Athens, the Old Acropolis Museum. Rediscovering Traces of the Ancient.

The project proposal stems from the observation of the disorganized state of the Acropolis, which contrasts with its historicity and grandeur. The goal is to restore part of its ancient splendor by creating an architectural dialogue between the ancient heritage and the modern context. The project aims to reorganize the Acropolis, preserving its historical identity and transforming the current disorder into a coherent and respectful expression of its rich history, harmoniously uniting past and present.

The Acropolis of Athens, undergoing extensive restorations, features prefabricated structures that disrupt the harmony of the monuments. The area, protected by UNESCO regulations, restricts interventions that could compromise its historical integrity. The project for the Acropolis of Athens focuses on the southeastern area, with particular attention to the Old Museum, currently disused, and the valuable archaeological traces beneath it. The intervention aims to establish a dialogue between the ancient and the contemporary, restoring fundamental architectural elements such as the sanctuary of Pandion and the trace of the Mycenaean walls, previously hidden by the museum's expansion. The partial recovery of the museum building involves preserving its original envelope and introducing subtle modifications to the façades, maintaining the stone and revealing the pre-existing character. An innovative terrace, shaped to follow the inclination of the sanctuary's remains, will offer an integrated view of the site. The project also includes a subterranean level for direct exploration of the Mycenaean relics, in connection with the Attalos monument. The creation of a new square in front of the museum, with geometric paving, will improve access and enhance the building's visibility. The exhibition pathway, characterized by cells in Pentelic marble, will be enriched by diverse material solutions, such as stone for the archaeologists' spaces and earth for the cells. A subterranean path will lead to the Parthenon's stylobate, with flooring that emphasizes the archaeological nature of the space. Finally, the project foresees a reorganization of the plateau through terracing, enhancing the site's usability while restoring the historical integrity of the context.