Aigli

Zappeiou

There is an aura surrounding Aigli. First constructed in 1904 as a small cafe in the heart of the National Gardens in Athens, Greece, adjacent to the famous neoclassical Zappeion exhibition hall, it has been a hub of Athenian social life for more than 120 years. But it has also been a landmark, a common reference point in the city, an important part of the collective Athenian imagination. The new Aigli builds on this legacy but aims to widen its reach to be more inclusive, democratic, open, and dynamic. It will welcome and help catalyze a more eclectic definition of what it means to be Athenian.

The architecture of the new Aigli complex must be unique, welcoming, heterogeneous, historic, and contemporary. Each of the many varied venues contained within, the All-Day Cafe, Fine Dining Restaurant, Cinema, Event Space, Music Venue, Conference Center, Art Gallery, Outdoor Lounge, Party Room, etc., must have a unique identity, while also sharing a common DNA of design elements and materials.

The new Aigli is therefore conceived of as a container of compelling contrasts, an ecosystem of social exchanges, a single landmark destination with multiple attractions - each with is own distinct features and design concepts. The first two venues to open within the New Aigli complex are the Aigli All-Day Café and the Aigli Restaurant.

P r o j e c t  d e t a i l s

Architectural design, Interior design: Neiheiser Argyros, Esé studio

Neiheiser Argyros Team: Xristina Argyros, Ryan Neiheiser, Iason Ntounis, Niki Kourti, Savvas Kakalis, Nikos Christopoulos, Dimitris Molonis

Esé Studio Team: Sotiris Mallas, Aaron Ritenour, Iliana Fiorandi, Chrysa Michopoulou

Lighting design: Eleftheria Deko and Associates Lighting Design

E/M design: Dimidis and Partners

Softscape: SRLA, Simon Rackham

Acoustics: Timagenis Acoustics

Construction: Escape Construction

Graphic design: Busy Building

Owner: Aigli Zappeiou

Photography: Lorenzo Zandri

Drawings and Diagrams: Neiheiser Argyros