Results of the 11th Biennale of Young Greek Architects

The Hellenic Institute of Architecture, as part of its activities for the promotion of contemporary Greek architecture, announced a call for entries for the 11th Biennale of Young Greek Architects. The aim of the Biennale of Young Greek Architects, which is organized by the Institute every two years, is to gather a representative sample of the work of young architects, to highlight emerging creators, and to encourage the exchange of ideas regarding the development of architectural thought and the production of architectural work in Greece today.

Submissions to the Biennale of Young Greek Architects are accepted from architects up to 45 years of age and may include both completed projects and unbuilt proposals, provided that the latter are based on actual commissions or distinctions in competitions. Student work is not accepted. All selected entries are published in a dedicated catalog issued by the Hellenic Institute of Architecture.

The five-member Jury Committee of the 11th Biennale of Young Greek Architects consists of Anastasios Kotsiopoulos, Professor Emeritus, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Chair), Anastasios Tellios, Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Konstantinos Moraitis, Professor Emeritus, National Technical University of Athens, Morpho Papanikolaou, Architect, I.U.A.V., Dimitris Thomopoulos, Associate Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Alternate jury members: Stavros Gyftopoulos, Professor, National Technical University of Athens, Alkmini Paka, Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

The Jury Committee thoroughly reviewed the 165 projects and proposals submitted, initially categorizing them into three groups based on their quality, which were subsequently consolidated into two, and proceeded with the following general observations:

1. The large number of submitted works and proposals allows for a very optimistic outlook on architectural creativity and practice, especially considering that these entries represent the work of young architects. Overall, the quality of the submitted projects and studies was considered high. The Committee found that approximately 25% of the entries were unquestionably of high standard and could thus be regarded as distinguished, while the remaining 75% were of varying but generally interesting quality.
2. In terms of scale and subject matter, there is a predominance of renovations of urban and vacation residences, as well as new vacation homes which, in some cases, accommodate tourism-related activities. There is also a noteworthy presence of landscape design and urban regeneration studies, typically derived from competitions that have not yet been implemented. Conversely, there is limited representation of public buildings, as well as large-scale or complex architectural projects. Particular emphasis was placed on designs that have received awards or have participated in noteworthy national or international architectural competitions, reflecting significant interest in the meaningful support of these institutional frameworks.
3. In terms of design approaches, proposals aligning with the repertoire of the so-called “Greek New Modernism” are clearly discernible. These often feature clean geometric forms, typically rectangular, emphasizing the “honest” expression and articulation of structural elements and materials. However, variations were also noted, likely stemming from differences in design pedagogy across architectural schools, especially considering that for most participants, only a short time has passed since they received their architectural diploma.
4. It is also worth noting specific design trends, such as the increased use of underground (subterranean) structures, which seem to have gained popularity among younger designers. However, in some cases, this trend borders on excess, possibly encouraged by legal loopholes. Beyond any influence from broader design and stylistic trends—or even the intention to enlarge architectural volumes without visible environmental impact—these proposals can perhaps be interpreted as landscape-oriented design approaches. There is widespread use of advanced digital visualization tools, to the extent that it is sometimes difficult for viewers to distinguish between 3D renderings and photographs of actual built spaces.  However, the potential of these tools to describe the design evolution from concept to final result seems underutilized. Generally, and with exceptions, verbal explanations are preferred, which often rely on metaphorical language.

In conclusion, the Jury Committee reaffirms the importance of this institution in promoting the work of young architects, and by extension, the role of contemporary Greek architecture within the fast-evolving global forum of new ideas in the architectural field.

The Jury Committee