Dimitris Fatouros
25.01.2007 at 19:00
The Hellenic Institute of Architecture organized a new series of lectures by Greek architects under the title “HIA Lectures 2007–2008”. This series aimed to broaden public awareness of contemporary architectural practice, featuring distinguished professionals invited to present their views on Greek architecture and their own work.
Greek architecture today continues to pose a set of open questions. Issues such as the processes related to the profession, the insufficient execution of architectural competitions, the relationship between architecture and the country’s broader economic reality, the role and potential of construction technology, the gradual transformation of architects into executors of pre-decided choices by construction firms, the legacy of the Olympic projects, the relationship between architecture and society, the problematic role of the Greek architectural and urban tradition, the relevance of contemporary architecture to the lived reality of Greek cities, the issue of architectural education, the relationship between Greek and international architecture, the inadequate strategies for promoting architecture both in Greece and abroad, and the role of architectural criticism—these are all matters that often do not support genuine design research or the development of overall architectural quality. Architecture in Greece today continues to raise questions that remain unanswered—questions that have already been addressed not only in the West but also in many countries of the self-satisfied so-called “Third World.”
This lecture series, organized by the Hellenic Institute of Architecture, sought to offer responses to these concerns. The invited architects, many of whom belong to a younger generation, aimed to develop both theoretical perspectives on the above issues and to articulate the principles that define their personal architectural approach within the framework of the built environment.
“References 2006”
DIMITRIS FATOUROS
He was born in 1928 and studied architecture at the National Technical University of Athens, from which he graduated in 1952. He was initially a student and later a collaborator of teachers such as Dimitris Pikionis, Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas, and P.A. Michelis. It was also there that his teaching career began as a curator, which later flourished in Thessaloniki, where he served as a professor of Architecture (1959–1996) and as Rector of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (1983–1988). Since 1996, he has been an emeritus professor at Aristotle University. His interest and involvement in architecture, art, and the conditions of habitation and environment are also evident from his service as President of several important administrative bodies, including the Panhellenic Association of Architects (1973–1974 and 1974–1975), the National Centre for Social Research (1981–1991), the State Museum of Contemporary Art (1998–2001), the Centre for the Greek Language (2001–2005), the Committee for the “Culture 2000” program of the then EEC (1988–1990), and the “Egnatia Odos” highway project (1995–2001). Additionally, he served as General Director of Higher Education at the Ministry of Education (September–November 1974) and as Minister of Education (1993–1994).
The presentation included elements from a small number of architectural projects completed between 2005 and 2007. Reference was made to studies for architectural works spanning over fifty years since Dimitris Fatouros received his diploma. Comparisons were made between projects, current activities and particularities were discussed, and connections were drawn with earlier characteristics and previous works.