F+G is project manager on Renzo Piano’s Athens project

Consultant Faithful+Gould is celebrating the completion of the architectural designs of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre (SNFCC) in Athens designed by Renzo Piano. F+G is project managing the €550m scheme and the tendering process for construction is expected to begin soon.

F+G has a full local team at its Athens office dedicated to the SNFCC which will grow to 15 employees during the construction of the project, using suppliers from the local market wherever possible. Once complete, the SNFCC will provide employment for more than a 1,000 people in and around Athens.

Working with the British Embassy, F+G held a reception at the British Ambassador’s residence in Athens today to highlight this and showcase UK engineering, construction and design excellence.

Sotiris Leontaris, head of Commercial Section for the British Embassy said: “British building companies are exporting enormous amounts of expertise and technical assistance advising clients on some of Greece’s most important building projects such as the SNFCC and many PPP projects.

“There are excellent opportunities for UK firms to build their export portfolios in Greece and last night’s reception was all about showcasing the great work that British firms are doing and promoting these opportunities to new companies.”

Arup, Expedition, TPC, AMA, Betaplan, LDK, OMete, the British Embassy in Athens, the British Library and Atkins are also involved in the SNFCC scheme.

It is being constructed on an existing site that was surrounded by events for the 2004 Olympic Games and is the most important new building project in Greece at present.

The SNFCC will encompass three major projects; new premises for the National Library of Greece which the British Library is helping to develop; the new home of the Greek National Opera and the Stavros Niarchos Park, 20 hectares of new green park in the centre of the city.

Neil Clemson, from F+G, said: “The SNFCC is a ground breaking world class project, a shining example of the best in design, engineering and sustainability. It will give Athens and the Greek Nation a new focal point of learning and culture.”