David Chipperfield Reveals Design for the Nationwide Archaeological Museum in Athens
David Chipperfield Architects has gained the competitors for the Nationwide Archaeological Museum in Athens. The proposal was developed along with Wirtz Worldwide, Tombazis &Affiliate Architects, wh-p ingenieure, Werner Sobek and Atelier Brückner. Positioned within the Exarcheia district of Athens, the Nationwide Archaeological Museum homes one of many world’s most essential collections of prehistoric and historical artwork.
The unique neoclassical constructing by Ludwig Lange and Ernst Ziller, dates from 1866—1874, and has been supplemented with further buildings over time. By way of refurbishment and extension, the Nationwide Archaeological Museum of Athens might be modernized to fulfill at present’s requirements of high quality, openness and sustainability. The re-birth of the Nationwide Archaeological Museum, which stands as a strong hyperlink between trendy Greeks and their heritage, additionally symbolizes the strengthening of the Greek cultural provide for worldwide guests following a yr during which a report variety of vacationers got here to the nation.
David Chipperfield Architects attracts on the essence of Lange’s authentic design – a romantic philhellenic concept of an city panorama, articulated by way of lush open areas inside the dense metropolis grid – taking the monumental constructing as a place to begin and framing it with nature. The plinth of the present constructing is prolonged all the way in which to the road, offering a brand new setting for the historic landmark constructing, whereas including two flooring of subterranean galleries. In a single gesture, this generates roughly 20,000 m2 of further area and a lush inexperienced park on the roof that’s open to all. Respecting the constructing’s historic worth, the extension doesn’t aspire to compete with the present structure, however types a harmonious ensemble of areas, discovering a steadiness between previous and new.
The design’s logic follows the present topography of the positioning: an imposing neoclassical constructing going through an enormous inexperienced plaza. The extension will comprise the museum’s predominant public features – ticket desk, store, restaurant, auditorium and everlasting and non permanent exhibitions areas – that are organised symmetrically, acknowledging the historic structure. The primary entrance is introduced ahead to road degree, reinforcing the museum’s relationship with the town. By way of a brand new façade the museum communicates brazenly with its city environment, providing passers-by views into the brand new exhibition areas.
Upon getting into the museum, guests stroll by way of two flooring of steady, flowing exhibition area that leads them to the present constructing. A refined architectural language of pure and clear volumes, diagonal views and rammed-earth partitions contrasts with the historic areas. Together with a exact play of sunshine and shadow, this evokes the sensation of subterranean caverns, forming a delicate setting for exhibiting artefacts and sculptures from the gathering.
The museum backyard supplies a cool, quiet public area elevated above the bustling metropolis. It echoes the traditional Greek supreme of a public gathering area for all residents. The panorama, designed by the Belgian panorama architects Wirtz Worldwide, is wealthy in texture. The volumes on the decrease degree permit for the planting of monumental timber on the roof. Lavish gravel areas and paths, lawns, teams of Umbrella and Aleppo pines with evergreen Holm oaks and tailor-made shrub massings reference Nineteenth-century parks. The park is accessible from all instructions, and a sunken, sheltered internal courtyard on the coronary heart of the advanced binds collectively the previous and new, offering a lovely assembly place for museum guests and Athenians.
The Dutch structure agency OMA additionally just lately gained the competitors to renovate the Egyptian Museum in Turin, Italy.
