GREEK ARCHITECTURE AWARDS 2012

Overview

In the 'GREEK ARCHITECTURE AWARDS 2012' sixteen works were shortlisted and are presented in this issue. Within this group of top-ranking designs there are eight built works, four first buildings by young architects, and four projects. There are eight works of a residential character, two relating to higher education and another two related to production among them. Most of the works are of small or very small scale, which is indicative of the orientation of the bulk of commercial or institutional commissions and works. Once again there were too few submissions of social infrastructure and urban scale designs.

Roughly half the works are of a communal use character. Of these, three are of a public nature. Of these three, only one is in Greece. The other two are distinguished entries in international architectural competitions, a fact which is indicative of a quality potential which is not finding a field of expression within the country. It is also significant that most of the works of a public character which have achieved distinction were commissioned by private citizens or groups. The recent re-introduction of the institution of architectural competitions for state projects may –if it is implemented by the Administration, which is by no means certain where the Greek State is concerned– prove a way out of this situation.