“Τholos & Τheatron”

The client
The Foundation of Hellenic World is a private organization aiming at the preservation and dissemination of Hellenic history and tradition. The F.H.W addresses a wide audience through educational exhibitions, 3D and virtual reality representations of ancient Greek history and various other cultural productions.

Site Planning
The project is located in Pireos Avenue, the main street that connects Athens and Piraeus. The area is an industrial zone that is gradually being dominated by cultural, commercial and office developments. The School of Fine Arts is located right next to the F.H.W buildings, in a renovated factory.

Building program
The "Theatre" Building is the new addition to the "Hellenic World" cultural centre. Thus, the first stage of the "Hellenic World" development is completed, and consists of:

- The "Building no1", a renovated industrial building used as an exhibition and education space
- The "Dome", a 120 seat projection space for 3D and virtual reality productions
- The "Theatre"

 Concept

The spherical shape of the "Dome" acts as a landmark on Pireos Avenue, inviting the visitor to enter the building. Based on the site context (the rectangular building plot having its narrow side on Pireos Avenue), we opted for an introvert type of design, so that the visitor discovers the building gradually as he/she enters the complex. 
 

On entering the Dome, the visitor proceeds towards either the exhibition areas or the atrium. This in-between space acts as an internal courtyard between the "Dome" and the "Theatre" building. The "Dome", the "Theatre" and the atrium are linked in terms of function and circulation but are formally opposed. The metal sphere of the Dome acts in opposition to the fully glazed elevations of the "Theatre" and the revealed wooden box of the performance space.
 

The "Theatre"

The building may host a wide range of events and performances. The building program consists of a Performance Space and Conference Center with foyers, dressing rooms, service rooms and offices, an open-air atrium that connects it with the "Dome", administration offices and parking facilities.

The main Performance Space is composed of a 1200 seat hall with a balcony that may be divided with the aid of movable acoustic panels into two halls of 800 and 300 seats. A second 300 seat performance space, which may be connected with the main space, is located at the upper level.
The space is equipped with mobile bridges and peripheral technical corridors to allow for various types of spectacles (theater, show, music, opera or cinema). The seats are retractable and may be dismantled in order to accommodate different performance needs (proscenium stage, central stage, passarela, e.t.c).  The stage is equipped with a flying bridge and all necessary electromechanical equipment for different performance needs.

Materials
The main materials applied are glass, metal, wood and stone. The "Dome" is metal clad, while the "Theatre" foyers are enveloped in glass facades. The performance space is covered by a zinc box with rounded edges, while its walls are covered with dark iroko wooden planks. The acoustic ceilings are made of light wooden strips in beech (in public areas) or maple veneer (inside the performance spaces). The floors in foyers are covered with Serena stone slabs or Pentelikon marble, with wooden cubs in the performance space.

Environmental Design
Apart from the energy saved through the extensive use of sunlight, the double glass skin of the "Theatre" building offers significant reduction in air conditioning needs. It provides pre-heated air in the winter and acts as a buffer zone from the summer heat, because of its constant internal air-flow. In the case of the Performance Space building, bioclimatic studies showed that energy saving, achieved through the use of intelligent electronic and mechanical equipment and the choice of materials, amounts up to 11.6-27.5%, for the particular space and up to 7% regarding the whole building.

The double glass skin