Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center.
I was waiting for the past weekend many years now! The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) finally opened to the public for a four-day free admission event of cultural performances.
Renzo Piano
The Architect that designed the SNFCC, is the Pritzker Prize winner Renzo Piano. He is well-known worldwide because he was one of the Architects that designed the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris. Amongst his many notable projects, are also the New York Times Building and the Shard in London.
The multifunctional and environmentally sustainable complex was built to house:
- the new facilities of the National Library of Greece
- the National Opera House
- and a 210,000 square meters Mediterranean Garden. The Mediterranean Garden includes pines, olive trees and fragrant herbs and flowers such as oregano, thyme, lavender, etc.
Upon my arrival in this beautiful, vital green space, I was awed by this magnificent project! The whole place was crowded but I enjoyed snapping photos. The scenery was –literally by any corner- picturesque.
At the top of the artificial slope, the panoramic view is breathtaking! It faces directly the Acropolis, the Lycabettus Hill, the sea and the entire city.
The bioclimatic roof
The bioclimatic roof of 10,000 square meters, coats the top of the Opera. It includes 5,600 photovoltaic elements that partly cover the electricity needs of the Center. The SNFCC aims to earn the platinum “green” building LEED certification. The first, for a project of this scale, in Europe.
I believe that this project will completely change the life of the locals. Not only because it will host the new Library and the new Opera House of Greece. But also because it is a prime example of bioclimatic and environmental design combining technical excellence with divine architecture.
A must visit 🙂
Until next time ♥
