ATHENS | National Library @ National Opera of Greece - Cultural Park

[somataki]

Originally Posted by Giorgio

I like the idea of the canal but I am not sure whether I am happy with the design. The concept is very correct IMO and I do not dare question Mr. Piano's decisions however I think that Athens needs more flamboyant architecture, something eye-catching like the proposal for the Hellenic World Foundation.

What could be more eye-catching than a building-hill in the seaside of the city, with full view to the sea from the one side and to the acropolis at the other? Its looks spectacular, a place that anyone would dream to visit!!! I hope to see more detailed renders very soon!!! Bravo Renzo!!!!!!!!

[ELLIN]

Originally Posted by somataki

What could be more eye-catching than a building-hill in the seaside of the city, with full view to the sea from the one side and to the acropolis at the other? Its looks spectacular, a place that anyone would dream to visit!!! I hope to see more detailed renders very soon!!! Bravo Renzo!!!!!!!!

I cant wait to starting building it...im living at the area.....I cant hide my hapiness

[gm2263]

Full report on the project: Rentzo Piano's presentation in Athens Megaron Concert and congress Hall, Jan. 24, 2009:

Introduction

After a long period of anticipation the renowned architect Rentzo Piano presented his "preliminary" designs on the new Athens Opera and National Library Complex.

The project is located in the place of the abandoned estate formerly hosting the installations of the old Athens equestrian center a premium location by all means standing at the intersection of Syggrou, Ethnarchou Makariou and Posseidonos Avenues, bordering with the grounds of the Taekwondo stadium (now used as a convention center and congress hall) as well as a number of marinas, entertainment and other recreational facilities and installations, an estate constituting a hot spot in what is rapidly becoming known as "the Athenian Riviera.

A very good visual idea on the particular spot is given by the following Google Earth image where the site is exactly in the center of the image.



Rentzo Piano's excellent presentation took place in the main hall of the Athens Megaron Concert hall where all available seats have been occupied long before the official starting time of the event.


Rationale and Philosophy of the project - Preliminary Considerations

The particular location, occupying some 18 hectares of land, has been coveted by many developers and has been the object of lust of many urban planners. In the late 1960's to the early 1970s there have been a number of proposals for the wider area mostly comprising highrise hotel and/ or residential complexes:

1968:



1972:



Up until the Athens 2004 summer Olympics the area was used as an equastrian center, which was relocated to the new installations in Markopoulon, to the north-east of the capital. part of the developments of the Olympic installations was the construction of an elevated corridor, the well known "esplanade" which connected Syggrou Avenue to the coastal zone, something which, given the emptiness of this vast area prompted Mr Piano to characterize the esplanade as "connecting nothing to nothing", clearly describing the "urban void" next to it.

A few years ago, the Niarchos foundation (founded by Niarchos, a Greek shipowner and a major competitor of Onassis BTW) decided to build and donate to the Greek State a long outstanding array of two buildings: The Athens Opera House (now known as "Athens Lyric Scene" and accommodated in an outdated theater in downtown Athens) and the new National Library, which will decongest the existing historic but totally inadequate Athens Library Building also located in the center of the city.

Rentzo Piano went to work immediately and true, we've seen pictures of his initial meetings with the Prime minister and members of the cultural administration but still, the whole announcements were painting a very sketchy picture where the only constant element was his idea to create what he called a "cultural park" where free green space would be the primary objective, as well as an unobstructed view to both the sea and the Acropolis.



A first announcement on the plans was expected late in fall 2008. The event took place on January 24, 2009. And it was worth the wait.


Rentzo Piano's Presentation on Project Design

The venue: Partial view of the main Hall of the Athens Megaron Concert Hall



Here is a short video I took with my photocamera (sorry for poor quality) showing Piano's entry to the podium at the beginning of his presentation:



In the first part Mr Piano addressed the audience and made a review of his architectural philosophy which, according to his own words revolves around the following axes:

The presentation consisted of two parts.

