Greek National Theatre’s Main Stage Restoration - Ziller Building, Athens, Greece

The Ziller Building of the Greek National Theatre’s Main Stage stands as a significant neoclassical architectural marvel in Athens, dating back to the late 19th and early 20th century. After suffering damages from the 1999 earthquake, the building was closed for preventive reasons in 2001. A large-scale restoration project was undertaken from 2007 to 2009 to modernize and revive the historic landmark.

The restoration and equipment of the Greek National Theatre’s Main Stage was a top project in which we participated as part of a broad collaboration, contributing to the architectural design of the foyer and the rambling underground space that connects the buildings, the supervision of the building restoration works, and the equipment of the theatre.

The new space of the Greek National Theatre’s Main Stage is a completely new construction that has been cleverly designed within the space of the old theatre installation, with an additional extension towards the underground space. 

This new installation includes the main stage, which is 17.60m wide and 21.40m deep, now featuring an impressive tower - a unified metal structure that connects to the side stage, which is 13.90m wide and 18.30m deep, and has direct access to the stage set loading and unloading area, the backstage area, and the underground spaces of the theatre.

The reconstruction of the Ziller Building through its complete restoration combined two elements: the monumentality of the building and the prospect of a modern theatre according to 21st-century standards. An excellent illustration of this effort is even noticeable even on the 626 wooden seats of the main stage, which combine modern functionality with the feeling of red velvet and the image of the aesthetics of their first, historic installation.

During the restoration of the Ziller Building, an elaborate decoration was discovered that reflects the aesthetic influences of late 19th-century German art on the neoclassical style of Greece at the time.

In addition to the restoration work, the equipment of the Greek National Theatre’s Main Stage was also upgraded. This involved the implementation of advanced systems for Basic Equipment, Electrical Equipment, and Sound Equipment. The goal was twofold: to provide state-of-the-art support for a wide range of theatrical productions, and to ensure full accessibility for people with disabilities.