Antonis Noukakis & Bouki Babalou Noukaki

The Hellenic Institute of Architecture organized a new series of lectures by Greek architects titled “HIA Lectures 2008–2009”. The aim of this series was to broaden public awareness regarding the work of architects today. To this end, prominent professionals were selected and invited to present their views on Greek architecture and their own work.

Greek architecture today continues to be a subject under question. Various factors contribute to this, such as the processes involved in the profession, the inadequate implementation 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 mere executors of pre-determined decisions made by construction companies, the issues surrounding Olympic projects, the relationship between architecture and society, the problematic role of Greek artistic and urban architectural tradition, the connection between contemporary architecture and the reality of Greek cities, the state of architectural education, the relationship between Greek and international architecture, the flawed strategy of promoting architecture both in Greece and abroad, and the role of architectural criticism. All of these issues often fail to support true design research and the development of overall architectural quality. Architecture in Greece today still raises unanswered questions—questions that have already been addressed not only in the West but also in many countries of the so-called “Third World.”

This lecture series by the Hellenic Institute of Architecture sought to provide answers to these concerns. The architects invited, most of whom belong to a younger generation, aimed to present both theoretical views on the issues mentioned above and to articulate the principles that shape their personal poetics within the built environment.

“Interpreting the place”

BOUKI BABALOU NOUKAKI

He was born in Thessaloniki and graduated from the School of Architecture at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) in 1970. He has taught Architectural and Urban Design at the School of Architecture of NTUA. He also taught Architectural Composition at the newly established School of Architecture at the Technical University of Crete (2004–2005). Additionally, he taught in the NTUA’s postgraduate program “Design – Space – Culture,” focusing on “The Public Space of the City” (1999–2001). He served as the School of Architecture’s representative on the National Committee of Habitat II (1995–2000) and was a member of ERGASTIRIO 66 (1972–1986).

ANTONIS NOUKAKIS

He was born in Crete. He graduated from the Doxiadis School of Graphic Arts in 1962, where he studied under Yannis Tsarouchis, Thanasis Apartis, and others. He also graduated from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) in 1970. He was a member of ERGASTIRIO 66 (1972–1986) and an advisor to the Artistic and Intellectual Center “ORA” (1975–1985). Since 2002, he has been the director of the firm “Antonis Noukakis and Associates LP.” He was a member of the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) working group on the legal framework of architectural competitions (1989–1991), a representative of the Architects’ Association of Greece (SADAS-PEA) in 1990–1992 and again in 1997, and participated in the SADAS-PEA working group for the revision of Law 716/77 in 1998. He has also served as a judge in architectural competitions.

The architectural office “Antonis Noukakis and Associates LP,” founded by Antonis Noukakis and Bouki Babalou-Noukakis, has been active since 1970, focusing on studies for private and public projects, with emphasis on housing, public open spaces, and university buildings—particularly libraries. Their work has been recognized through five completed projects and awarded in 27 architectural competitions, including two international ones. Their projects have been published in both Greek and international architectural journals.

The presentation referred to a series of urban design and landscaping studies. The main concern in the city is the essence and character of public open spaces and the treatment of landscape as a structural element of the urban fabric. The spatial expression and form of each proposal emerge from the uniqueness of each place and the expression of its identity.