MOB Architects

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.

“Building in Attica”

Vasilis Baskozos (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki 1979) and Dareia Tsagkaraki (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki 1988) form the “MOB Architects.” Their firm has undertaken building projects of various scales such as industrial buildings, office buildings, public buildings, public outdoor spaces, many private residences and housing complexes, as well as interior spaces. The team has been nominated twice to participate in the European Architectural Competition “Mies Van Der Rohe Awards” (2003, 2005). In the Greek Institute of Architecture’s “Architecture Awards 2004,” they were honored with the First Prize for Best Residence for the years 1999-2004 for their project “Vacation House in Porto Rafti” and received a distinction for the project “Office Building Complex in Nea Kifissia.”

Excerpt from the lecture:

Our work as architects lies in designing building projects for specific clients who request them. Constructing as consistent buildings as possible does not change the overall landscape. At this level, the buildings we construct are simply specks of goodwill scattered in the Attica landscape. However, what we try to do is ensure local conditions of pleasant living using primarily the tools of structures, visual perspectives, textures, and colors of materials.