In Piraeus, the historic port of Athens, Renzo Piano, in collaboration with Betaplan Architects, has designed a cultural centre as a hub between art and everyday life, which serves as a reference point for an international network with other prestigious cultural centres and for vibrant community dynamics.
The project, financed entirely by private funds (Dinos and Lia Martinos Foundation), is currently under development and due for completion in 2028. It will house spaces for permanent contemporary art exhibitions, temporary exhibitions, events and educational activities, as well as civic spaces open to the public in a network of paths and green spaces that act as a filter between the centre and the surrounding metropolis.
The sober and essential volume exploits the design principles cherished by Renzo Piano and long established in his work (starting from the Beyeler Foundation), from the search for transparency that is both visual and semantic (thanks to the large windows that soften the built mass), to the fluid and flexible interiors, to the particular attention to natural light that enhances the scenic impact of the works on display without any conflict between the neutral architectural envelope and its contents.
As usual for RPBW, there is a strong commitment to environmental sustainability: approximately 62% of the area will be dedicated to public green spaces, designed in collaboration with landscape architect Camille Müller, which will serve to enhance the urban ecosystem and biodiversity, while low-energy consumption materials and high performance standards will reduce the environmental impact of the project.
