OMA & RS SPARCH envision spiraling galleries for athens’ national archaeological museum

the architects were inspired by the ancient greek work for evolution.

lea zeitoun March 27, 2023 4 min

OMA & rs sparch allude to ancient greek word for evolution

OMA has teamed up with Greek practice RS SPARCH to develop its vision for the expansion of Athens’ National Archaeological Museum (NAM). Other proposals by global firms include the winning design by David Chipperfield Architects and a floating garden-inspired entry by Kengo Kuma & K-Studio. An established landmark in Athens, NAM holds the world’s most extensive collection of Greek antiquities. The original Neoclassical building was constructed at the closing of the nineteenth century by German architects Ernst Ziller and Leopold Lange and is accompanied by a Neoclassical garden, reinforcing the historical museum’s symmetry and visual power amid the busy city.

Inspired by spiraling geometries, the proposal expands NAM to host a continuous gallery helix leading visitors to a central opening. ‘Our proposal for the museum’s extension plays with the concept of ἐξέλιξις (exélixis) – the Ancient Greek word describing the idea of evolution – in both its physical manifestation and its allegorical relationship to the existing monument. ἐξέλιξις stands for the museum’s dialogue with contemporary Athens, unfolding history and antiquity into a continuous gallery to create a new symbol for the 21st century,‘ shares the practice.

OMA & RS SPARCH envision spiraling galleries for athens' national archaeological museum - 1 — all images courtesy OMA | video © Loom on the Moon

The ‘Helix’ – a new entrance to NAM

The teams at OMA (see more here) and RS SPARCH (and here) envision carving the new galleries of NAM into the earth, creating a sculptural volume that spirals around a sunken garden; there nestles an ancient olive tree, evoking the spirit of ancient days. Dubbed the ‘Helix’, this classically shaped yet modern extension serves as a new entrance to the museum, echoing its existing Neoclassical aesthetic and visually uplifting its symmetry while upending its axial layout.

‘The act of arrival to the museum now becomes an experience, with the movement of queuing visitors facilitated by the gentle ramp. The Helix includes a new entrance foyer, an auditorium, the garden café, space for temporary exhibitions, and 4,600 square meters of gallery space for the expansion of the permanent collection,’ continues OMA.

OMA & RS SPARCH envision spiraling galleries for athens' national archaeological museum - 2 — the ‘Helix’ is a new entrance to the museum

The ‘SpinE’ – a new linear path

In addition to galleries, the architects propose the ‘Spine’ a new linear pathway accessed from the ‘Helix’ and slicing through the neoclassical building at its lower level. NAM’s central circulation thus consolidates into one legible and decongesting space along the symmetrical axis, creating a pleasant discovery experience for visitors. Utilizing the ‘concealed spaces’ beneath the museum, the ‘Spine’ completes the lower level of the 19th-century building, splicing together the four museum entities: the ‘Helix’ (new galleries), the Neoclassical building, the East Wing, and the Epigraphic Museum.