Eso 2023 – Multiverse

On Wednesday, May 24, 2023, the ESO Conference returned for the 11th consecutive year at the Trianti Hall of the Athens Concert Hall, welcoming leading figures from the Greek and international architecture and creative scene around the theme “Multiverse”, which proposed the coexistence of multiple and diverse forms of natural and artificial life.

Footage from the 2022 event in collaboration with the Mies van der Rohe Foundation and the European MIES AWARDS.

We are searching for a sustainable way of inhabiting the planet. We long for the primal principles of coexistence, while each individual strives for autonomy. We are stepping into the unknown and uncertain realm of Artificial Intelligence. We are exploring digital worlds created by humans, for humans.

The theme of ESO 2022, “CROSSING TERRITORIES”, in collaboration with the European Mies Van Der Rohe Awards, acknowledged the uncertainty of social, cultural, political, and economic transformations, without prejudice.

ESO theme, titled “MULTIVERSE”, further bridged theoretical discourse on ongoing change with emerging practice in the fields of architecture, design, and the arts and its outcomes.

The term “MULTIVERSE” described a range of diverse environments that respond to human needs and go beyond them by including other forms of natural and artificial life.

“MULTIVERSE” proposed the coexistence of multiple parallel environments.

Chrysa Stamatopoulou from GRIMSHAW Architects, Myrto Kiourti, Giorgos Batzios – Georges Batzios Architects, Giorgos Tsolakis – Tsolakis Architects, Giorgos Mitroulias AREA, Yoshiharu Tsukamoto and Momoyo Kaijima ATELIER BOW WOW, Manuel Aires Mateus – Francisco Aires Mateus Arquitectos, Arthur Mamou Mani Mamou-Mani Ltd Architects, Kristian Villadsen GEHL, Giorgos Armaos, Director of Gagosian, Iason Tsakonas OLIAROS, Ilias Messinas ECOWEEK, and Stathis Kalyvas, Greek political scientist, author, and professor at the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Oxford, were on stage on Wednesday, May 24th, at the Alexandra Trianti Hall of the Athens Concert Hall , to outline current issues and encourage further dialogue.

The topics that were discussed introduced explorations of different concepts of inclusion, critical environmental issues, and new perspectives on the ever-expanding cities and the changing countryside.

During this ESO, the fifth Archisearch Lifetime Achievement Awards ceremony highlighted the work and personality of Kyriakos Kyriakidis, Dimitris Antonakakis, Dimitris Filippidis, and Rena Papaspyrou. The awards were presented by Dr. Panos Pangalos, Associate Professor at the University of West Attica, and the artist Ilias Papailiakis.

The event was hosted and moderated by Danae Makri, Head of Content at Design Ambassador.