1. Adaptation of each work to the environment and the purpose of the work. He mentioned all of his projects from the Beaubourg in Paris to more recent works including the known cultural center in New Caledonia, the Times-Warner building in NY and others.

2. Transparency and avoidance of "secluded" spaces through the use of transparent building materials wherever possible.

3. Also depending on the character of each project, acclimatization of each project with the local prevailing conditions. For Athens and Greece two are the major elements: The Mediterranean flora and the Sea.

Rentzo Piano commenting on the Beaubourg Center in Paris, One of his first works.



The man at work







Describing the notion of the green roof as a means of integrating with an already existing green environment. This is a project in San Fransisco




After this general overview Mr Piano proceeded to the explanation of his implementation philosophy on his first Greek project:

First of all, as it is already known Athens is a densely built city. The same pertains to the suburb opposite the land plot where his project is to be built, which is called "Kallithea". The English translation would be "Bellvue" and the Italian one "Bella Vista" according to the words of Mr Piano himself. The name implies that once upon a time the view from Kallithea used to be "beautiful", facing the Saronic Gulf. All that before the 1960s that is. So, Mr Piano took into account that this particular area lost its connection with the sea which Mr Piano considered to be equal to a loss of identity for this part of the Athenian coastal zone.

In order to restore this balance, it means that although the structures had to be "big" this had to take place in a manner not "intrusive" to the urban reality of the neighboring suburbs. On the contrary, his project should alleviate the burden of the loss of contact with the sea and thus he needed to follow a different approach than in other cities where greenery was not the primary objective. The complex is to be "submerged" under the edge of slightly sloping garden surface. In this manner, a continuous accessing space will be allowed to a wide terrace overlooking the sea with the two main buildings literally buried but not hidden since in the middle there will be a huge atrium, the agora, which will allow the unobstructed movement of the visitors though all levels of the complex to and from the sea, as well as the vast expanse of the sloping gardens to the side looking towards the city.

The height at the highest point of the project's elevation is 30 meters. The slope of the artificial hill is at a 5 degrees angle to the horizontal plain.

Some drawings: You may click on images for an enlarged version of each image.


-Topographic model



Notably, both the library and the opera will be parallel in terms of orientation with their south side looking towards the sea and their north looking towards the city of Athens and the Acropolis.

-Sketch and drawing depicting the concept of sloping gardens and the "subterranean" notion of the project:






-Bird's eye model view further extending the notion of "transparency" on the roofs of the structures allowing direct sunlight to flood in the main concourses and halls:



-Bird's eye Cutaway view model of the project. To the left is the Opera and to the right is the library




The Master Explaining:



-Side cutaway drawing of the opera




Conclusion: Spiritual Ascension

My view: Speechless.

Rentzo Piano created an art of work where the prevailing element was the concern for the needs of the particular neighborhood, besides the functional needs of the institutions he was called to serve. The environmental integration of this project to the overall environment is seamless and beyond any criticism with perhaps the observation that there will need to be LOTS of ground-digging and other foundation works before we see a glimpse of the final shape of the project.

This factor, combined with the complex demands in terms of structural engineering simply implies that completion of this work will be lengthy at least. A modest estimation is for about six years with the planning horizon extending well into 2015 and perhaps beyond.

In conclusion, Rentzo Piano's overall attitude and demeanor left the audience with the best impressions and confident that one of the biggest if not the biggest work for the city of Athens is about to start soon.

[systema magicum]

Thank you for the excellent presentation. This project will be a masterpiece for contemporary architecture.χρόνια πολλά gm!

