4Κ Architects & X. Athanasopoulou, Α. Theodoropoulou

The Hellenic Institute of Architecture held the first event of the 20th series of lectures by Greek architects, titled, “Lectures & Dialogues”, on Tuesday, November 14, at 19:00, at the Benaki museum on Pireos Street.

The Lectures of Greek Architects have historically been an iconic establishment of the Hellenic Institute of Architecture (HIA). Over the past twenty years, distinguished creators have been invited to present their work. The presentation of the diverse facets of architectural practice, alongside critical discussion, has been a consistent hallmark of this initiative. The simultaneous presentation of the work of two architectural firms, followed by a dialogue between them and with the audience, is intended to spark public conversation about architecture—its relationship with establishments, the processes of its production and critique, and its multiple expressions in both private and public spaces.

The overall coordination of the lectures on behalf of the Board of Directors of the HIA was undertaken by Anastasios Kotsiopoulos (Architect, Emeritus Professor at AUTH), Dionisis Sotovikis (Architect), and Sofia Tsiraki (Architect, Professor at NTUA).

In the first lecture of the series, the participants were:

4Κ Architects (D.Vouteri – Th.Niniou – G.Poulopoulou)
Architecture as an act of relationships

Focusing on selected examples from our office’s ten-year journey, we aim to open a dialogue about the way the new interacts with the existing, the line and sketch with the realized space, the built environment with the natural surroundings. A dialogue within which architectural composition develops and becomes a work, with the ultimate goal of forming a harmonious part of the whole.

X.Athanasopoulou – A.Theodoropoulou
Building in the city

Representative projects and studies of the office will be presented, in an effort to relate them to one another and highlight the design principles in relation to their integration within the urban fabric. Topics such as the formation of the compositional idea, interaction with the built environment, the creation of intermediate transitional spaces, and the use of materials and colors will be addressed.

The architectural team 4k was founded in 2013 by four female architects. Until 2022, the office was located at Kanari 14, with Konstantinos Dekavallas acting as an advisor. Today, the team consists of Despina Vouteri—granddaughter of Konstantinos Dekavallas—Thaleia Niniou, and Georgia Poulopoulou. Since 2020, architect Louiza Anagnostou has participated as an external collaborator. The team approaches architectural composition with the same mindset from large to small scale. The office’s work includes studies and realized proposals for residences, apartment renovations, commercial spaces, as well as participation in architectural competitions. In 2016 and 2017, the office organized Arch Points in Athens, a three-day architectural event aimed at promoting the activities of young architects in the city.

Despina Vouteri
She holds a diploma in architecture from the School of Architecture at the University of Patras (2010). From 2005 to 2009, she worked as an apprentice at the office of architect K. Dekavallas, and in 2008 at the ECDM office in Paris. From 2010 to 2013, she worked as a freelance architect and as a permanent collaborator of K. Dekavallas.

Thaleia Niniou
She holds a diploma in architecture from the School of Architecture at the University of Patras (2010). From 2010 to 2013, she worked as a freelance architect and as an external collaborator in architectural offices in Athens and Syros. In 2011–2012, she participated in the research program of the NTUA School of Architecture titled “Transforming Characters and Policies in the City Centers of Athens and Piraeus” (scientific coordinator: Associate Professor P. Tournikiotis). From 2013 to 2015, she attended the Interdepartmental Postgraduate Program in Urban and Regional Planning at NTUA.

Georgia Poulopoulou
She holds a diploma in architecture from the School of Architecture at the University of Patras (2010). In 2013, she completed a postgraduate degree in urban planning (DSA – Diplôme de Spécialisation et d’Approfondissement) in Architecture et Projet Urbain at ENSAPB in Paris. She later completed the Interdepartmental Postgraduate Program in Urban and Regional Planning at NTUA in 2016. In 2012, she worked at the PAYSARCHITECTURE office in Paris. From 2010 to 2013, she worked as a freelance architect.

Xaris Athanasopoulou and Athina Theodoropoulou graduated from the School of Architecture at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) in 2005 and completed their postgraduate studies at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London, in 2007.
In 2009, they founded their own architectural office. Their work has been awarded, published, and exhibited in architectural exhibitions (Biennale of Young Greek Architects, DOMES Awards). In collaboration with other architects, they have participated in national architectural competitions and competitions for built projects. Their office undertakes the complete design and implementation of residential and commercial spaces, from the initial concept to the final detailed construction.

Photographs:
4Κ Architects

• Summer House in Kampos
  Year: 2021
  Photographer: M. Bisti
• House by the Sea
  Year: 2020
  Photographer: Ap. Studio Taf
• Creative Office “Wiz Creative”
  Year: 2017
  Photographer: D. Kleanthis

Xaris Athanasopoulou – Athina Theodoropoulou

• Office and Retail Building in Vrilissia
  Year: 2020
  Photographer: G. Gerolympos
• Commercial Building in Vrilissia
  Year: 2021
  Photographer: G. Messaritakis

#eialectures20