5th Biennale of Young Greek Architects

This year’s Biennale of Young Greek Architects, organized for the fifth time by the Hellenic Institute of Architecture, presents certain similarities as well as differences compared to the previous edition. First of all, it should be emphasized that participation in this Biennale was the highest since the institution was established in 1995.Once again, the Hellenic Institute of Architecture did not establish strict rules in the call for entries, nor was a specific theme set. As a result, there were 169 submissions representing all kinds of architectural activity—from international and national competitions to experimental constructions with no specific functional purpose. While the design proposals—utopian or otherwise—were indeed far more numerous than the completed projects, in the final selection of the 59 distinguished entries, nearly half (28) are completed works.
The purpose of the Biennale, as has been repeatedly emphasized, is not only to promote the work of younger Greek architects but also to foster dialogue among creators—a broader dialogue about Architecture in our country, given how few opportunities exist for such exchanges. Thus, the dichotomy that may emerge between theoretical proposals and realized projects provides yet another opportunity for discussion and critical reflection on the conditions of architectural practice in Greece.
Another topic of the dialogue is the allure of digital design. The virtual space allows for easy experimentation and morphological exploration, but it can also lead the designer into a kind of “virtual” design—creating forms and spaces that do not even relate to physical reality. Without denying the contribution of these design acrobatics to the evolution of architecture, I must observe that the capabilities of the computer sometimes provide an excuse for those who are unable to express through their designs the concerns and ideological struggles of the society in which they live.
I would like to thank my fellow professors Tasos Kotsiopoulos and Stavros Gyftopoulos for their diligent and long-term work in selecting the projects, as well as the Benaki Museum for co-organizing and providing the space for the exhibition, and the Ministry of Culture, the company ETEM, and the lighting company Bright for their generous sponsorship.
Finally, I would like to extend special thanks to the General Secretary of the Hellenic Institute of Architecture, colleague Katerina Giamalaki, for the exhibition design, and to the staff of the HIA for the overall organization and the editorial work on the catalog.

Nikos Kalogeras, Emeritus Professor of NTUA
President of the Hellenic Institute of Architecture

The exhibition of the 5th Architecture Biennale was held at Pavilion 06, at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Center, from September 30 to October 5, 2008.

Design and Curation:
Giamalaki Katerina 

Partner Organization:
Benaki Museum

Sponsors:
Ministry of Culture
Bright Special Lighting
ΕΤΕΜ Α.Ε.
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