Museum expansion clears its design review

The Central Archaeological Council and the Central Council for Modern Monuments gave unanimous positive opinions, with observations, on the final designs for enlarging and upgrading the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. The studies span architecture, structure, electromechanical systems, landscape design, lighting and museum display, and they cover the whole building block, including the Epigraphic Museum. The Chipperfield-Tompazi offices lead the architectural design, and David Chipperfield attended the council sessions. Drafting of the studies began after parliament ratified in April 2024 a 40,000,000 euro donation contract from Spyros and Dorothy Latsis, given in memory of Ioannis and Erietta Latsis, which covers the funding of all the studies. Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni described the museum in these terms:

“The National Archaeological Museum is one of the most important guardians of our cultural heritage at international level.”

Mendoni also said that a special urban plan was approved last June and that a strategic environmental impact study is still in the approval process. She said the project now moves to its next phase on schedule and within the existing legal framework. Chipperfield, as the reports describe his remarks, said that museums are tourist destinations in part but are essentially meant for citizens, and that one of the challenges was making the collection significant for the people of the city as well as for foreign visitors.

Asphalt to give way to Aliveri marble

The Central Council for Modern Monuments unanimously approved the architectural study for the surroundings of the Unknown Soldier memorial on Syntagma Square. The plan replaces the asphalt in front of the memorial and the Greek Parliament with grey Aliveri marble, laid in zones. The reports give two reasons: the worn, slippery asphalt made it harder for the Evzones on guard at the sentry posts to move, and the surface absorbed and gave off heat in the summer months. The new grey marble will match the colour of the asphalt, which the memorial's architect Emmanuel Lazaridis had originally chosen. The memorial was unveiled 94 years ago. The council asked for detailed lighting studies, a planting study and a specialised study of the benches proposed for the square.

Repairs and a change of responsibility

Over 94 years, the memorial's marble has developed cracks, breaks and damage from soot and black crust. The metal parts need cleaning and filling. The Ministry of Culture's services will handle the cleaning and conservation of the relief, the marble and the metal elements at the back of the monument. Responsibility for guarding, upkeep and the redesign now sits with the Ministry of National Defence. Reports also say that additional planting in the square is being examined, though the details have not yet been clarified.

What the reports leave open

The reports do not give a start date or a budget for the paving work. They also do not say when construction on the museum will begin. The council opinions are one step in a process, and the strategic environmental impact study is still awaiting approval.