“2nd Nature” – 50 years Pieris.Architects

A major exhibition at the Athens Conservatoire focused on the journey of the award-winning architectural firm and its dedication to sustainability, through selected projects and artistic installations.

How many “breaths” can a “dive” into an iconic Bauhaus landmark in the heart of Athens hold? How does contemporary Greek architectural creation inspire renowned international artists? Does architecture emit… scent and sound?

The exhibition “2nd Nature” co-curated by Pieris.Architects and DpS Athens explored the intersection of art, architecture, and sustainability in the work of the architectural firm Pieris.Architects. Starting November 7, 2024, at the multi-purpose space Ω2 in the Athens Conservatory.

In a world where environmental issues increasingly resonate loudly in the public sphere and, of course, within the architectural community, the work of Pieris.Architects is imbued with “eco-emotional intelligence”, a concept they have been promoting internationally since 2002. They approach the practice of building based on principles of sustainability, while simultaneously aiming through their proposals to awaken the senses and emotions, highlighting both the material characteristics and the intangible, psychological essence of space. The principles of ecology guide their constructions. The buildings they design “contain” meaning, breathe, “embrace” daylight, integrate into their natural or urban environment, respect nature, and engage in dialogue with the infinitely “sensory” dynamics of space.

The exhibition narrative unfolded through selected projects of the firm in five interconnected thematic sections.

Specifically:

1. In “Echoes of Structure”, large-scale projects are featured, including the award-winning proposal for the Metropolitan Water Airport of Attica and the Sports, Cultural & Environmental Park of Agia Paraskevi in Athens. Here, visitors will also have the opportunity to discover “The SPOT” (Sustainable Practices of Tomorrow), a building at the University of Patras designed and constructed with a carbon-neutral balance using innovative building materials. Its construction is carried out through 3D robotic concrete printing, a cutting-edge practice being applied at full scale in Greece for the first time.
   
2. In “Visual Diaries”, the firm’s working process is captured through drawings, models, meeting notes, workshops, and more. Through the presentation of this material, the audience will have the chance to understand the multifaceted design process behind their projects.
   
3. The theme “Softness of the Environments” showcases projects by Pieris.Architects of various scales, both realized and conceptual, harmoniously integrated into rural areas, island landscapes, and the urban fabric through adaptive reuse. Among them are the “Olon” glamping site in Milos, the award-winning “Tella Thera” hotel in Chania, Crete, “Olivia Eterna”, and “Gazi Vision” in the center of Athens, among others.
   
4. “Embracing the Unexpected” invites the audience to “dive” into an artistic installation, a collaboration between Pieris.Architects and landscape architect Karolos Chanikian (founder of Greenways), with lighting design by lighting engineer Giorgos Samoladopoulos (creator of Site Specific). This work focuses on how visitors perceive and interact with nature, through Pieris.Architects’ approach to ecology.
   
5. Finally, the fifth thematic section, titled “Pnoé” (Breath), functions as the thread that connects and sparks dialogue between Pieris.Architects’ work and selected creations by international artists, emphasizing the vital relationship between nature, architecture, and design. Through their refined materiality, these works highlight the perspectives of the contributing creators on issues such as climate change, energy, and architecture. International architect and designer Crina Arghirescu Rogard will participate with her handmade “Narcissus Mirror_series 2”, crafted from pieces of recycled leather a collaboration with the firm Hartis. Todd Marshard will present three works from his beautiful ceramic art, a traditionally sustainable craft with a low carbon footprint. Roxane Revon brings airy fabrics made from wheatgrass roots to Athens. Additionally, Pieris.Architects will present their own functional sculptural objects, such as the “Kellert tables” trilogy made from repurposed marble.

The sensory experience orchestrated by Pieris.Architects was “dressed” with soundscapes created by sound artist and architect Virna Koutla, serving as another medium for exploring space. The projects of Pieris.Architects have been captured through the lens of Gavriil Papadiotis, while the award-winning filmmaker Giannis Misouridis told the story of the firm through the narratives of its people.
Since “2nd Nature” is a project with a strong educational focus centered on sustainability, all constructions and displays were either recycled or reused after the exhibition ended.

