CONTRACT FOR THE FINAL DESIGN OF THE MUSEUM SIGNED

Greece moved a significant step forward today towards the completion of the New Acropolis Museum with the signing of the Contract for the final designs for the Museum.

In the presence of the Greek Minister for Culture, the Honorable Evangelos Venizelos, the contract for the architectural, structural and electromechanical design of the New Acropolis Museum was signed by the President of the Organisation for the Construction of the New Acropolis Museum, Professor Dimitrios Pandermalis, and the award winning architects Bernard Tschumi (Bernard Tschumi Architects, New York) and Michael Phoitiadis (Architectural Cooperation, Athens) and engineering firms A.D.K. Consulting Engineers, Geostatics Consulting Engineers and MMB design Group. The contract foresees the completion of the final designs 220 calender days from today's signing, non-inclusive of the time required for the standard approvals and permits required by the State.

The organisation responsible for the construction of the New Acropolis Museum has determined that the so-called fast track method of construction be adopted for this major public project, hence requiring the successful designers to deliver the final study and plan for the laying of the Museum foundations by March 2002. Construction is expected to commence in late Spring of this year.

Minister Evangelos Venizelos underlined the significance of the museum being ready to receive Olympic visitors by 2004. He stressed that the over 3000 square metre Parthenon Hall will stand waiting for the return of the Parthenon Marbles from Britain so that they can be reconstituted with those unique sculptures of the Parthenon frieze, metopes and pediments currently held in Athens.

Professor Dimitrios Pandermalis stated that: The New Acropolis Museum will form an architectural and cultural landmark, not only for Greece but for the world. It will provide and environment that is in accord with the beauty and classical simplicity of its exhibits while ensuring a museological and architectural experience that is relevant today and in the foreseeable future.

The New York based architect Bernard Tschumi's long and distinguished experience in glass construction is reflected in the culmination of his winning New Acropolis Museum design - namely the transparent glass hall that will house the materpieces from the Parthenon, enabling visitors to simultaneously view both the masterpieces in the Parthenon Hall and the monument from which they came.

For further information, please contact Professor Dimitrios Pandermalis, President, The Organisation for the Construction of the New Acropolis Museum on Athens 924 1043 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..