops on every level of the building. On the other hand, ground floor apartments may have a single indoor parking space in the basement and a little smaller storage room, they may not have an elevator, but each of them is granted a piece of the plot so that we can upgrade them with extra garden space, which is a vital feature for a ground floor property buyer.
Finally, emphasis was given to the privacy of each property in such a way that all of them enjoy the advantages of a detached house. The four properties share the four corners of the building. Specifically, “I1” is orientated northwest, “I2” northeast, “M1” southwest and “M2” southeast.
 To be honest … As a matter of fact, it did not start from the idea to create a building that looks like a “geek” that gazes somewhere. That came after, since in design it’s always “form follows function” and not the opposite.