The project concerns the restoration and repair of the listed “Merlin de Douai” Mansion, which houses the French Embassy in Greece, located at the intersection of Akadimias Street and Vasilissis Sofias Avenue. Within the urban fabric of Athens, the property occupies a corner plot with a total area of 1,746.60 sq.m. and includes the main listed building, designed by Anastasios Metaxas, as well as auxiliary structures and landscaped outdoor spaces.
The main building, erected in 1896, which accommodates the Embassy, embodies the principles of late Neoclassicism, featuring a clear volumetric composition, a tripartite organization of its façades, and an axial arrangement of openings. Its architectural elements—marble balconies, decorative cornices, moldings, and pilasters—form a coherent composition of significant historical and aesthetic value. The building is complemented by auxiliary structures and a designed outdoor environment with planting and internal circulation paths that organize the overall function of the complex.
The intervention focuses on the comprehensive restoration of the building envelope and its individual façade elements, aiming to reinstate the morphological coherence and material integrity of the structure. Works include the conservation and restoration of plasters and marble and stone elements, the upgrading of roofing systems and rainwater drainage, as well as the removal and replacement of later or deteriorated additions that are incompatible with the building’s architectural character. Particular attention is given to addressing deterioration caused by natural aging, environmental exposure, seismic activity, and previous interventions.
In parallel, the project includes the upgrading of supporting infrastructure, with the aim of improving the functionality and safety of the complex. All interventions are implemented without altering the building’s planning parameters, preserving its existing scale and geometry.
Overall, the project seeks to restore and preserve the architectural identity of the monument, while integrating contemporary requirements for use and protection, contributing to the continuity of the historic urban landscape.
Project Architect: Alexis Vikelas
Design Team: Katerina Tempeli, Sevasti Flaskou, Nafsika Andritsopoulou
