4Κ Architects & X. Athanasopoulou, Α. Theodoropoulou (BLOD)

The Hellenic Institute of Architecture, as part of the 20th lecture series of Greek Architects titled “Lectures & Dialogues,” held the first event of this series on November 14, 2023, at the restaurant of the Benaki Museum Piraeus. The event was recorded by BLOD, and the speeches along with their accompanying presentations are available at the following link:

https://www.blod.gr/lectures/dialekseis-dialogoi-4k-architects-xathanasopoulou-atheodoropoulou/

The Lectures of Greek Architects have historically been a flagship institution of the Hellenic Institute of Architecture (HIA), as over the past twenty years, prominent creators have been invited to present their work. The presentation of the diverse facets of architectural work, as well as their critical examination, have been enduring features of this initiative. The simultaneous presentation of the work of two architectural firms, followed by a dialogue between them and with the audience, is considered to provide an opportunity for public discussion about architecture, its relationship with institutions, and the processes of its production and evaluation, as well as the multiple interpretations it holds in both private and public spaces.

The overall coordination of the lectures on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Institute of Architecture (HIA) was carried out by Anastasios Kotsiopoulos (Architect, Emeritus Professor at AUTh), Dionisis Sotovikis (Architect), and Sofia Tsiraki (Architect, Professor at NTUA).

In the first lecture of the series, participants were:

4Κ Architects(D.Vouteri – Th.Niniou –G. Poulopoulou)

Architectural Composition as an Act of Relationships
Focusing on selected examples from our office’s ten-year journey, we aim to open a dialogue about the way the new interacts with the existing, the line and sketch with the realized space, the built environment with the natural surroundings. A dialogue within which architectural composition develops, becomes a work, with the ultimate goal of forming a harmonious part of the whole.

X. Aθανασοπούλου – Α. Θεοδωροπούλου

Building in the City
Representative projects and studies of the office will be presented in an effort to relate them to each other and highlight the design principles concerning their integration into the urban fabric of the city. Topics to be discussed include the formation of the compositional idea, interaction with the built environment, the creation of intermediate transitional spaces, and the use of materials and colors.

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The team 4k was founded in 2013 by four female architects. Until 2022, it was based at 14 Kanari Street, with Konstantinos Dekavallas serving as advisor. Today, the team consists of Despina Vouteri – granddaughter of Konstantinos Dekavallas – Thaleia Niniou, and Georgia Poulopoulou. Since 2020, architect Louiza Anagnostou has been collaborating as an external associate. The team approaches architectural design in the same way, from large to small scale. The office’s work includes studies and completed proposals for residences, apartment renovations, commercial spaces, as well as participation in architectural competitions. In 2016 and 2017, the office organized the three-day architectural event Arch Points in Athens, an initiative aimed at showcasing the work of young architects in the city.

Despina Vouteri 

She is a licensed architect from the School of Architecture at the University of Patras (2010). From 2005 to 2009, she worked as an apprentice at the office of architect Konstantinos Dekavallas and in 2008 at the ECDM office in Paris. From 2010 to 2013, she worked as a freelancer and as a permanent collaborator with K. Dekavallas.

Thaleia Niniou 

She is a licensed architect from the School of Architecture at the University of Patras (2010). From 2010 to 2013, she worked as a freelancer and as an external collaborator with architectural offices in Athens and Syros. In 2011-2012, she participated in the research program of the School of Architecture at NTUA titled “Changing Characters and Policies in the City Centers of Athens and Piraeus” (scientific supervisor: Assistant Professor P. Tournikiotis). From 2013 to 2015, she attended the Interdepartmental Postgraduate Program in Urban Planning and Spatial Planning at NTUA.

Georgia Poulopoulou

She is a licensed architect from the School of Architecture at the University of Patras (2010). She completed a postgraduate degree in urban planning: DSA (Diplôme de Spécialisation et d’Approfondissement), Architecture and Urban Project, at ENSAPB in Paris in 2013. Subsequently, in 2016, she completed the Interdepartmental Postgraduate Program in Urban and Regional Planning at NTUA. In 2012, she worked at the PAYSARCHITECTURE office in Paris. From 2010 to 2013, she worked as a freelancer.

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Haris Athanasopoulou and Athina Theodoropoulou graduated from the School of Architecture of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) in 2005 and completed their postgraduate studies at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London in 2007.
In 2009, they founded their own architectural firm. Their projects have been awarded, published, and exhibited in architectural shows such as the Biennale of Young Greek Architects and the Structures Awards. In collaboration with other architects, they have participated in national architectural competitions and applied architectural project contests. The architectural team of their office undertakes the complete design and implementation of residential and professional spaces, from the initial concept to the final detailed construction.