A unanimous committee has selected a proposal for the extension of the National Archaeological Museum in Athens that was submitted jointly by London-based David Chipperfield Architects and the Athens-based firm Tobazi.

The winning proposal, announced by the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports, unites the existing structure, located in the Exarcheia neighborhood of central Athens, with new elements.

Completed in 1889, the existing museum houses some of the most important artifacts from a variety of archaeological excavations around Greece from prehistory to late antiquity. It is considered one of the greatest museums in the world and contains the richest collection of Greek Antiquity artifacts worldwide.

During World War II, the museum was one of the few in Nazi-occupied Europe that was spared looting by invading German troops because ingenious Greek curators hatched a plan to hide all of the antiquities in the dirt in and around the museum property.

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni shared her vision for the winning proposal:

“The proposal of David Chipperfield and Alexandros N. Tobazis embodies the vision, creates a unique landmark in the urban fabric, is human-centered. It highlights the national dimension of the National Archaeological Museum, which it connects with the world becoming.

“We want an extroverted Museum, in constant dialogue with society, with a dynamic eye towards the future. The expansion of the National Archaeological Museum contributes substantially to the regeneration of the wider area of the historical center of Athens. This is one of the emblematic projects that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has included in the government’s program statements and for which he has a strong personal interest.”