Ayia Napa Marina is the most important Public-Private Partnership in the free Famagusta Province, in whatever sense one can ascribe to the terms ‘most important’ – be that of size, extent, operation or ambition. While Ayia Napa is renowned for its scenic and popular coastline, the asset allocated for the Project was devoid of sandy beaches and very limited in terms of surface area – meaning that the Marina is both an Infill Project, and that it had to create its own destination beach.
Building upon Cyprus’s long and rich history of seafaring and international commerce, the Project set out to establish a high-quality resort destination centred around a 600-bearth Marina. The first move in terms of spatial strategy was the creation of a performatively continuous, yet formally differentiated, commercial area, under an almost continuous parasol roof (for climatic reasons), as well as to compliment this strong hub of public life with both an Event Centre in front of a Public Square, as well as two iconic towers that act as a singular landmark. Beyond their evident size and distinctive presence in the area, the towers are premised upon a ‘twisting’ planimetric layout, in the sense that each floor rotates in relation to the previous and the next by 1.6 degrees.
While the primary use of both Towers is Residential, the East Tower, which is the one chronologically implemented in Phase A, accommodates several Collective Supporting Uses on its lower floors, thus enhancing the dynamics of the adjoining Commercial Zone –the performative epicentre of the entire development. Beyond these components, the Marina also hosts other types of residential units, yachting facilities, an extensive Boat Yard, as well as all the necessary infrastructure to allow it to operate as an official entry to the Republic of Cyprus. Given that the site is exposed to massive storm sea-waves (up to 8 meters high), harbour protection was a defining aspect of design. Notwithstanding this key practical concern, the result still manages to yield a tranquil setting for a vibrant marina condition, which acts as an urban attractor for residents, visitors and the local community.
Collaborators: SmithGroup JJR (Concept Design)