Culture ministry unveils winning proposal for new national archaeological museum in Athens

Greece’s culture ministry on Monday announced the winning proposal for a new national archaeological museum in Athens, with the architectural practice of David Chipperfield Architects and Alexandros N. Tombazis & Associates selected by members of a ministry-appointed international committee.

The project also includes the renovation of the current National Archaeological Museum in central Athens, as well as an underground extension to the state-owned Acropole Palace building, a preserved modern monument and a prime example the art nouveau style in Greece. The latter lies across Patission Boulevard from the current museum.

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said all submitted proposals were characterized for their high quality, aesthetic value and vision, and all met criteria set out by the committee. “We want to have an extroverted museum, in constant dialogue with society, and with a dynamic focus towards the future,” she added.

A detailed presentation of the winning proposal will come next month at an event that is expected to be attended by Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The eight-member committee, which included Mendoni, was comprised of another three Greek nationals and four foreign experts, namely, archaeologists Pierre B. Ducrey and Louis Godart, historian and Lowgill Publishing chief Christopher Hudson, as well as architect Meejin Yoon.

Funding for the draft architectural plan was provided to the ministry by the Nikolas S. and Irini Lemos family.