‘Thessaloniki ConfEx Park’ Design Competition Attracts International Interest

Thessaloniki International Exhibition Center

The architectural design competition for the revamp of the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Center has attracted the interest of professionals from all over the world.

Greece’s national exhibition body TIF-Helexpo launched the competition earlier this year, aiming to redevelop its fairgrounds to a state-of-the-art convention center, which will be named Thessaloniki ConfEx Park.

According to TIF-Helexpo, a total of 116 applications were submitted during the competition’s first phase by architectural firms, groups of offices or architects based in 33 countries in five continents.

Greek architectural offices have also expressed interest.

Meanwhile, more than 300 people have registered on the competition’s website at www.thessaloniki-confexpark.gr.

“The strong interest of architectural offices from all over the world is a vote of confidence on the project for the creation of a new landmark site with bioclimatic features for a modern city. It will help Thessaloniki become an important exhibition center for Southeastern Europe, and improve the quality of life of its citizens, ” TIF-Helexpo President Tasos Tzikas said.

Moving on to the next phase, 15 teams of offices/architects will be pre-selected by December 2020 to submit their designing proposals by May 2021.

An international jury will announce the winner in June 2021.

The international competition was launched in accordance with the principles of UNESCO, while its regulations have been approved by the International Union of Architects (UIA).

The project foresees the design of an environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art emblematic exhibition and conference center that will be developed under the highest standards.

According to the master plan, the site is an area of 161.769,04 square meters and divided into 6 sectors according to land uses: exhibition facilities (sector I and II); area for business uses with development of commercial, office, recreation and hotel facilities (sector III); new conference center and luxury exhibition space (sector IV); large open space (sector V); and preserved area for sports activities (sector VI).

Sector V will be an urban park for the city’s residents and suitable for leisure, outdoor cultural events and exhibitions.