August 5, 2009
Not everyone likes the design of the New Acropolis museum
Whilst there have been many articles praising the design of the New Acropolis Museum, it is hardly surprising that some people have other views about the design of the building. The building was however the result of a number of competitions, so although some may dislike the design it is clear that many believed it was the best solution to the complex project brief. In many cases we might want a building to be somehow different, but there are always compromises to be made – trade offs between the building & its surroundings, openness & security etc.
From:
Archinect
Archinect Op-Ed: The Acropolis Museum; An Unhappy Fit
Jul 31, 2009
by Jan LepicovskyLast June, after three decades of competitions and debate, the Acropolis Museum in Athens opened to the public. It was designed by internationally re-known architect Bernard Tschumi, and it houses nearly 4000 ancient Greek artifacts, including the great stones of the parthenonʼs frieze. I first visited the Acropolis 15 years ago as an undergraduate student of architecture. Last month I had the opportunity to visit the site again, now with the eyes of an experienced architect. Hearing about the controversy surrounding the new museum, I was eager to see how one of the great theorists and idols from my student yeas responded to such a challenging, high-profile commission. My first glimpses of the building brought that familiar rush of excitement and anticipation, the kind you get at a concert just before the performer takes the stage. The simple geometric volumes, one rotated above the other, were familiar from pictures and, seeing it live, I could appreciate its powerful yet restrained presence. I walked the long way around to the front in order to take in the whole exterior. By the time I had made it around the block to the entrance, my initial excitement had faded and a different impression began to form.
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