[ELLIN]

This is the site of the how its called "right hand" of Renzo Piano....Deborah Nevins...
She is specialized in Landscape design and it is consider as the best in the world...from the image of the site i can imagine the Niarchos Cultural Park....
In the projects it is already listed the Athens project...
http://www.dnalandscape.com/

[systema magicum]

Thank you ELLIN for the info

[systema magicum]

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/090127/3...blic.html?.v=1
Renzo Piano: Environmentally Progressive Concept Design for Athens' Modern Urban Icon, The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC)
Tuesday January 27, 4:22 pm ET
ATHENS, Greece, January 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) and the Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW), a world-renowned architectural firm, revealed the concept design for the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), housing the National Library of Greece and the Greek National Opera, both set within the Stavros Niarchos Park. SNFCC is the first public-private endeavor of its kind with the Greek State and SNF is pleased to have formed a precedent-setting relationship to create this new urban icon. Inspired by SNF's strong ties to Greece and enduring commitment to enriching the lives of citizens from around the world, SNFCC will honor Greek culture by enabling both Greek and global visitors to experience art, education, and green space.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090127/PH63361 )

As SNFCC will be a global destination, Andreas Dracopoulos, Co-President and Member of the SNF Board of Directors, remarked that SNF is proud to, "contribute to the Greek State's efforts in providing the people of Greece with additional resources with which to strengthen our ability to face today's challenging world. The challenges are great and no one, either in the public or private domain can solve alone all of the issues and challenges we are facing as individuals, as Nations, as the world at large."

Commenting on the significance of SNFCC, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis stated that, "this Center is a milestone for our country. The design is truly astonishing. In a wonderful manner, it combines high aesthetics with functionality and consideration for the environment. I am certain that its impact will extend beyond our national boundaries."

State-of-the-Art & Environmentally Progressive

SNFCC will be located at the Faliron Delta area in Athens, Greece and will include the latest in environmentally progressive, state-of-the-art facilities. In addition to increased exposure to the arts and access to green space, both physical and virtual guests will benefit from the technologically advanced library. RPBW also paid particular attention to the accessibility for people of all ages and special needs.

In keeping with SNF's and RPBW's mission to create an emissions neutral facility, the project has been conceptualized with the highest standards of environmental sustainability. A pivotal design element that will play a significant role in helping achieve this aggressive standard can be seen in Piano and his Building Workshop's innovative roof- a series of interconnected photovoltaic cell panels which will cover the structure's needs, taking advantage of the pure "green" solar and wind energy. SNFCC is also expected to receive LEED certification. LEED addresses all building types and emphasizes state-of-the-art strategies in five areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resources selection, and indoor environmental quality.

"Athens' First Port"

Another fundamental attribute incorporated into SNFCC is the sea, which has played an important role in Greece's history and culture. To draw in the sea's sense of light, limitless opportunity, and exploration, a canal will run parallel to the existing Espalanade. Within the border of SNFCC, the canal will provide visitors a place for family gatherings, activity, and relaxation, while also fulfilling a need for flood-protection.

"We were extremely honored by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation's invitation to play a role in such a generous gift to Greece," noted Renzo Piano. "The Cultural Center's proximity to water, and the natural warm breezes and light of Athens were particularly inspiring during the design process. It was immediately clear that we must take advantage of all these elements to ultimately design a zero emissions building that expresses movement and energy."

SNFCC is expected to open in 2015 and its construction will be funded exclusively by SNF with an approximate budget of 450 million Euros, pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding executed with the Greek State. Once completed, the project will be turned over to the Greek State. The site is approximately 187,800 square meters.

About Renzo Piano and RPBW

(www.rpbw.com)

Renzo Piano was born in Genoa, Italy, in 1937, into a family of builders. He has maintained strong sentimental and cultural ties with his hometown. Genoa's historic center, its port and its connection to the sea, and his father's trade activities deeply influenced the young architect's perspective. During his studies at the Milan Polytechnic, Renzo Piano worked at Franco Albini's workshop. He graduated from the University in 1964 and began working with experimental lightweight structures and basic shelters.

Between 1965 and 1970, Piano traveled extensively to the United States and the United Kingdom. In 1971, he founded "Piano & Rogers" jointly with Richard Rogers, and together they won the competition for the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, where Piano currently lives. From the early 1970s until the 1990s, he collaborated with engineer Peter Rice and established "Atelier Piano & Rice" in 1977.

