Revitalizing Cycladic Legacy: A Modern Take on Museum Cafes

Stelios Kois and Nikos Patsiaouras Transform Museum of Cycladic Art into an Urban Icon

The Museum of Cycladic Art, one of Athens' most significant cultural landmarks, is known for its extensive collection of Cycladic artifacts. Stelios Kois and Nikos Patsiaouras aimed to enhance its appeal by transforming its cafe into an urban icon. The architects sought to increase the museum's permeability, allowing visitors to transition seamlessly from the bustling streets of Athens to the tranquil interiors of the museum.

The cafe's unique design features a light-flooded atrium, which is complemented by a sophisticated shading device. This shader, composed of thin, deep, linear hollow aluminum rectangular profiles, forms a rectilinear pattern that diffuses light in a unique way. The result is a space that is both luminous and protected from solar glare and radiation.

The materials used in the design - white aluminium shaders, Parian marble, Greek walnut, steel, and glass - reflect the architects' commitment to using local resources. The canopy, a key feature of the design, was manufactured by Doriki Techniki, a Greek company known for its expertise in architectural structures.

The cafe, with a residential area of about 120m2, becomes the destination of the route, an oasis of light and vegetation in the interior of a building block. The facade of the museum is open during operating hours, allowing the interior to act as an extension of the street, and closed when the museum is not in operation. This periodic movement introduces different degrees of access and permeability, creating an urban event that adds to the city's dynamism.

The project, which started in April 2014 and was completed in December 2014, was a collaborative effort. The design team included Marielina Stavrou, Konstantinos Karanasos, Antriana Voutsina, and Alexandros Economou. Other contributors included Doxiadis + for plantscaping and Eleftheria Deko for lighting design. The project's success is a testament to the power of collaboration and the shared vision of creating a space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

In conclusion, the transformation of the Museum of Cycladic Art's cafe by Stelios Kois and Nikos Patsiaouras is a remarkable example of how design can enhance the appeal of cultural institutions. The project, which won the Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2018, showcases the architects' innovative approach to design and their commitment to preserving and promoting cultural heritage.