Housing in Greece from the 20th to the 21st century

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ISBN: 978-960-98072-1-0
Pages: 112
Dimensions: 21×28 cm
Editor: Marianna Milioni

INTRODUCTION

Housing in Greece today

Almost all Greek architects have dealt with housing at some point in their professional lives. Statistics show that it is often their first and in many cases, only field of work. However, it is not an easy subject, for many reasons, both external and internal. Among the external factors, we can include the broader socio-economic conditions of our country and the roles played by the various stakeholders involved in its production. Internally, the most dominant factor is the relationship between the user-client and the architect. This particular relationship is especially significant for the final architectural outcome, because it allows us to discern how successful or not the essential dialogue for architectural creation has been.

This exhibition also aims to demonstrate that interesting architectural works are the result of collective processes rather than the isolated effort or vision of a single individual – the architect.

On the other hand, the works included in the exhibition do not represent architectural proposals that refer to revivals of historicist or folk-inspired aesthetic views, which, unfortunately, are quite prevalent today. Both the selection committee and the Institute believe that such revivals are not in keeping with the dynamic nature of our time. Not only do they fail to promote or showcase Greek architecture, both within and beyond Greece, but they also degrade the built environment and do not contribute to the elevation of our aesthetic standards.

The exhibition also does not attempt to fully cover a phenomenon that is so particular to our country: the polykatoikia (apartment building) the dominant building type that has shaped the character of our cities over the past sixty years. Its birth, evolution, and the various efforts to move beyond unchecked and uncritical commercialization are now subjects of ongoing research and would require a separate exhibition of their own.

I would first like to thank the more than 100 fellow architects who entrusted us with their work, as well as the sponsors—ALUMIL, ASCO, CPI, GRAVANIS LIGHTING, GIANNIS DELOUDIS, DIACHRONIKI, DOMES, ELLINIKES KATASKEVES, EXRO and RINOL, KTIRIO, MIPECO, QUALITY, SCHÜCO, SETOFFEL, BANDALUX, STO, and YLI & KIRIO—whose generous contributions made this exhibition a reality. Finally, special thanks must go to colleagues Alexandros Tombazis and Stavros Gyftopoulos, who organized and designed the exhibition; to the project selection committee, chaired by Professor Dimitris Fatouros; and to the staff of the Hellenic Institute of Architecture—Director Marianna Milioni and the always active Iro Foutrou.

N.Kalogeras , Architect

President of the H.I.A.