Program: Museum, Public Square, Sport Facilies

Project Title: Δίνες Αθήνας, Dines Athens

Period:  2022-2023

Type:  Open International Competition

Location: Plato’s Academy, Athens, GR

Owner:  Athens Anaplasis, GR Gov

Architectural Team:  John Kanakas, Marilena Petalidou, Nikos Empeoglou

Architectural Consultants:  Kostas Christopoulos, Kostis Kallipolitis

Urban Planners:  Nikiforos Mpalatsinos, Niki Vasilopoulou

Structural Engineer:  Konstantinos Tsionis

Electircal/Mechanical Engineer:  Georgios Katsamberis

Transportation Consultant: Ioannis Kouyiannos

Archeologist:  Emmanouil Petrakis

Museologist:  Argyro Batsi

The competition entry proposal for the New Archeological Museum at Plato’s Academy, aimed to create a world class sustainable museum hub, that would attract visitors from all over the world in order to allow them explore and learn about the Greek history, while appreciating first hand rare ancient foundings, that have been safely preserved through the centuries. The proposal constitutes a manifesto of landform architecture within an urban green context, as we believe that architecture needs to emerge and respect its local environment, and this was a catalytic parameter for the design strategy. The suggestd building, is following basic sustainability principles, while creating a new green route by reshaping the existing site’s landscape. As the main goal of the proposal is the promotion of the museum and the overall park at Plato’s Academy, into a pole of attraction of international scope, the dynamism of the architectural language in combination with the grounded green approach with respect to its local green environment, is a well thought match for a timeless and yet contemporary piece of architecture, while in the same time upgrading the wider neighborhood. The overall programs of the museum hub would include multiple open space as well as closed galleries, a wide atrium with a prestigious hallway and service areas, a museum shop, offices, a restaurant and a cafe, as well an internal and an external amphitheater amongst other BOH facilities. The overall scope also included the redevelopment of the surrounding area, including an open air sculpture park, sport facilities, public spaces and external open air galleries and ladscaping. A large parking underground level as well as a VIP drop off, would allow visitors to arrive with their own vehicles.