Catalogue of the 4th Biennale of Young Greek Architects

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ISBN: 960-85742-8-5
Pages: 88
Dimensions: 21×28 cm

(from the catalogue)
FOREWORD

The Biennale of Young Greek Architects, organized for the fourth time by the Hellenic Institute of Architecture, has become an established institution in the architectural scene of our country as well as one of the few opportunities to foster a dialogue about the future course of Architecture in Greece.

The timing of the exhibition, organized immediately after the Olympic Games, offers the opportunity for a broader discussion that will not be limited solely to the future but also to the present, and especially to what we have all been continuously witnessing in recent years: the ongoing devaluation of architecture and the role of architects in our country.

Thus, the Hellenic Institute of Architecture decided to elevate the role of the selection committee by inviting five important theorists and architects to reflect on the submitted material and select the works for the exhibition. Consequently, there is a dual function that the exhibition visitor is invited to recognize: on one hand, the five texts by the critics, and on the other, their selections.

The work of the colleagues was undoubtedly difficult because no strict rules were established in the call for entries, nor was a specific theme given. Thus, the wide range of the 117 submitted proposals does not lend itself to a clear classification or identification of trends, and this is reflected in the five texts. In other words, it is not possible to determine what the current trends in Greek architecture are.

On the other hand, we must not forget that Greek architects do not work in a vacuum or in isolation. In an era where information is more than sufficient and access to it is very easy, the young architect is bombarded with images that become dominant, while at the same time the design tools available offer endless possibilities for producing “virtual” captivating spaces. However, could this trend we observe in the works of the exhibition be an expression of escape from a reality that is so disappointing for young architects?

This atmosphere of confusion that seems to prevail among the younger generation is further intensified by the broader picture presented by the international architectural scene. When a building is praised on one hand by critics but condemned by its users, or when an internationally renowned name is built not on realized work but on captivating proposals, the very essence and fundamental nature of Architecture is shaken. All the above issues, as well as reflections on the concept of continuity or discontinuity in Greek architecture, and on the phenomena observed in Greek urban development, are addressed both in the critics’ texts and in the submitted proposals. I believe these will serve as a starting point for the dialogue we seek to foster.

I would like to once again thank the five distinguished colleagues Giannis Aisopos, Aristeidis Antonas, Andreas Giakoumakatos, Kostas Manolidis, and Panagiotis Tournikiotis for their very significant contribution to this exhibition. Without them, the Biennale would have lost its meaning.

I also need to thank the Municipality of Athens, the company Bright for their generous sponsorship, the lighting design and installation of the exhibition, and the Technopolis organization for all the assistance they provided in co-organizing the exhibition and especially for granting the venue.

Finally, I thank the member of the Board of Directors of the HIA, colleague Katerina Yamalaki, for the exhibition design, and the staff of the HIA for the entire organization and the editing of the catalogue.

Professor Emeritus Nikos Kalogeras 
President of the Hellenic Institute of Architecture