Athenian Houses of the Modern Movement, Elliniki Etairia
The publication Athenian Houses of the Modern Movement and the corresponding exhibition at the Benaki Museum (16-30 June 2013) represent the outcome of an extensive documentation project on the houses of the Modern Movement of the 1930s in the city centre and neighbourhoods of Athens. The project was carried out by the Elliniki Etairia – Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage, with the support of the A. G. Leventis Foundation, the Representation of the European Commission in Greece and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. The research and the resulting digital archive is probably the first systematic attempt to document the architecture of Modernism in Greece. Οver 1275 catalogued buildings transport us to the Athens of the interwar years through their linear, clear outlines, reflecting the spirit of an era that marked the city during the first decades of the 20th century. The rounded contours of balconies, geometric windows, an iron art deco door and the perfect spiral of a stairwell all underline the unique aesthetic of these structures. The aim of the programme and the publication is to raise public awareness and emphasise the need to conserve this important part of Athens’ architectural heritage, whose value has yet to be fully appreciated.
Grant given:
2013
