Dimitris Tsakalakis

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.

“Works”

DIMITRIS TSAKALAKIS

He was born in 1961 in Sitia, Crete. He studied architecture at the Catholic University of America, from which he graduated in 1984. From 1984 to 1987, he pursued studies in architecture and urban planning at the Hochschule der Künste (University of the Arts) in Berlin. From 1983 to 1984, he worked at the office ALPHATEC P.C. in Washington, participating in studies for office complexes and government buildings. From 1986 to 1987, he worked at the office K. BRENNER & B. TONON in Berlin, taking part in the studies of: an apartment building on Fuhlbuttlerstrasse in Hamburg, a housing complex and a school in Berlin, the expansion of the Hotel Berlin, the competition “Berlin Zentralerbereich,” and the competition “Berlin Kurfursterdamm.” Since 1988, he has been a member of the Technical Chamber of Greece (T.C.G.) and runs offices in Athens and Sitia. He has participated in a series of exhibitions, publications, and architectural competitions.