Alumil systems in the Disability Care Center at The Ellinikon and the importance of Architecture in Social Infractructure

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27SEP 2024
# TITLE: Alumil systems in the Disability Care Center at The Ellinikon and the importance of Architecture in Social Infractructure

The Importance of Architecture in Social Infrastructure and the Need for Quality Materials and Projects in the Care/Healthcare Sector


The Case of the Ellinikon Disability Care Center

The Disability Care Center at The Ellinikon is a pioneering project, aiming to mark the beginning of a new era for social health and care infrastructure in Greece. The new building, designed by BETAPLAN, is the first completed project in the ambitious redevelopment of Ellinikon. It is designed with the aim of supporting and providing care services to people with disabilities (PWD). The initiative embodies the concept of sustainable development, social inclusion, and equal access for all citizens to essential health and welfare infrastructure.

The Importance of Social Health and Care Infrastructure
Social health infrastructure, such as the Disability Care Center, is a cornerstone for improving the quality of life for citizens in any modern state. The care of individuals with disabilities requires not only high-quality services but also the appropriate infrastructure, allowing users to feel safe, comfortable, and independent. Such facilities create an environment where vulnerable groups can enjoy the support they need, enhancing social cohesion and equality. The Disability Care Center, as a social infrastructure project, highlights the importance of investing in care and health, and how such infrastructure contributes to improving societal well-being. People with disabilities face numerous challenges, from accessing healthcare services to social integration. By creating specialized buildings like this one at Ellinikon, society recognizes their needs and responds in a practical and meaningful way. The Disability Care Center at The Ellinikon is a prime example of how a city can be developed with a focus on social care and the well-being of all its citizens. This model social care complex, of European standards, consists of four interconnected buildings, where four disability organizations (Amyoni, Ermis, Niki – Victor Artant, and the Multiple Sclerosis Association) were relocated. These organizations had previously operated in 1970s facilities of only 2,500 square meters. The total area of the new complex is 11,500 square meters on a 7,400-square-meter plot, with outdoor spaces featuring more than 8,000 plants, 150 trees, and various shrubs and flowers from Greek nature.

The Importance of Quality Materials in Care/Healthcare Units
One of the key factors contributing to the success of this project is the use of high-quality and sustainable materials in the construction of the building. The building has already been awarded Building of the Year at the 7th Infrastructure & Transport Conference. The materials used not only serve an aesthetic role in the buildings appearance but are also crucial for its functionality, safety, energy efficiency, and durability. Notably, the windows and louvers used in the Disability Care Center are among the key architectural elements of the building.
ALUMIL, a company specializing in the production of advanced aluminum systems, supplied the windows and façade systems for the building. Specifically, the following ALUMIL aluminum systems were used in the complex:

  • The SMARTIA M7 aluminum curtain wall system, which offers high energy efficiency, increased levels of security and sound insulation, and is noted for its sturdiness and resistance to extreme weather conditions.
  • The SMARTIA S67 thermal insulation opening system, combining high aesthetics, enhanced security, and top-level thermal insulation, offering great design flexibility due to the wide range of available typologies.
  • The fire-resistant M84FR opening system, providing excellent thermal insulation and certified fire resistance (EI60 and EI90).
  • The SMARTIA MD67 thermally insulated entrance door system, distinguished by its accessibility and top-level functionality.
  • The innovative WOODALUX synthetic wood panels used for the exterior wall cladding, known for their unique aesthetics and resistance to harsh weather conditions.