The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center ( SNFCC ) ( Greek : Κέντρο Πολιτισμού Ίδρυμα Σταύρος Νιάρχος (ΚΠΙΣΝ)) is a cultural center complex in the municipality of Kallithea in Attica which includes new facilities for the National Library of Greece (NLG) and the Greek National Opera (GNO), as well as the 210,000 m (2,300,000 sq ft) Stavros Niarchos Park . The center was designed by architect Renzo Piano and its construction was funded by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation . The $ 861 million project was completed in 2016, and was donated to the Greek state in 2017.
7-707: Plans for a big scale donation by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation started in 1998. Initially the foundation planned to make separate donations to the National Library and the National Opera . In 2006 it was decided to build one complex for both organizations and after discussions with the Greek state the area of the former horse racing (Hippodrome) track was chosen. In 2008 the foundation chose Italian architect Renzo Piano to design
14-474: A 1,400-seat opera auditorium and a 400-seat black box theatre . The SNFCC was nominated for the international prize for architecture, RIBA International Prize 2018, awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects . It is the only Greek nominee among 62 buildings in 30 countries. During his visit to Athens, Greece (November 15–16, 2016), the former US President Barack Obama gave a speech at
21-564: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), covering the impact of democracy . Plans for the Athens Metro to reach Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) were announced in 2021. 37°56′23″N 23°41′30″E / 37.93972°N 23.69167°E / 37.93972; 23.69167 Stavros Niarchos Foundation The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)
28-586: The complex and in 2012 construction works started. Renzo Piano envisaged the SNFCC rising out of the ground like a dislodged piece of the Earth's crust. As a result, an artificial hill is constructed and the roof of both the library and the opera house is emerging from it maintaining the slope. The library is lower and the ‘hill’ concludes with the opera house. The roof of the library will be covered with ground material and planted with indigenous Greek plants. On top of
35-409: The opera house there will be a canopy supported on thin steel columns. According to Piano, "the canopy represents a cloud hovering over the highest point of the hill". The roof of the building is covered with a 100x100 meter photovoltaic field, generating around 3 GWh per year. The roof is suspended with dampers to increase its resilience during hurricanes. The design for the National Opera includes
42-519: The socio-economic crisis in Greece, SNF announced a grant initiative of additional $ 130 million (€100 million) over three years to help ease the adverse effects of the deepening crisis. A new initiative, Recharging the Youth, was announced in 2013 to help create new opportunities for Greece's younger generations and committed an additional $ 130 million (€100 million). Upon the completion of the first phase of
49-643: Was established in 1996 to honor Greek shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos (1909–1996). Niarchos was one of the world's largest transporters of oil and owned the largest supertanker fleet of his time. The foundation's board of directors includes: The foundation has staff in Athens, Greece ; Monte Carlo , Monaco; and New York City . Since 1996, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation has provided more than 4,700 grants totaling more than $ 3 billion to non-profit agencies. In 2012, in response to
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