6th Biennale of Young Greek Architects

A Biennale is a kind of periodic survey that aims to showcase the best current work of emerging creators. The Biennale of Young Greek Architects, organized by the Hellenic Institute of Architecture, already has a fifteen-year history behind it, and, as evidenced by the numerous entries this year, it has clearly established itself in the eyes of young architects.

However, a Biennale does not merely record the accomplishments of a given period; it also highlights certain works as the most accomplished or the most interesting, through the specific perspective of a jury. The members of each jury are called upon to form a shared approach for that particular moment in time, selecting from a wider selection those projects that innovate or capture the distinctive “mark” of the two-year period. In this way, the Biennale serves as an expression of a contemporary architectural “style,” from a perspective that simultaneously seeks to be legitimized as “objective”—through the merging of different subjectivities into a commonly accepted denominator.

The Hellenic Institute of Architecture’s desire to showcase the widest possible range of contemporary architectural works—including both realized and conceptual projects—has led to the recent non-thematic Biennales. Regarding the 6th Biennale, as the jury also notes in its statement, it is unfortunate that a larger number of entries cannot be presented in detail, especially this year, when the overall quality of the submissions is quite high. This development may reflect a broader improvement in the standard of architecture in Greece, and institutions such as the Biennale may contribute to fostering a spirit of healthy competition among young architects by highlighting their most significant works.

In this year’s Biennale as well, what appears to remain a consistent feature of architectural production in Greece—at least in the post-war period—is that the single-family residence continues to hold the crown, both in terms of quantity and quality. While this is certainly a positive development—especially given that contemporary Greek residential architecture is increasingly being recognized abroad for its high standard—it is also indicative of the ongoing lack of noteworthy public projects in the country.

This scarcity, which unfortunately continues to haunt the younger generations, reflects not only the long-standing and well-documented absence of architectural engagement, but more importantly, the lack of a collective vision and social interest in the public realm.

Another encouraging and not insignificant development evident in the context of the 6th Biennale is the participation of young architects in competitions—many of them international—with several receiving distinctions. In a period marked by global economic, social, and environmental crisis, young architects are not limiting themselves to the design of private residences alone; they are actively seeking alternative paths of architectural expression and presence.

Is there, perhaps, a common ground—a shared idiom—that emerges from this vast array of diverse works and approaches? In continuity with previous Biennales, the finest examples of current Greek architecture still tend to favor a restrained compositional language, a contemporary reinterpretation of modernist syntax. In the realm of residential architecture in particular, the stylistic affinity, especially among single-family homes, is striking. Perhaps, with the growing integration of ecological concerns into the design agendas of young architects, we are witnessing the evolution of architecture toward a kind of “green” modernity.

By closely following the proposals of younger architects, the institution of the Biennale can contribute constructively to their efforts in creating a qualitatively improved architectural environment, highlighting their innovative ideas about dwelling in both public and private space.

Elias Constantopoulos

Partner Organizations:
Benaki Museum
School of Architecture NTUA

Sponsors:
O.P.A.P
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
T.C.G.
Stavros Niarchos Foundation
Domes
EK Magazine
Grohe AG
SIAS

Curation:
Elias Constantopoulos

Design and Curation:
Milioni Marianna 

Organizational Support:
Foutrou Iro

*Photographs: L.Kourgiantakis