Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Cultural center in Kallithea, Greece
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center is a cultural and recreational complex in Kallithea with glass facades, a 46 m (150 ft) tall structure and wide green spaces. The site includes an opera house, a library, performance halls and a Mediterranean park with pathways, water features and sports areas.
The complex opened in August 2016 as a gift from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation to Greece during the economic crisis. The design came from Renzo Piano and relies on sustainable building techniques with solar energy and natural ventilation.
The complex brings together a national library and an opera house under one roof, creating meeting points for readers, music lovers and walkers alike. On summer evenings the terraces fill with visitors who linger outdoors after performances or exhibitions.
Guided tours through the buildings are available and the park remains open year-round for walks and sports. The outdoor areas work best in early morning or late afternoon when fewer visitors are around.
A solar canopy on top of the building generates more energy than the complex consumes, making it the first public building in Greece with a surplus. The gardens use only native plant species adapted to the Mediterranean climate and require little irrigation.
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