Catalogue of the 7th Biennale of Young Greek Architects

Available
Order: info@heliarch.gr
ISBN: 978-960-98072-5-8
PAGES: 240
DIMENSIONS: 21×28 cm

(from the catalogue)
FOREWORD

A Biennale is a type of periodic inventory that aims to showcase the best current work of emerging creators. The Biennale of Young Greek Architects, organized by the Hellenic Institute of Architecture, has a history of seventeen years behind it and, as evidenced by the numerous participants, it has already gained strong recognition among young architects.

However, a Biennale does not merely record the achievements of an era, but highlights certain works from a broader collection as the most notable, capturing through the selections of each committee the ‘imprint’ of the two-year period. In this way, the Biennale becomes an expression of a contemporary architectural ‘style,’ seen from a specific point of view.

The 7th Biennale of Young Greek Architects is characterized by a large number of entries, with a significant percentage of studies distinguished by their high compositional and construction quality. At the same time, it follows in the footsteps of the previous editions, as over the years certain consistent trends in contemporary Greek architecture unfold. This is quite impressive, considering that the members of the selection committees differ from one Biennale to another.

One primary characteristic concerns the quantitatively dominant presence of housing, specifically single-family homes, which constitute the lion’s share of every exhibition. These are simple, high-quality constructions, usually white or made of exposed concrete and stone, environmentally sensitive and without formalist excesses, forming an almost stylistically homogeneous late-modern idiom. Through their overall presence, an implicit but clear and distinct tradition of continuity in the Greek context gradually becomes evident. As contemporary Greek residential architecture has recently been recognized abroad for its high standards, this undoubtedly constitutes a positive development.

At the same time, however, it is indicative of a second, negative characteristic: the continuing absence of significant public projects in the country. Of course, the short time span between Biennales does not allow for the completion of such more complex works. Yet this scarcity, which unfortunately haunts even the younger generations, testifies not only to the long-standing architectural absence from the public realm but, above all, to the lack of broader social interest and a collective vision.

It is clear that in Greece, unlike other countries, significant public architecture is not produced, nor is there sufficient support and encouragement for architects to move in that direction through relevant programs and initiatives. As a result, Greek architects, especially the younger ones, do not participate much in shaping the public face of cities, except through the few opportunities offered by competitions for the design of outdoor spaces and squares or through institutions like Europan.

At the 7th Biennale, some interesting designs of outdoor and urban spaces, as well as interior spaces, are presented, along with studies focused on energy efficiency and bioclimatic orientation. In this, although numerically limited, sample, there are clear tendencies toward experimentation and the search for alternative paths of architectural expression, which are not confined solely to the design of private residences.

Let us not forget that the hundreds of graduates from Greek and foreign schools of architecture represent a huge potential, which, although it cannot be fully absorbed in the current circumstances, can at least contribute to a more balanced and qualitative development of the environment  if we still consider that architecture fundamentally contributes to our culture.

In a period of economic, social, and environmental crisis, while we are already experiencing the Third Industrial Revolution, which is the great challenge of the 21st century, both public and private entities must finally realize that architects constitute an untapped resource that can be used for the common good.

Elias Constantopoulos

President of the H.I.A.