Yiannis Koukis

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.

“TYPOLOGY, PLACE, SPACE”

YIANNIS KOUKIS

He was born in Athens and studied at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany), graduating in 1968 under the supervision of Professor Egon Eiermann. He taught Architectural Design at the School of Architecture of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) from 1975 to 2008 (Design Division I), and the course “Urban Space and Housing” in the postgraduate program “Design–Space–Culture” from 1998 to 2001. He was elected Professor in 1996. He served as Director of the Laboratory of Building Design (1992–2008) and as Deputy Chair of the School of Architecture (1995–1997). As a practicing architect, he worked in close collaboration with architect Angelos Alchitzoglou, particularly between 1975 and 1995 (and occasionally until 2005).

His architectural works, designs, and articles have been published in books and architectural journals in Greece and abroad.