NEA PAFOS INTERNATIONAL DESIGN COMPETITION

Winning Design by Hugh Broughton Architects, Courtesy of Getty Conservation Institute.

Cyprus has been a major cultural and economic crossroad for more than two millennia. The World Heritage site of Pafos in Cyprus includes two ancient cities, Palaepafos and Nea Pafos, containing significant remains from the Hellenistic, Roman, early Christian, and Byzantine periods. 

The mosaic pavements among the ruins of Roman villas are among the most significant artifacts, but excavation leaves them vulnerable to environmental degradation.  The Department of Antiquities (DoA) of the Republic of Cyprus and the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) have been collaborating on a Management and Conservation Plan for mosaics and the archaeological site of Nea Pafos. Beginning with an open call for qualifications in 2020, six teams from England, Italy and the United States participated in a competition to design prototype shelters for the Villa of Theseus and the House of Orpheus.

The challenge was to identify strategies to protect the mosaics from human and environmental threats while maintaining visual connections to the site and setting, optimizing conditions for viewing and using locally-available materials and skills. As Chair of the final selection, Pamela led a jury of 10 distinguished conservators, archaeologists, architects and engineers through a five-month decision process.  More information on the process and the winning design scheme can be found at: https://www.getty.edu/news/getty-announces-winner-of-international-design-competition-in-cyprus/