Benaki Museum Cultural Centre
Author: Anothertravelguide.com0 COMMENTS

The city of Athens is not the darling of contemporary architects; perhaps that's exactly one of the reasons why Athenians speak of the new extension of the Benaki Museum with such genuine pride. Like many other symbols of the new Athens, the Benaki Cultural Centre was unveiled in 2004, the year of the 2004 Olympic Games. It is located a couple of blocks from Gazi, in the district of Rouf - 138 Pireos Street. The 1960s building originally housed a car factory but the conversion project, its new image, was created by the architects Andreas Kourkoulas and Maria Kokkinou. The façade of the museum is made of red marble but the central element of the building is definitely its courtyard/atrium, used to host concerts and often as an art exhibition hall. On all sides it is enveloped by a "wall" of wood blinds that closes or opens automatically, depending on sunlight and the natural daylight. Unless you are taking the lift, the process of getting from one exhibition hall of the museum to another also offers a view of the courtyard. Unlike the main building of the museum, the Benaki Cultural Centre is entirely dedicated to Greek and international modern art. The ground floor of the building houses a café and a souvenir shop.
138 Pireos Street
www.benaki.gr