The Board of Directors of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) and the Renzo Piano Building Workshop (www.rpbw.com), a world-renowned architectural firm, revealed the concept design on January 24th, 2009 for the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), housing the National Library of Greece and the Greek National Opera, both set within the Stavros Niarchos Park.
The SNFCC, the first public-private endeavor of its kind within the Greek State, will create a new urban icon to enable both Greek citizens and global visitors to experience art, education and green space. In its creation of the SNFCC and its collaboration with Renzo Piano, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation was inspired by its strong ties to Greece, its enduring mission of enriching the lives of citizens from around the world, and its commitment to preserving the natural environment.
The presentation of the concept design of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) by the architect Renzo Piano, was held on 24 January 2009, at the Zappeion Exhibition Hall and at the Athens Concert Hall (with the cooperation of Megaron Plus).
Introduction of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center’s brand identity The brand identity for the new Cultural Center was also introduced during the event, combining the colors blue, turquoise and green. Blue is the national color of Greece, signifying the national institutions housed within the SNFCC and the national importance of the Cultural Center. Turquoise is the color of the Greek Seas, signifying the Cultural Center’s proximity to the water as well as the significance of the Greek Seas to Athenian and Hellenic geography, history, and culture. Green is the color of vegetation, signifying the expansive new green space that will be created for the Athens as well the ambitious environmental goals of the projects.
Press Release
Speech by the Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis
Speech by Mr. Andreas Dracopoulos, Co-President & Member of the Board of Directors of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation
Press conference of Renzo Piano on the SNFCC at the Zappeion Exhibition Hall
