Emporiki’s Bank Building
Emporiki's Bank Building's lines and volumes are masterfully used.
Modern and Contemporary era (1821 - )
1969 The Fotiadis house was demolished.
1971 Beginning of construction of the bank building.
1972 Completed.
Ottoman era (1453- 1821)
Byzantine era (331 AC- 1453)
Roman era (30 BC- 330 AC)
Hellenistic era (322- 31 BC)
Classical era (478-323 BC)
Archaic era (800-479 BC)
Geometric era (-1100- 800 BC)
Prehistory (-1100 BC)
What I can see
It is a sample of late modernism, its volumes are governed by plasticity and there are brutalist references. The main volume of the building is in projection in relation to the ground floor, its vertical lines are emphasized and it is crowned with the upper part of the building, which has horizontal stripes and “flies”, thanks to the gap with the rest of the building. The two facades on Korai and the Stadiou Streets do not intersect. The angular void enhances the projections of their volumes.
What I can't see
It was designed by Sir Basil Spence, an important representative of modernism in the 1960s. Spence collaborated with Emmanuel Vourekas in the design of the building. The name comes from the previous bank that was housed here, because press and bibliography refer to this name more often. Previously, this was a neoclassical building of 1890 with an Ionic colonnade at the entrance. It was the residence of Stefanos Fotiadis and many receptions and dance parties were organized during the reign of King George I.
Info
- Address: Stadiou & Korai St.
Bibliography
Field observation by scientific editors
Zivas D.A., (2012), Αρχιτεκτονικός Οδηγός Αθηνών, [Architectural Guide of Athens], Cultural Foundation of Pireos Group
