SNFCC Athens Building News, Architectural Project in Greece, RPBW Greek Design Image

SNFCC Athens : Architecture

Development design by Renzo Piano Building Workshop in Greece

5 Jan 2016

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center SNFCC Athens Building – news update

15 Sep 2013

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens

Design: Renzo Piano Building Workshop ; Georgio Bianchi, Partner in Charge

picture : RPBW

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center contains the National Library of Greece and the Greek National Opera, both set within the Stavros Niarchos Park.

picture : RPBW

The SNFCC, the first public-private endeavor of its kind within the Greek State, will create a new urban icon to enable both Greek citizens and global visitors to experience art, education and green space.

picture : RPBW

In its creation of the SNFCC and its collaboration with Renzo Piano, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation was inspired by its strong ties to Greece, its enduring mission of enriching the lives of citizens from around the world, and its commitment to preserving the natural environment.

picture : RPBW

image : RPBW

Georgio Bianchi, Partner in Charge on the SNFCC for Renzo Piano Building Workshop:

photo : RPBW

26 Mar 2009

SNFCC Athens

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center

Design: Renzo Piano Building Workshop

On 23 Mar 2009 the contract agreement for the SNFCC was signed with the Government and involved parties.

Specifically, by the legal representatives of the:

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY AND FINANCE
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT

As well as the:

GREEK NATIONAL OPERA
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF GREECE
HELLENIC PUBLIC REAL ESTATE CORPORATION
OLYMPIC PROPERTIES S.A.

Renzo Piano : Environmentally Progressive Concept Design for Athen’s Modern Urban Icon, The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC)

Renzo Piano’s conceptual sketch

Master plan model concept

East Elevation

Section – Library

Section – Opera

Section – Library, close up

Ground floor plan

Master plan model

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC)

The Board of Directors of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) and the Renzo Piano Building Workshop, a world-renowned architectural firm, revealed the concept design on January 24th, 2009 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.

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 chance for family gatherings, activity, and relaxation, also playing the role of levee.

“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. A final agreement with the Greek Government describing the work was signed commencing the project. Once completed, the project will be turned over to the Greek State. The site is approximately 187,800 square meters.

Athens Buildings

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation

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, Ádonis Kyrou, Ánna Pouskouri-Reiche, Protopresbyter Thomas Synodinos, Åleni Triantafyllides, Åftychios Voridis and Yerassimos Yannopoulos.

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center Design images from SNF 260309

SNFCC Athens Building design : Renzo Piano of Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW)

Location: Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Athens, Greece