Catalogue of the 5th Biennale of Young Greek Architects

Available
Order: info@heliarch.gr
ISBN: 978-960-98072-0-3
Pages: 116
Dimensions: 21×28 cm

(from the catalogue)
FOREWORD

This year’s Biennale of Young Greek Architects, organized for the fifth time by the Hellenic Institute of Architecture, shows both similarities and differences compared to the previous edition. First of all, it should be emphasized that participation this year was the largest since the institution’s inception in 1995. Once again, the H.I.A. did not impose strict rules in the call for entries, nor was a specific theme set. The result was 169 submissions representing all kinds of architectural activities, ranging from international and national competitions to experimental constructions without a specific functional purpose. Although the design proposals whether utopian or not greatly outnumbered realized projects, in the final selection of 59 distinguished works, half (28) were completed projects.

The purpose of the Biennale, as has been repeatedly emphasized, is not only to help promote the work of younger Greek architects but also to foster dialogue among creators a broader conversation about Architecture in our country, given the very limited opportunities available for such exchanges. Thus, the dichotomy that may appear between theoretical proposals and realized projects offers yet another opportunity for discussion and reflection on the conditions of architectural practice in Greece.

Another topic of the dialogue is the allure of digital design. The virtual space lends itself to easy experimentation and morphological exploration, but it can also lead the designer into a “virtual” design that is, the design of forms and spaces that do not even touch upon material reality. Without denying the contribution of these design acrobatics to the evolution of architecture, I must observe that the possibilities offered by computers often provide an excuse for those who are unable to express, through their design proposals, the concerns and ideological struggles of the society in which they live.

I would like to thank my colleagues, Professors Tasos Kotsiopoulos and Stavros Gyftopoulos, for their diligent and long-term work in selecting the projects, as well as the Benaki Museum for co-organizing and providing the venue for the exhibition, and also the Ministry of Culture, the company ETEM, and the lighting company Bright for their generous sponsorship.

Finally, I extend special thanks to the General Secretary of the H.I.A., colleague Katerina Yamalaki, for the exhibition design, and to the staff of the H.I.A. for the overall organization and for editing the catalogue.

Nikos Kalogeras, Professor Emeritus NTUA

President of the Hellenic Institute of Architecture