The National Archaeological Museum of Athens Chose David Chipperfield Architects for the Museum’s Expansion

David Chipperfield Architects Berlin’s proposal to expand the National Archaeological Museum in Athens was chosen from a shortlist of ten nominees after an international competition by a unanimous vote of the International Assessment Committee. The plan calls for an extension of the foundation of the existing neo-classical building, a move that will yield two levels of underground exhibitions and a raised roof garden while still honoring the museum’s historical status.

The studio said, “The National Archaeological Museum of Athens will be refurbished to match today’s standards of excellence, openness, and sustainability through remodeling and expanding.”

 The National Archaeological Museum

The National Archaeological Museum was founded in a building erected by Ludwig Lange and Ernst Ziller between 1866 and 1874. Many developments have been added to the neoclassical framework over time. The winning plan by David Chipperfield Architects Berlin involves extending the existing building to the street and adding two stories of underground galleries, creating 20,000 m2 of additional space and a lush greenery park on the roof available to the public.

The new proposal provides a harmonic ensemble of rooms, establishing stability between old and modern while still paying homage to the building’s historical significance and topography. The new wing will feature the national archaeological museum’s primary public services, including a ticket office, gift shop, restaurant, theatre, and both fixed and occasional exhibition spaces, as well as a new façade that is transparent to the surrounding city.

The plan consists of a succession of scattered solid pieces that form a dynamic pattern of spaces that lead visitors toward the historic structure while providing oblique glimpses into the galleries. When paired with the play of light and shadow, the rammed-earth walls of the expansion give the impression of underground tunnels, providing unique settings for displaying artifacts and sculptures that starkly contrast with the more traditional display areas.

“Visitors enter the museum and proceed down two levels of uninterrupted, freely flowing exhibition space before reaching the current structure. A modern architectural style of clean volumes, diagonal views, and rammed-earth walls contrasts with the historical settings.” The studio commented.

Inspired by the ancient Greek concept of a public gathering location for all inhabitants, the national archaeological museum’s garden is a tranquil, green public space high above the bustling city. Wirtz International’s landscaping features a mix of cobblestone areas and pathways, grasslands, clusters of Umbrella and Aleppo pines, evergreen Holm oaks, and bushes, all in style reminiscent of nineteenth-century parks.

An underground, protected inner courtyard can be found at the building’s heart, accessible from all sides. To further integrate the old and the modern and to create a clearly defined gathering space, the existing building’s majestic entrance stairway has been extended into the courtyard.

“Our architectural initiative has been to create a plinth growing out of the current structure, hence profoundly related to the 19th-century architecture,” Sir David Chipperfield said of the national archaeological museum’s expansion project. “However, over time, that grows into an impressive structure. Of course, the difficulty is in striking a balance between the two.”

The national archaeological museum’s renovation is a collaboration between David Chipperfield Architects and Tombazis and Associates Architects of Athens. While the exhibition design is a product of a partnership between David Chipperfield Architects and Studio Brückner of Stuttgart. At the same time, ironically, protesters gathered to voice their disapproval of government intentions to remove this and other Greek museums’ status from civil service inspection, a move they think could pave the way for privatizing.