A group of Researchers from the Energy, Environment and Water Research Center (EEWRC) of the Cyprus Institute, and the Building Environment Laboratory of the University of Athens, on June 19th carried out, a series of atmospheric measurements at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, in order to  determine the potential of transforming the central administrative building of the Republic of Cyprus into a model environment-friendly state building. The measurements were taken using a mobile monitoring station, fully equipped with state-of-the-art instruments.

The study is being coordinated and carried out under the supervision of Prof. Loukas Kalisperis, of the Cyprus Institute with Prof. Mattheos Santamouris of the University of Athens and the Cyprus Institute and Prof. Ute Poerschke of the Pennsylvania State University. This research project will formally launch the EEWRC’s research agenda on Sustainable Built Environment. The study is undertaken in close collaboration with the Group of Building Environmental Research of the University of Athens which is chaired by the Vice Rector of the University of Athens, Professor Demosthenes Asimakopoulos, and the Department of Architecture at the Pennsylvania State University.

The President of the Republic Mr. Demetris Christofias,  said “this initiative should  send a clear message, with actions and not words, that environmental sensitivity is a major concern of the Government. With the completion of the upgrade, the Presidential Palace of Cyprus will become the world’s first prime state building, as no other country has attempted such an action.” The desire of the President is for the work to be completed as quickly as possible. Speaking at the Presidential Palace, Under Secretary to the President Dr. Titos Christophides said “the Presidential Palace will comprise a pioneering endeavor and an example for the Cypriot society for the development of a social and environmental conscience”.  Christophides went on to say the initiative was undertaken after a decision by the President of the Republic Demetris Christofias, in cooperation with the Cyprus Institute, adding the message was for this effort to be seen as a practical measure to save energy.

The President of the Cyprus Institute, Prof. Costas Papanicolas stated that “the Institute recognizing  the urgent need for action to be taken in order to improve the environmental design of residential areas in Cyprus, has began active research in the field of sustainable building environment. The initiative for the «Green Presidential Palace» which the President of the Republic has requested honors us and relays us with enormous responsibilities. The symbolism of this project will have a global impact”.

Similar measurements were also carried out in Eleftheria Square in the center of the capital.

In September the second phase of the project started with a series of site visits to the Presidential Palace, by evaluating the architectural components and systems of the building in order to establish possible design and construction changes. A team of researchers from the Cyprus Institute together with Prof. Ute Poerschke, from Pennsylvania State University conducted an extensive on site investigation of the Presidential Palace. This process will continue with the environmental and technical systems simulation.

CyI Contact:

Prof. Loukas Kalisperis

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tel.: +357 222 08 630