Marianna Lizardou

Project: Archaeological Museum 

Location: Nicosia, Cyprus

Area: 13.000 sq.m.

Design by Thomopoulos Architects & Associates

Dimitris Thomopoulos, Mina Roussou, Marianna Lizardou, Katerina Bali, Despoina Kyriakou, Chrysokona Mavrou, Panagiotis Tsogkas

 

Associates *

Architect: Ioannis Ventourakis (BETAPLAN S.A.)

Museologist: Dr. Marlen Mouliou (University of Athens)

Structural: Nikos Tzourovits (OMETE S.A.)

Mechanical: Dimitris Kirimlidis (LDK S.A.)

Landscape: Thomas Doxiadis, Terpsy Kremaly (doxiadis+)

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The design concept is to create a spatial experience simulating the discovery of antiquities into their natural terrain. A gradual descent within the ground corresponds to an ongoing archaeological excavation. The building is organized on the basis of a synthetic grid similar to the one that is used on the archaeological excavations. The New Museum’s goal is to host and conserve a large number of antiquities of which only a small part can be exhibited. In that way, Exhibition halls  are presented as an essential extension of the storage areas that surround them, making each section as “flesh of flesh” of the museum‘s depository.

The study area is situated between two major public green areas of Nicosia, the Pedieos River to the west and the Municipal Garden to the north. The extensive natural vegetation of protected zone of Pedieos River and the designed vegetation of Municipal Garden, inserts from the west and north into the public space of the New Museum and even into the building itself. The public space intersects building’s volume in a way squares and passes are being created. Main exhibition areas and store rooms placed underneath while at the same time the rest museum functions shape open public spaces. The building itself embodies the public space and is being transformed into a hybrid space.