DISCUSSION PANEL

Saturday, November 9 2024, 18:30
“Partnerships in Construction and Design: Advancing the 17th UN Sustainable Development Goal through Innovation and Sustainable Practices”,
an event organized by COSMOS | ESG & CSR Consulting
Pieris.Architects, in collaboration with four leading companies from different sectors of construction materials, join forces to combat climate change and advance the 17th UN Sustainable Development Goal – “Partnerships for the Goals.”
The HERACLES Group, Alumil, Elvial Colour, and Marmyk Iliopoulos leaders in their respective fields together with Pieris.Architects, present their outstanding efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of construction from multiple perspectives, integrating technological innovation, effective governance, and sustainable design.
By combining their expertise in materials production and architectural design, they are shaping the future of sustainable construction through a holistic, multi-layered approach, aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the three pillars of ESG (Environment, Social, Governance).
Moderator: Ivi-Chara Dikaiou | Founder, COSMOS ESG & CSR Consulting | Sustainability Synergies Coordinator, “2nd Nature”

Wednesday, 13 November 2024, 18:30
“Opportunities and Challenges in Accelerating Circular and Sustainable Construction”,
an event organized by HERACLES Group
As the world faces rapid change driven by major megatrends such as population growth, urbanization, and rising living standards, the construction sector stands at the forefront of this transformation. The increasing demand for housing and infrastructure places immense pressure on resources, emphasizing the urgent need to shift toward more sustainable practices. From the initial design phase to final outcomes, sustainability must be embedded in every stage of the construction process—from innovative architectural designs and environmentally friendly building materials to efficient structural engineering and proper construction waste management. By adopting circular and sustainable practices, companies not only contribute to environmental preservation but also gain a competitive edge in an evolving market that prioritizes eco-conscious solutions. Sustainability is no longer just an option—it is becoming a key driver for the future of construction.

Moderator: Nikos Karkagiannis, Journalist, Founder of ypodomes.gr

Pieris.Architects

Pioneers in sustainable design, Pieris.Architects (pierisarchitects.com) operate in Greece and internationally through their offices in Athens, London, and Nicosia. Their mission is to create innovative constructions that serve both aesthetics and functionality. Their projects are integrated with knowledge, respect, and deep social awareness into each unique context be it urban, natural, or cultural landscape. The firm’s portfolio includes projects of varying scales and functions from public spaces and infrastructure to office buildings, hospitality developments, residential complexes, and bespoke homes. A creative “offspring” of Konstantinos Pieris, the firm boasts a fruitful five-decade-long journey. In 2003 and 2004, Dr. Stella Pieri and Pieros Pieris joined the practice, bringing with them professional experience from renowned UK firms. Their active presence offered Pieris.Architects a renewed outlook and a deeper commitment to innovation and sustainable design. Pieris.Architects have earned recognition in international architectural competitions both as a firm and through their individual leaders. Among other distinctions, they have received the Stephen Welsh and Barton Wilmore awards and have been honored by prestigious institutions such as the Van Alen Institute (USA), 9/12 (Taiwan), and Best Emerging Practice under 40. In 2012, the President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, awarded Konstantinos Pieris the National Award for Lifetime Achievement for his contributions to architecture and the built environment on an international level.

Athens Conservatoire

Founded in 1871, the Athens Conservatoire is the oldest educational institution for the performing arts in Greece. Among its distinguished alumni are composers Spyros Samaras, Nikos Skalkottas, and Mikis Theodorakis; conductor and composer Dimitris Mitropoulos; sopranos Maria Callas and Alexandra Trianti; and pianists Gina Bachauer and Dimitris Sgouros. An iconic landmark in the heart of Athens, its headquarters was designed by Ioannis Despotopoulos (1903–1992), a prominent figure of the modernist architectural movement and the Bauhaus, where he was an active participant. Parts of the building have previously housed the National Museum of Contemporary Art, hosted exhibitions by the NEON Foundation, and served as a key venue for documenta 14 in Athens. With its raw materiality and unrefined aesthetic, the Ω2 multipurpose space of the Conservatoire offers an ideal “shell” for the “2nd Nature” exhibition by Pieris.Architects, engaging in dialogue with the iconic building and its functional character.

Pieris.Architects – “2nd Nature”
Exhibition dates: November 8–16, 2024
Venue: Athens Conservatory, Ω2 Multipurpose Hall (Rigillis & Vasileos Georgiou II 17–19, Athens | Tel. +30 210 7240673)
Exhibition opening hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 11:00–20:00, Tuesday: 10:00–18:00, Saturday & Sunday: 11:00–19:00
Free admission

The exhibition was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, the Region of Attica, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the University of Thessaly, and the Hellenic Institute of Architecture.

Photographs: Gavriil Papadiotis