International Conference Centre
Nicosia
The sixth month rotation for Presidency of the Council of the European Union passed to Cyprus July 2012. Completed ahead of programme, we have delivered a state-of the-art conference and communications centre for the Presidency, with our JV partners A+C, acknowledged as one of the very best by EU officials. Leading the design team and responsible for masterplanning the regeneration of the redundant city-centre site in Nicosia, we created distinctive external settings for both formal and informal events within a secure and controlled environment which is capable of accommodating large numbers of delegates and media representatives.
The new landscape design incorporates an elliptical arrangement of the 27 member state flags along with 12 selected olive trees set-out in a circular arrangement to reflect the 12 stars of the EU flag as well as the national emblem of Cyprus and the international symbol of peace. We also provided architecture and interior design services to convert, extend and refurbish the two run-down and disused buildings to provide the main conference and press centre. Each building has been stripped-out and subjected to a comprehensive replacement of all internal services, finishes and furnishings. New external cladding and roofing has significantly improved the thermal insulation and energy consumption of the facility.
The Xenon Conference Hall, with a capacity of 1,000-seats is the centrepiece of the project, and has been designed to enable quick reconfiguration to suit a range of specific seating layouts and sub-divisions. It is supported by 30 purpose-designed mezzanine booths for interpreters and media users. Other facilities include: two 150-seat auditoria, three 200-seat restaurants, two suites of six briefing rooms, and two suites for ministers and delegates, over 300 touch-down workstations, and a temporary media village for 36 country-operators.
The facility provides Cyprus and Nicosia with a legacy of world-class conference and media facilities, where multi-use events can be held long after the presidency period has finished.
Client:
Republic of Cyprus
Status:
Completed
Services provided:
Architecture, interior design