B & M THEOCHARAKIS FOUNDATION FOR THE FINE ARTS AND MUSIC

The Basil and Marina Theocharakis Foundation is situated opposite the Hellenic Parliament in the cultural, political and commercial heart of Athens. The Foundation's premises on the corner of Merlin and Vassilissis Sofias streets were designed by Vassilis Tsagris during the last years of the 1920's; built in the eclectic style of the inter-war period, the building-which was listed in 1985--borrows freely from many European styles. Having served a variety of functions down the years, the premises were acquired by the B & M Theocharakis Foundation in 2005.

The building's exterior was renovated in line with plans drawn up by Dimitris Agiostratitis, while the Foundation's interior was reorganized by the architectural firm P. Tzonos-G. Heuppel, who ensured that the resultant spaces provided all the facilities required by a contemporary cultural centre: galleries for temporary and permanent exhibitions, an auditorium for musical events, lectures and conferences, an art shop, a café and a data access area. The architectural design was informed by a desire to achieve maximum functionality coupled with a high-quality aesthetic and recognizable personality.