The Biennale of Young Greek Architects is a series of events that aim at shedding light to a representative sampleย of work of young architects,ย encouraging at the same time the exchange of ideas around the evolution of architectural thought and architectural production in Greece today.
The 8th Biennale of Young Greek Architects takes placeย duringย one of the most critical periods in modernย Greek history. In the midst of the crisis, this yearโs 214 participants areย a sign of encouragement and are there to demonstrate a continuing interest towardsย the wider promotion of architecture. In this sense, this Biennale does not only showcaseย young architects andย interesting projects, but more importantly it sets the wider trends andย directions of contemporary Greek architecture. The selection committee has chosen a total of 59 projects, split between architectural proposals and actualย built projects.
Looking towards the future,ย oneย might say that Greek architecture, at least the one presented here by architects under 45, is being disseminatedย towards multiple directions defined byย the topos, the urban and natural landscape: More decentralized, less centered on house design, and more focused towards public space. It will be interesting to see if theย 9th Biennale that will follow, will be able to express new ideasย bornย through the current multifaceted crisis, which is neither merely local but European, nor merely economic but urban and environmental; or even principles for architecture which may address our collective future. Young architects, obliged as they are to rediscover hope, do not easily give upย ย front of the crisis, and so they invite us to envision along with them an architecture which embodies our era and topos, while it remains steadfastly open and ecumenical.
More info can be found at the Benaki Museum website.