Kyriakos and Adela Kyriakidis

The Hellenic Institute of Architecture organized a new series of lectures by Greek architects titled “HIA Lectures 2009–2010”. 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.

“EXPERIENCES, CONCERNS, WORK SAMPLES FROM 47 YEARS”

KYRIAKOS KYRIAKIDIS

He was born in Alexandria in 1937. He graduated from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) in 1963, and during his studies, as well as for three years afterward — he worked in the office of his professor, Kyprianos Biris, whose influence significantly shaped his later career, particularly his specialization in hospital design. In 1966, he founded his own architectural practice together with his wife, Adela Païzi, and for 35 years collaborated closely with Lina Niakaki, especially in the field of healthcare buildings. The office has designed more than 40 hospitals across Greece, both public and private. They have participated in numerous architectural competitions, many of them related to hospital design, and have received several awards. Beyond their specialization in hospital architecture, the office has undertaken the design of complex high-tech buildings, office and bank buildings, hotels, sports and recreation centers, educational and cultural facilities, and residences. Many of their projects have been published in both Greek and international architectural publications.

Kyriakos and Adela Kyriakidis presented the work of their office with few words and more images, representing 47 years of architectural practice. The guiding principles throughout their career have been consistency and, above all, a commitment to never sacrificing the aesthetic aspect of architecture, even under the constraints and demands of state regulations, or the future-oriented requirements imposed by hospital specialization and advancing electronic technologies.