Restaurant of the Museum of Modern Greek Culture

The "Taverna Platon" building is located in the heart of Athens in the historic Monastiraki district, at the corner of Kladou and Krevata Streets. It is an old tavern owned by the Ministry of Culture and is one of 18 buildings in a complex that have been included in a restoration program to form the new Museum of Modern Greek Culture.

The objective was to restore and modernize the existing building, aiming to upgrade its form and function, so it could operate as the Museum's accompanying restaurant, offering Greek dishes that complement the museum's exhibits.

The architectural design adhered to the current institutional framework for the protection of the area, as well as the study of Plaka's traditional architecture. Special attention was given to preserving the building's architectural elements, keeping them as close as possible to their original form. New constructions were designed to be distinct, with exposed metal elements reflecting the building's character.

The ground floor will house a dining area and a food preparation area. A new entrance will be added on the west side to accommodate visitors and outdoor seating, while the mezzanine will be reconfigured to create auxiliary spaces. On the roof, to take advantage of the view of the Acropolis, a viewing area with benches will be created on the south side, along with a pergola for shade on the opposite side. Structurally, it was proposed to strengthen the masonry with a Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) system in combination with R/C jackets on the R/C elements.

The design incorporates modern furnishings with the aim of showcasing Greek tradition through contemporary design. The furniture, as well as the operational equipment, are designed by Greek creators, incorporating traditional Greek elements into modern lines, using materials such as wood, glass, metal, and marble. This project, which combines tradition with contemporary aesthetics, will be the first public building to be entirely composed of Greek design. The project has commenced its initial construction phase.

Architectural design:  Panagiotis Vekris, Myrsini Sakki

Structural design:  Stergios Tasios, Michalis Anastasiou, Ntina Tsironi

Electromechanical design:  Akis Ioannidis

Lighting Study:  Maria Mamakou

3D visualization:  Panagiotis Vekris, Konstantinos Sfakianos