In 1981, Piano founded the "Renzo Piano Building Workshop" (www.rpbw.com), employing a hundred people with offices in Paris, Genoa, and New York.

Piano's projects include, among many others, the Cultural Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris; the regeneration of Genoa's old port; the redevelopment of Potsdamer Platz in Berlin; the Kansai International Airport Terminal in Osaka; the Beyeler Foundation Museum in Basel; the Centre Paul Klee in Bern. His most recent projects, including the New York Times' newly-established headquarters in New York City (2008) and the California Academy of Sciences' sustainability-oriented compound (2008), are indisputable proof that Piano's art matures, but his gaze remains adolescent and uncompromising. Renzo Piano's many awards include the Pritzker Architecture Prize (1998); the Medaille d'Or by the International Union of Architects (2002); and the Gold Medal by the American Institute of Architects (2008).

About The Stavros Niarchos Foundation

(www.SNF.org)

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation, an international philanthropic organization, underwrites charitable activities in four primary areas: education, social welfare, health and medicine, and arts and culture. The Foundation supports selective programs and makes grants to non-profit organizations throughout the world, many of which promote, maintain, and preserve Greek heritage and culture. Since its inception in 1996, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation has provided total grant commitments of $US 361,254,582 to more than 1,500 non-profit organizations in Greece and abroad, in more than 86 nations around the world.

The Foundation is administered by a Board of Directors composed of: Philip Niarchos, Spyros Niarchos, Andreas Dracopoulos - Co-Presidents and members of the Board, as well as Donald Harrison, Kurt Arnold, and Jeffrey K. Brinck. In Greece, an Advisory Committee researches and recommends to the Foundation's Board various nonprofit organizations and projects for funding. Its Chairman Emeritus is Constantine Dracopoulos. The Advisory Committee is comprised of George Agouridis - Chairman , Costas Iordanidis, Panagiotis Koulouvaris, Adonis Kyrou, Anna Pouskouri-Reiche, Protopresbyter Thomas Synodinos, Eleni Triantafyllides, Eftychios Voridis. and Yerassimos Yannopoulos.

Epaminondas N. Farmakis is the Chief Operating Officer and Secretary to the Greek Advisory Committee.

Additional information on the Stavros Niarchos Cultural Center, the Foundation and all projects, may be found at www.SNF.org/SNFCC and www.SNF.org

Note to Editors:

A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA Photowire. It can be downloaded from http://www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or viewed at http://www.mediapoint.press.net or http://www.prnewswire.co.uk.

[systema magicum]

the stavros niarchos foundation cultural center, greece by renzo piano
http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat...nzo-piano.html

renzo piano recently released plans of his latest project the stavros niarchos foundation
cultural center (SNFCC). the center will be located at the faliron delta area in athens, greece
and will include the latest in environmentally progressive, state-of-the-art facilities.

in keeping with SNF's and renzo piano's mission to create an emissions
neutral facility,
the project has been conceptualized with the highest
standards of environmental sustainability.
a pivotal design element of the SNFCC is the roof which form a series of interconnected
photovoltaic cell panels which will taking advantage of the pure 'green' solar and wind energy.
the sea has been incorporated into the design as a canal will run parallel to the existing esplanade
within the border of the building the canal will provide visitors a place for family gatherings,
activity, and relaxation, while also fulfilling a need for flood-protection.

'the cultural center's proximity to water, and the
natural warm breezes and light of athens
were particularly inspiring
during the design process. it was immediately clear that we must
take advantage of all these elements to ultimately design a zero
emissions building that expresses
movement and energy.' - renzo piano
the SNFCC is expected to cost approximately 580 million USD and is scheduled to open in 2015.

[gm2263]

The more the time lapses, the more I become a profound supporter of this project!!!

