Feature: Open House transforms Athens into open-air museum

More than 90 private and public buildings in Greek capital Athens opened their doors to thousands of architecture and design enthusiasts during the past weekend amid the fourth Open House Athens.

Open House, one of the most important institutions for the promotion of architecture, started in London in 1992 and features to this day 32 cities around the globe.

The project invites the public to explore and understand the value of architecture, and get better acquainted with both the city's heritage and its latest architectural acquisitions.

In Athens, the list of "exhibits" was long and exhilarating, having visitors racing from one spot to the next and queuing for long hours in order to get a guided tour inside their building of choice. From landmark buildings and historical monuments of the 19th century to ultramodern cultural centers and from former industrial spaces turned into luxurious lofts to 1930s art deco and Bauhaus constructions, every aspect of Athenian architecture was on the menu.

"Athens combines diverse architectural styles. Apart from its classical ancient landmarks, such as the Acropolis, which are more known abroad, Athens features many neoclassical and modern buildings, and of course contemporary architecture which keeps blooming despite the crisis," Renata Douma, creative manager of Open House Athens, told Xinhua.

Driven by a growing tendency for introspection and reevaluation, over recent years many Athenians have come to see their city in a new light, becoming more and more eager to learn the history each building hides, rediscover the beauty of the city's countless neglected architectural gems and shake away the stereotype of Athens as a "cement jungle." In this context, Open House Athens, which first started in 2014, became an instant hit attracting more and more visitors each year and reaching 29,000 in 2016.

Antonia Panagi, a student of Architecture in the University of Athens, is one of the 450 volunteers of the project. She's a guide to the impressive Old Parliament House, a building with a long history at the city center.

Its construction started in 1858 on the plans of French architect Francois Boulanger in order to house the parliament. However it took a radical modification of plans by Panagis Kalkos and 17 years to complete, due to lack of resources.

"The National Assembly convened here for 60 years, from 1875 to 1935," Panagi said. In 1935, the Parliament moved to the Old Palace, the building where it still is now at Syntagma square, and the Old Parliament House was then decided to house the collections of the National Historical Museum of Greece.

The outbreak of World War II may have postponed the relocation for another 26 years, but nowadays the National Historical Museum is among the most visited of Athens, hosting some true treasures of the nation's recent history.

"This building is a typical example of Athenian neoclassicism. Its facade, being perfectly symmetrical and divided in three horizontal sections is also typical of this style," Panagi explained. The interior is structured around the simple, yet imposing, auditorium of the Parliament, a room that has witnessed one of the most turbulent periods of modern Greek history.

"It is in here that Charilaos Trikoupis (former Greek prime minister) said in 1893 his famous quote: "Unfortunately, we are bankrupt" and in this room was held the trial of the six officials held responsible for the Greek military defeat in Asia Minor in 1922," Panagi said.

At the other side of the city center, at the hippie neighborhood of Gazi, people are queuing at the entrance of Athina Art Apartments, seizing the rare opportunity to peek inside a private space of high architectural standards. The modern building of four 70 sqm two-storey residences destined for short-term rental, constructed in 2015 and designed by sm.pa architects, stands out as a fine example of relaxed urban living.

"We wanted the residents to perceive the apartments as simple and minimal, homey and industrial at the same time, and definitely not as something too loud," Christos Patakos, one of the architects, said.

Inside the apartments, the limits between the indoor and outdoor space fade out, as a play of light and shadow prevails. "Their main characteristic is the open plan and the play with light," Patakos stressed.

In the heart of a formerly industrial quarter and close to the railway, the position inspired the architectural team to design a building that reflects this industrial background, but also brings in something new. "Our solution was to build a perforated shell around the building that casts shadow play inside the apartments and also gives a sense of movement to passers-by, so as to create a recognizable landmark for the whole area," Patakos explained.

The shell, which also protects the west-oriented building from intense sunlight, consists of 69 unique laser-cut pieces, perforated in simple, linear shapes. Enditem