KYKLOS is a new cultural center currently under development in Piraeus, near the Neo Faliro metro station. Initiated by the Dinos and Lia Martinos Foundation and designed by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop, the project is envisioned as an open and accessible place for art, learning, and public life. With an international outlook and a strong local presence, KYKLOS aims to enrich the urban and cultural fabric of the wider Athens metropolitan area through both its architecture and its programming.
Conceived as a space for cultural exchange, KYKLOS will expand access to the arts while fostering dialogue between local communities and global perspectives. Its strategic location and strong connection to public transport will allow the center to welcome a diverse audience, including residents of Piraeus, students, and international visitors. The program will include permanent art collections from Africa, Oceania, and other regions, alongside a dynamic calendar of temporary exhibitions, talks, screenings, and educational initiatives. These activities will explore contemporary artistic practices and evolving global narratives through both physical experiences and digital engagement.
The architectural design supports this vision by creating an environment that encourages visitors to slow down, engage, and connect. The building is set within a generous Mediterranean garden, conceived as a shelter for art and public life. Fully glazed exhibition galleries face one of the city’s largest avenues on the western side, while opening toward a quieter garden on the eastern side. Layers of architectural elements and dense planting carefully filter natural light and views, offering conditions for contemplation without disconnecting visitors from the surrounding urban and natural landscape.
Approximately sixty two percent of the total area will be dedicated to planted public spaces, designed in collaboration with landscape architect Camille Müller. These green zones soften the transition between the building and the city, while contributing to the local urban ecosystem and enhancing everyday life in the neighborhood. The project places strong emphasis on environmental performance, relying on natural light, energy efficient materials, and sustainable design strategies to achieve a high standard of resilience and reduced environmental impact.
Inside, the layout is flexible and adaptable, allowing exhibitions, events, and learning spaces to coexist and evolve over time. Transparency, both visual and functional, shapes the visitor experience. Clear sightlines and intuitive circulation promote openness, accessibility, and ease of movement throughout the building.
KYKLOS is not conceived as a standalone object in the landscape, but as part of a wider cultural and urban continuum. Through the integration of architecture, landscape, and programming, the center reflects the Foundation’s commitment to long term cultural engagement and public benefit. Fully funded by private resources, construction is scheduled for completion in late 2028. Once realized, KYKLOS will stand as an inclusive and adaptable cultural space, rooted in its place and open to the world.