[SilentStrike]

interesting. Renzo

[socrates#1fan]

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't this a civic structure?
Now, these styles are not appropriate for civic structures.
A civic structure is a structure that demands lasting and must be timeless.
What is so timeless about this?
I see nothing monumental or amazing about this. If this was a museum or even a private structure it would not be important what style it was done in, but this is a civic structure and shouldn't they be constructed in a timeless fashion? Especially in Athens?

[somataki]

Originally Posted by socrates#1fan

What is so timeless about this?

It is nature. It is a green hill. A real one. Ultra modern inside, but outside a paradise green hill with mediterranean and greek nature. Something that Athens really needs.

[systema magicum]

Concept Design
Renzo Piano Building Workshop
SNFCC
Athens, Greece

The concept design for the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), housing the National Library of Greece and the Greek National Opera, both set within the Stavros Niarchos Park, was recently revealed.
See the presentation from arcspace here:
http://www.*************/architects/p...fcc/snfcc.html

[systema magicum]

Latest Piano designs revealed
http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com...pload_id=11041

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Athens, Greece


Italian architect takes his talents to Greece

Pritzker Prize winning Renzo Piano has revealed his designs for the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens, set to be a new icon for the ancient city. Housing the National Library of Greece and the Greek National Opera, both set within the Stavros Niarchos Park, the 187,800 sq m SNFCC is the first public-private endeavour of its kind with the Greek State.

Commenting on the significance of SNFCC, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis stated that, “this Center is a milestone for our country. The design is truly astonishing. In a wonderful manner, it combines high aesthetics with functionality and consideration for the environment. I am certain that its impact will extend beyond our national boundaries.”

In keeping with SNF’s and RPBW’s mission to create an emissions neutral facility, the project has been conceptualised with the highest standards of environmental sustainability. A pivotal design element that will play a significant role in helping achieve this aggressive standard can be seen in Piano and his Building Workshop’s innovative roof– a series of interconnected photovoltaic cell panels which will cover the structure’s needs, taking advantage of the pure “green” solar and wind energy. SNFCC is also expected to receive LEED certification.

“We were extremely honoured by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation’s invitation to play a role in such a generous gift to Greece,” noted Renzo Piano. “The Cultural Center’s proximity to water, and the natural warm breezes and light of Athens were particularly inspiring during the design process. It was immediately clear that we must take advantage of all these elements to ultimately design a zero emissions building that expresses movement and energy.”

SNFCC is expected to open in 2015 and its construction will be funded exclusively by SNF, an International philanthropic organisation concentrating on education, social welfare, health and medicine, and arts and culture prjects. The design will be realised with an approximate budget of 450 million Euros, pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding executed with the Greek State. Once completed, the project will be turned over to the Greek State.

[systema magicum]

Renzo Piano’s Athens cultural centre images unveiled

9 February, 2009

By Anna Winston

The first images of Renzo Piano’s design for the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre in Athens have been unveiled.

The €450 million (£400 million) scheme will house the National Library of Greece, the national opera, and educational and cultural facilities. Completion is scheduled for 2015.

A roof made entirely of interconnected photovoltaic cells will provide the building’s energy needs, helping the building towards its target of zero carbon emissions.

A canal will connect the 188,000sq m site to the sea, providing flood protection for the scheme.

“The centre’s proximity to water, and the warm breezes and light of Athens were particularly inspiring during the design process,” said Renzo Piano.

“It was immediately clear that we must take advantage of all these elements to design a building with zero emissions that expresses movement and energy.”
http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?...000000018f6d16

[systema magicum]

Renzo Piano Designs Massive Cultural Facility
Slated for completion in 2015, the project comes with an approximate price tag of nearly $600 million.
by Nicholas Tamarin -- Interior Design, 2/13/2009

http://www.interiordesign.net/article/CA6636944.html

Greeks are famous for tragedies, but certainly no tears will be shed over Renzo Piano Building Workshop's impressive plans for the Stravros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, a 2-million-square-foot-plus building and park that will house the National Library of Greece and the Greek National Opera.

