By adding additional parameters which are related, mainly, to the points of contact between the surrounding area and the building, the definitive study of the New Archaeological Museum of Sparta is modified, while keeping, however, visible and accessible the architectural remains that were uncovered.

As the Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, stated, “after the approval of the final studies, the project of creating the New Archaeological Museum of Sparta in the building-monument HYMOFIX is in the final stretch”.

According to a relevant announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the study for the New Archaeological Museum of Sparta follows two axes: a) the restoration of the old shell of the preserved industrial building of the old HYMOFIX factory in order to include the functions of the New Museum, b) the addition, according to extension of a two-storey building with a basement, so that the building complex covers all the functions of a modern museum, universally accessible.

The New Archaeological Museum is located within the archaeological site of Sparta, on a plot of land of more than 20 acres, at the northern end of the city. Based on the approved studies, the property of the former HYMOFIX factory is used, whose main building – without the additions – has been designated a monument. It is a representative example of an industrial building of the modern movement.

In the architectural approach, emphasis was placed on preserving and highlighting the main aspect of the building-monument of the industrial complex of HYMOFIX, which preserves the principles of the design of the building (1957) by the architect Takis Zannetos and in preserving the interior of the building, so as to recall its industrial character.

At the same time, the preservation and the best possible viewing of the antiquities revealed by the excavation researchwithin the outline of the basement of the new building.

Excavations

In the context of the excavation research carried out in the basement of the New Museum, in a total area of ​​1,350 sq.m., an undisturbed, extensive horizon of use, from the late archaic and classical periods, as well as important architectural remains, among which a construction with a series of rectangular and square cobblestone bases of columns or peg-shaped supports, which must belong to an important public building, within a purely archaic layer, in a P-shaped arrangement. In relation to the original study and due to the antiquities, modifications were made that mainly concern the points of contact with the environment space with the building itself, on the west and north sides and partly on the south.

Museum

Regarding the functional organization of the spaces, the basement is developed on two levels. On the lower level there are, among other things, three distinct main storage areas for ceramics, mosaics and sculptures, smaller storage areas for excavation finds, a treasury, the central elevator. On the second level, the air-conditioning machine room, the central staircase, sanitary facilities, the prison staff’s office and the control room are located. The ground floor is also developed on two levels. On the lower level, the spaces for parallel events and periodical exhibitions, the Cafe, the shop, and public service areas are created. On the upper level of the ground floor, the main exhibition hall, study areas, laboratories and sanitary areas are developed, while there is a connection to the outside area. On the first floor, in the addition of the existing HYMOFIX factory, the functions include the four stairwells, the elevators, WC for the public and the disabled, two warehouses for exhibition items and permanent exhibition spaces.

The addition is connected to the floor of the old HYMOFIX factory. The first floor of HYMOFIX includes a room for educational activities, WC offices, stairwells and two elevators. Finally, the area of ​​the existing tank houses mechanical installations. The study foresees the exploitation of the former boiler room of HYMOFIX, which is an independent construction. On the ground floor there are offices, WC, kitchen, staircase and elevator. On the ground floor there is a guest house, offices, a scientific documentation archive and a stairwell with an elevator.