The proposal of the architectural offices David Chipperfield Architects and Alexandrou N. Tombazi SA. for the creation of the New National Archaeological Museum in Athens chosen by the International Evaluation Committee – established by the Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoniin April 2022- after a thorough and thorough examination of the proposals submitted.
The selected proposal, according to the press release sent to us by the Ministry of Culture, gathers the elements of the inventive relationship between the old and the new building, the quality of the spatial experience, the sensitivity to programmatic and museological-museographical challenges, the urban integration in the fabric of the city and the pioneer in solving issues of sustainability and environmental planning. The process of drawing up an architectural draft study, entitled “Upgrading, underground extension and connection with the Akros Acropolis of the National Archaeological Museum…” has been approved by a decision of the Minister of Culture and Sports (no. 558074/17.11.2021-Government B΄ 5352).
THE controversial architectural competition
However, it is surprising that only one photo of the project is attached to the press release, which does not particularly help to understand what the New Archaeological Museum will look like. However, in the announcement of the YPPOA we read that the presentation of the proposal of the Chipperfield-Tombazi offices will be made, within the next month, by the architects in the presence of the Prime Minister. So waiting.
However, it is worth commenting that in corresponding cases of emblematic projects (such as the New Acropolis Museum) complete models of the projects were exhibited, as well as photographs of the proposals of the leading architectural offices, so that everyone has knowledge of what was rejected by the Committee and what finally prevailed.
We remind you that the specific competition was “a closed competition process with ten architectural offices participating exclusively from abroad”. For this reason, the Association of Architects and the Panhellenic Union of Architects (SADAS – PEA) have reacted strongly – it has even resorted to the Council of State – and the Association of Hellenic Archaeologists (SEA) stating that “under the guise of alleged donations or sponsorships, open tenders are bypassed, they are ignored and eventually abandoned. The essence of architectural competitions is that the study is not assigned to the best-known or most famous architect, but to the best of the architectural proposals for the specific project. With the trick of sponsorships, the public space is essentially assigned to the wishes of private individuals who choose the researcher of the project based on purely personal and self-interested criteria.”
The preparation of the present study of the architectural draft was the object of a donation to the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the AMKE “NSL Family” of the Nikolaos and Irini Laimos family. This donation according to the two associations was used as a “pretext” “donation contract” by the AMKE of the N.S. Family. Laimou, “without even being made public, is presented as a “legitimizing basis” by the Minister of Culture. The relevant Ministerial Decision defines from the outset a closed tender process, with participants of 10 architectural offices exclusively from abroad. The participation of Greek architects is also foreseen, but only as relegated to simple “partners” of foreign offices”.
Lina Mendoni’s statement about the new EAM
After being informed by the President of the International Evaluation Committee, Andreas Kourkoulas, Lina Mendoni said: “The proposal by the offices of David Chipperfield and Alexandrou N. Topazis embodies the vision, creates a unique landmark in the urban fabric, is human-centered. It highlights the national dimension of the National Archaeological Museum, which it connects with the world becoming. I point out that all the submitted proposals are distinguished by high quality, aesthetics and vision, while they fully meet the specifications we set. I thank all those who participated, Greek and foreign architects. We want an extroverted Museum, in constant dialogue with society, with a dynamic eye towards the future. The expansion of the National Archaeological Museum contributes substantially to the regeneration of the wider area of the historical center of Athens.
This is one of the emblematic projects that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has included in the government’s program statements and for which he has a strong personal interest. Special thanks to the members of the International Evaluation Committee for the excellent quality of their work. I thank Nikolas and Irini Laimou, as the first stage of the project was completed thanks to their kind donation. I thank the staff of the Ministry of the Interior, members of the Committee for Monitoring the Development of the Donation Project, for supporting the entire project. The presentation of the proposal of the Chipperfield-Tombazi offices will be made, within the next month, by the architects in the presence of the Prime Minister”.
A few words about architectural offices
David Chipperfield is an internationally acclaimed and award-winning architect. His architectural office has proven extensive experience in the architectural design of museum spaces internationally, including the Neues Museum in Berlin, The Hepworth in the United Kingdom, the Museo Jumex in Mexico. The architectural study office of Alexandros N. Tombazi SA. is a recognized and award-winning office with experience in large projects.
According to the established procedure, following a relevant invitation from the Evaluation Committee, drafts were submitted by ten architectural offices abroad in cooperation, respectively, with ten Greek architectural offices.
Are the following:
- David Chipperfield Architects and Alexandrou N. Tombazi Study Office S.A.
- SANAA (Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa) and Buerger Katsota Architects
- Herzog and de Meuron and AETER Architects
- Diller Scofidio + Renfro and VAP Architects and Neiheiser Argyros
- Adjaye Associates and Kizi Studio
- OMA and Sakellaridou/Papanikolaou Architects
- Atelier Jean Nouvel and George Batzios Architects
- Kengo Kuma and Associates and K-studio
- Thomas Phifer and Tsolakis Architects and Kalliopi Kontozoglou
- RCR Arquitectes and Parmenidis- Longuepee- Mari
The International Evaluation Committee -in alphabetical order- consists of the following members:
- Gerasimos Yiannopoulos, Lawyer
- George Deodatis, Civil Engineer, Professor at Columbia University
- Pierre B. Ducrey, Archaeologist, Professor, former Rector of the University of Lausanne
- Louis Godart, Archaeologist, Emeritus Professor of Aegean Cultures of the University of Naples Federico II, Advisor for the artistic heritage of the Presidents of the Italian Republic CA Ciampi and G. Napolitano.
- ·Christopher Hudson, Art Historian and publisher of Lowgill Publishing, President of the Motovun Group of International Publishers (MGIP)
- Andreas Kourkoulas, Architect, Professor at the School of Architecture of the E.M.P.
- Meejin Yoon, Architect, Dean of Cornell University College of Architecture, Art and Planning. Founder of Design Across Scales Lab.
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Tags: build National Archaeological Museum Athens winners controversial architectural competition
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