EPIKYKLOS supported the construction of the Athens Museum in Plaka, at 10 Kekropos Street, in the historical center of Athens.
CONSTRUCTION IN ATRIUM
Benaki Museum [ο]
Client:
DOMa.Archi
Completion:
July 14, 2020
Project Type:
Construction in the Benaki Museum Atrium, 1520 sq.m.
Architects:
Nikos Soulis
As an official creative partner of the independent organization of DOMa contemporary architecture organization (which is the continuation of STRUCTURES), EPIKYKLOS supervised the construction in the atrium of the Benaki Museum of Piraeus which served as the setting for Greek Architecture Awards ceremony held on July 14, 2020.
The purpose of the construction was for it to be able to be reused in a second DOMa architecture lecture event which will take place at the end of September 2020.
The design aimed to create a closed and semi-transparent environment within the atrium to internally mark the speech space, while leaving free spaces externally for supporting uses and visitor movement. The approach was centered on the concept of a visual ‘de-escalation’ of the high atrium of the museum by creating a more intimate space, which would at the same time highlight not only the semi-permeable elements it is composed of but also the perfectly designed space that accommodates it. This was achieved with the use of 60 2.5m high metal grids in a 22m diameter circular arrangement, raised 40cm off the ground to provide a sense of levitation and maintain the continuity of the floor, joining the temporary with the existing space. The semi-circular stage and the concentric arrangement of the rows of seats were realized with reference to the auditorium. The 20 pillars of the structure were designed in such a way that they support the perimeter ring and the circular – also floating – tables attached to them, easily aligning the structure despite the strong floor drafts.
The construction logic was developed bearing the quick and easy assembly and disassembly in mind (15 hours & 6 respectively) and the limited storage space necessary until its reuse (total volume of elements 1 m3).
