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 NEW TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM & SCIENCE CENTER “Ellinotechniki S.A. - Kion A.T.E.” have undertaken the technical supervision of the construction. |
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The creation of a new and imaginative Technology Museum & Science Center will serve the growing needs and expectations of the country and the Balkan Area as a whole. The new Technology Museum & Science Center (from now on T.M.S.C.) envisioned for Thessaloniki has been conceived as a facility for those interested in Science, as well as people inclined towards Arts or Entertainment. It will be a center oriented to a variety of expanding interests, appealing to a wide cross-section of the population.
The modern Technology Museums & Science Centers are institutions, which have a vital role in today's society worldwide. They are educational and recreation centers, which on one hand promote the modern intriguing advances in high technology and science, while on the other they collect, preserve, restore & exhibit samples of the History of Science & Technology. Yet, they can be much more: The viability of such a T.M.S.C. - in the age of visual media - is totally dependent upon the facility's diversity. The unit must be aware of the needs and demands of its visitors and structured both physically and philosophically in such a way, that it is able to exert magnetism, to draw visitors through its doors. The potential of the facility must be utilised to its utmost, by broadening its appeal to the public, becoming a “place for people”. At the same time, it cannot lose sight of its true function as an educational tool, advancing the public understanding of all sciences. The facility will include a wide sector of subject material, weaving the sciences into an informational and educational fabric, allowing the visitor to observe and participate, to learn and be entertained and in the overview gain an understanding, a perception of the magnificence of Science. In addition, most activities will contain recreational characteristics, a fact that will greatly contribute to the attractiveness, as well as the effectiveness of the facility. The Technology Museum of Thessaloniki has planned the organization and the operation of a new Science Center and Technology Museum, since 1997.
As a next step, T.M.Th. tried to form the best possible architectural team, which would possess the necessary experience and know-how for the design of this specialized facility. The latter imposes a number of unique demands on the architectural front, as no such facility has ever been designed in Greece and it encompasses a series of special buildings. The challenge posed to the architects (P. Tzonos, G. Hoipel, X. Hoipel, E. Spania with the French architect D. Laming as consultant) with respect to the building requirements of the new Centre, was the creation of a unique shape, which would house the complex and diverse functions of such an institution, providing the visitors with the sense of a "Voyage of Discovery". On the other hand, the advantageous position and the special morphology of the land demanded its best possible exploitation with a building, which would intrude into the environment the least possible, and - in parallel - would maintain its uniqueness. The main areas of the complex will be: - The main Lobby, which will serve as the crossroads of the facility. - The Main Museum, where exhibits from different themes of Science & Technology History will be displayed, along with appropriate information material and multimedia presentations. - The Large Format Theatre, a special venue with 300 amphitheatric seats and a giant flat screen (17m. x 23m.). Scientific and environmental large format films, both 2D and 3D will be presented in this theater. - The Auditorium, which will seat 200 people and will provide lecture, seminar and conference space. - The Planetarium, a 18m-diameter dome theater with 150 reclining seats, presenting astronomical and other educational shows in its unique environment (laser show, all-dome video, etc.). - The Motion Simulator Theater, where the eye, the ear and balance will work together to create the ultimate illusion (18 seats). - The Techno-Park, an Indoor Interactive Exhibit Area, which will be focusing around the central theme of “Science Laws & Human Perception” and will require active involvement, in a way which will be fun and exciting, whilst at the same time informative and educational. - The Temporary Exhibition area, where two or three travelling exhibitions per year will be displayed. - The CD-Rom Library with many instantly accessible titles and access to the Internet. - The Outdoor Science Park and garden. - The Science Show Point/Classroom, for non-formal as well as traditional types of educational activities for groups. - The Administrative Facilities, for the accommodation of the management and administrative staff. - Areas for food and recreation (restaurant, cafeteria) where visitors enjoy a light lunch or a coffee. - A Science Shop, where someone could buy scientific items, books and souvenirs. - The Workshop and Maintenance areas, which will provide the facility with the necessary services for operation and maintenance. - The Warehouse area, for the collection and temporary storage of the exhibits. The Museum will maintain its current premises as a main warehouse area. - The Parking Area. The project management firms of “Ellinotechniki S.A. – Kion A.T.E.” have undertaken the technical supervision of the construction. |
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Copyright © 2001 Technology Museum of Thessaloniki Contact the Science Center and Technology Museum |
