The New Acropolis Museum by Tschumi

The New Acropolis Museum

The New Acropolis Museum originally uploaded by RobW

The New Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece designed by Bernard Tschumi Architects with Michael Photiadis of Athens as local associate architect was opened this June 2009. It is located on the southeastern slope of the Acropolis Hill, at the entrance of a network of pedestrian walkways that link the key archaeological sites and monuments of the Acropolis. The New Acropolis showcases and protects the sculptures of the Acropolis and what remains in Greece of the Parthenon frieze from the pollution of the open air. It also aids in convincing the British government to return the Athenian artworks to their place of origin.

New Acropolis Museum

The New Acropolis Museum originally uploaded by RobW

There were three concepts for the generation of the museum; the concept of light, movement and a tectonic and programmatic concept. The concept of light comes from the conditions within which the museum is placed; and the importance light plays in showcasing the sculptural objects. The second concept of movement is seen in the three-dimensional loop circulation through the museum. The collection is installed in a chronological sequence. Beginning with the archaeological excavations, visible through the glass floor in the entrance gallery, the Parthenon Gallery at the top of the building against dramatic views of the Acropolis, and then loops down to finish in the Roman Empire galleries below. A tectonic and programmatic concept was a driving factor in the architectural promenade and enclosure of the museum. The museum’s façade of black fritted glass provides ideal light for the sculptures. The Parthenon Gallery’s glass outer walls allow 360-degrees of uninterrupted views of the ancient temple and its surrounding city; with direct view to and from the Acropolis. The Parthenon Marbles are visible from the Acropolis above.

New Acropolis Museum

The New Acropolis Museum originally uploaded by RobW

I really like this project. Why? Projects which find their place and grounding from the architectural archaeology of a site is always powerful to me; projects which pay attention to the genius loci of their sites. Firstly, Tschumi rotates the Parthenon Gallery 23 degrees from the rest of the building to align with the Parthenon. By doing this, he pays homage to the Parthenon. Two Architects who stick out in my mind for “grounding” their buildings are Richard Meier and Caribbean Architect, Colin Laird. The Atheneum and the Museum for Applied Arts in Frankfurt, Germany are just two examples. The National Library by Colin Laird in Trinidad &Tobago is another example of the proper grounding of projects (stayed tuned).

New Acropolis Museum

The New Acropolis Museum originally uploaded by RobW

Tschumi did not attempt to copy classical elements into his design. He paid homage to Greek culture and their legacy of architecture, philosophy, science, and mathematics in this museum. The sharp, clinical, sleek facade of the museum cast against the rich textures of the Acropolis is just wonderful. He does what I referred to in my previous blog post on The Interlace by OMA, there was a correct use of history in his design. Constraints present us with opportunities to innovative, and create solutions; this is one such case. The sheer history and power of the Acropolis can be intimidating, but Tschumi made it work, and created what I think is a winning design. What are your opinions of the New Acropolis Museum?

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