A new scenario | baths and a power production facility

Giali is a small uninhabited volcanic island in Greece with one of the world’s largest open-pit pumice mines. Although it is included in the Natura 2000 Network and declared a Protected Landscape of Natural Beauty, two companies operate in four locations. The royalty fees mining brings to the nearby island of Nisyros are the biggest source of revenue for its Municipality. The excavations started in the 50s and have a specific time frame, but no plan has been proposed regarding the island’s development. Due to this mono-cultural economy, Giali is at risk of eroding away. Within the future climate goals, Nisyrians decided to prevent further exploitation of unrenewable resources and reclaim the mine sustainably. The project focuses on utilizing Giali’s geothermal energy through an architectural program in which energy production and the bathing element have the leading roles.

Giali island | site analysis and floor plans

Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source in the form of heat generated inside the earth and has many applications in various industries. The geothermal power plant is a heat hub that produces electricity for Nisyros, meeting its needs. Its waste heat is consumed directly at the bathing facilities, just as geothermal sources are used by different cultures for purification and relaxation. According to a cascading system, the spaces are arranged depending on their heat and humidity requirements, creating a hybrid where all the senses are stimulated. The primary source of inspiration for the building’s morphology was the pumice stones found in Giali’s southwestern part. Pumice is a volcanic rock whose main characteristic is its porosity. Accordingly, the building is porous, with cavities overlooking the external environment and subterranean rooms that house the private areas. The spaces began to be formed by carving the landscape, with water flowing into the cavities and crevices that emerged. The building is integrated into the topography and, at first sight, remains hidden. The steam emitted by the power plant’s cooling towers invites people to discover it, intensifying the overall experience. On the inside, bathers move from small intimate spaces to larger ones and vice versa, until the bathing sequence is completed, gradually bringing them to a state of calmness.

Sustainability and program analysis | use and management of renewable resources

The proposal explores the connection of the plant’s industrial character with the stimulating aura exuded by the baths, and it is in harmony with the "genius loci," highlighting the site’s unique atmosphere. It also differs from the standard mine reclamation practices, mainly including topsoil placement and reforestation. In this project, a combination of three design approaches is applied. The first one seeks to engage the public and the local communities and educate them about energy production and consumption in the present age, mining, and future land use by designing the info point, power plant, and exhibition. The second one focuses on utilizing Giali’s rainwater and clean, renewable energy resources with environmental responsibility to reduce energy and resource inputs. The third one suggests rehabilitating the location for public and recreational amenities, namely electric utilities, walking trails, and baths.

Visualizations | interior and exterior views through different seasons

The project highlights the architects’ social responsibility and proposes a sustainable scenario for the area's development and self-sufficiency. It also raises awareness of critical environmental and energy management challenges. The approaches can act as catalysts in solving critical issues and positively impact the region's socioeconomic future. The project could trigger a series of new interventions related to Giali, Nisyros, and other neighbouring islands.