Chios Mastic Museum
2007 - 2016
Information
The Museum complex consists of two basic building units, which are laid out on three levels. The first houses the functions of the ticket office and shop, of the canteen, the multi-purpose hall, and the educational programmes, while the second contains the Museum’s exhibition areas. The ancillary functions of the Museum are housed in the basement of the building. The functional linkage of the Museum’s individual units is ensured by means of a semi-open-air circulation network for visitors and underground closed corridors for employees. Two wooden shelters have been designed, orientated absolutely in a South-North direction, with a slight inclination towards the South.
The shelters are the new boundary of the fenced mastic orchard, the ‘gate’ through which one must pass in order to wander on this farm. They serve as ‘eyes’ which open towards the horizon and frame the unique view which stretches from the sea (in the west) to Pyrgi (in the east).
The wooden shelters are laid out on a gentle slope opposed to the natural slope of the site. On its southern wall the bearers start out from ground level, while in their northern section they have attained sufficient height to house the building’s functions.