Funded by the eponymous foundation of the late Greek shipping magnate, the center will be located on the sea in the Faliron Delta area of Athens. RPBW's design calls for a canal to run parallel to the site's existing esplanade, providing both flood protection and a scenic backdrop for an outdoor gathering space.

The center’s roof will be covered in a series of interconnected photovoltaic cell panels that harvest solar and wind energy, a move that is expected to help make the facility emissions-neutral, and contribute toward LEED certification. Once completed in 2015, at an approximate price tag of nearly $600 million, the center will be turned over to the Greek state.

"The Cultural Center's proximity to water, and the natural warm breezes and light of Athens were particularly inspiring during the design process," says Renzo Piano. "It was immediately clear that we must take advantage of all these elements to ultimately design a zero-emissions building that expresses movement and energy."
But before the Athens groundbreaking, Piano has an opening to attend on these shores: the May 16 debut of his design of the Art Institute of Chicago's new modern wing, the largest addition in the institution's history.

[systema magicum]

Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Renzo Goes to Athens
Richard Lacayo

http://lookingaround.blogs.time.com/...oes-to-athens/

A few weeks ago I stopped by the New York outpost of Renzo Piano — his main office is in Genoa — to talk with him about the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, another one of his multitude of commissions. When it's finished — the scheduled completion date is 2015 — the Center will provide a home for both the National Library of Greece and the Greek National Opera on a site near the water's edge in Athens.

Anybody who's been paying attention knows about the Classical strain in Renzo's work, which was evident as far back as the Menil Collection in Houston in the 1980s. So it was probably inevitable he would find himself attracted to a commission in Greece. Right now Piano's design for the Center is at the concept stage, but sufficiently developed to talk about and also to make it obvious that this could get interesting. The basic design idiom for the building is what I've come to think of as Piano's Techno-Classicism, spare geometries, carefully interlocked planes and volumes with an emphasis where possible on transparency, slender walls and a lot of green design elements. At his California Academy of Science, which opened last fall in San Francisco, Piano embedded his Classical impulses into a Romantic framework by putting an undulating green roof on top of his building — a park above a temple. I thought of it as Capability Brown meets Robert Adam.

With the Niarchos Foundation he seems to be aiming for an even more intricate immersion of the building into its 42-acre site. The plan is to use landfill to create a long, landscaped slope that will function as a park. The slope will join up with the building not at its main plaza level but at its diagonal lower roof line. From some angles the glass-walled cultural center will appear to be embedded within its own sloping greenery. Above that lower roof, an upper level canopy roof made of photo-voltaic cells will generate energy, which Piano hopes will make possible a building with zero carbon emissions.

At its uppermost reaches the slope will offer views of the Acropolis in one direction and the Aegean in the other. "The name of this neighborhood is 'Kallithea'," Piano explained. "It means 'beautiful view'. But unfortunately they lost their view of the sea a long time ago." One key intention behind his upward sloping design is to restore that view.

I don't know whether it played any role in Piano's thinking, but this idea of a building embedded in its site put me in mind of those parts of the Acropolis that seem to emerge from the stone, especially the Propylaea. (And for that matter, it also made me think of Anasazi Indian cliff dwellings in New Mexico and a house that the late Jan Kaplicky did on the coast of Wales.) But where else was it I had seen a diagonal roof interacting with its sloping site? Then I remembered.

[the daydreamer]

Some new renders taken directly from Renzo Piano's website (thanks to systema magicum for the news):









The park around the National Library and National Opera:


Comparison of Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center future park with the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris:


Construction concept for the energy canopy:

[ELLIN]

Finally the official site of the project....timetables, news, construction works....
http://www.snf.org/snfcc/EN/default.php


I really believe that after Acropolis monuments, Athensw ill have soon a second landmark.....
afterall New Acropolis Museum it is a landmark itself but most to promote the first one....

[Peloso]

Great! Wonderful! Congratulations to Athens and to Renzo Piano too. Looking forward to see the project realized. Wish it was earlier than 2015...