Renzo Piano Returns to Greece with Cultural Center in Piraeus
Construction has begun on KYKLOS, a new center for art and culture in the port city of Piraeus, designed by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop. Commissioned by the Dinos and Lia Martinos Foundation (DLMF), this project strengthens the renowned Italian architect’s influence in Greece, following his celebrated Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens and three new public hospitals developed with SNF across the country. Prioritizing sustainability, accessibility, and intercultural dialogue, KYKLOS is envisioned as a hub where contemporary creativity and traditional heritage seamlessly unite. Scheduled for completion in late 2028 and entirely funded privately, KYKLOS aims to foster a vibrant exchange of ideas and cultures.
renderings by MIR
KYKLOS to House Art from Multiple Regions Across the Globe
The name KYKLOS, meaning ‘circle’ in Greek, reflects the project’s vision of creating a continuous and inclusive space where ideas, stories, and communities meet. The center will feature permanent collections of art from Africa, Oceania, and other regions worldwide, focusing on works that are often underrepresented in Western institutions. In addition, KYKLOS will offer a dynamic program of contemporary exhibitions, lectures, screenings, and both in-person and online educational initiatives to explore the relationships between global cultures and artistic expression.
Embracing this inclusive philosophy, the project’s visual and brand identity—developed by creative agency Interweave—expresses the same values of openness and connection at the heart of KYKLOS. Designed by Renzo Piano’s team as an urban oasis, the center will dedicate 62% of its grounds to green and recreational areas, integrating architecture and landscape to enhance the local neighborhood. With a focus on universal accessibility, energy efficiency, and a strong sense of place, KYKLOS is set to become a sustainable landmark for Piraeus.
KYKLOS center for art and culture is set to rise in the port city of Piraeus
DLMF’s Project Scheduled to Complete in 2028
As part of a wider international network of cultural institutions, the DLMF’s center aims to connect local and global audiences through diverse programming. Whether through school workshops, traveling exhibitions, or public lectures, KYKLOS will spark dialogue on the role of artistic expression in understanding our interconnected world. According to executive director Christos Carras, the project is grounded in the belief that art serves as a bridge—linking continents, nurturing empathy, and promoting shared understanding.
Anticipated to open in the final quarter of 2028, KYKLOS marks an important new chapter in the cultural landscape of Piraeus and the wider Attica region.
the center will house permanent collections of art from Africa, Oceania, and other regions across the globe
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