VSF015
Address: 15 Vasilissis Sofias str., Athens, GR
Architect: not mentioned
Year of construction: unknown
Owner: Ministry office building
Levels: 7
Lot area: 1,075 m2
Building area: 6,965 m2
Researchers: Alexandra Kyriazi, Electra Katsaiti-Vasileiou, Kaylee van den Houten
Built in one of the most affluent neighborhoods of Athens, Kolonaki, the Ministry of Internal Affairs building is located at Vasilissis Sofias Avenue 15, opposite the northern side of the National Garden.
It’s built in the site of Ralli-Skaramagkas mansion built from A.Zachos architect and was one of the last mansions built on the avenue in the 1920s. It featured a Neo-Byzantine style rather than the neoclassical design typical of most buildings on the avenue. It was demolished in 1955.
Architecturally, the ministry building follows the principles of Cubism and Classicizing Modernism. It is the work of architect K. Kapsampelis in 1958, one of the prominent figures in urban architecture in Athens during the 1950s and 1960s.
The building consists of a ground floor, a basement and six stories, with the top two recessed (retire). Each floor covers an area of approximately 900 square meters, while the total height of the building, including the small structure on the rooftop, is 24 meters.
The facades are designed with an intent to convey calmness referencing outdated Neoclassicism. This is achieved through the emphasis on symmetrical axes and the use of semi-open spaces (loggias). The building combines the geometric simplicity of Modernism with classical elements of symmetry and organization. It possesses a strong sense of monumentality, enhanced by clean lines, cubic volumes and marble cladding.
The Ministry of Interior building reflects the architectural trend of its era, which sought to create monumental yet functional public buildings.
Architect: not mentioned
Year of construction: unknown
Owner: Ministry office building
Levels: 7
Lot area: 1,075 m2
Building area: 6,965 m2
Researchers: Alexandra Kyriazi, Electra Katsaiti-Vasileiou, Kaylee van den Houten
Built in one of the most affluent neighborhoods of Athens, Kolonaki, the Ministry of Internal Affairs building is located at Vasilissis Sofias Avenue 15, opposite the northern side of the National Garden.
It’s built in the site of Ralli-Skaramagkas mansion built from A.Zachos architect and was one of the last mansions built on the avenue in the 1920s. It featured a Neo-Byzantine style rather than the neoclassical design typical of most buildings on the avenue. It was demolished in 1955.
Architecturally, the ministry building follows the principles of Cubism and Classicizing Modernism. It is the work of architect K. Kapsampelis in 1958, one of the prominent figures in urban architecture in Athens during the 1950s and 1960s.
The building consists of a ground floor, a basement and six stories, with the top two recessed (retire). Each floor covers an area of approximately 900 square meters, while the total height of the building, including the small structure on the rooftop, is 24 meters.
The facades are designed with an intent to convey calmness referencing outdated Neoclassicism. This is achieved through the emphasis on symmetrical axes and the use of semi-open spaces (loggias). The building combines the geometric simplicity of Modernism with classical elements of symmetry and organization. It possesses a strong sense of monumentality, enhanced by clean lines, cubic volumes and marble cladding.
The Ministry of Interior building reflects the architectural trend of its era, which sought to create monumental yet functional public buildings.
VSF015 analysis booklet
all drawings and images © Retrieving Athens, DoAUP, Katsota, D., Kyriazi A., Katsaiti-Vasileiou E., Van den Houten K.
plans of existing building courtesy of the Technical Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs