rctech portfolio

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R C TECH A R C H I T E C T U R EC O N S T R U C T I O N& T E C H N O L O G Y

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who we are

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firm profile

R.C.TECH is an architecture firm that provides high-end services and consulting work in the fields of architectural design and construction management.

R.C.TECH has established itself as an effective collaborator in the design and construction process of various challenging projects, always paying attention to site related issues and with the conviction that each project has to be an identifiable architectural work. The firm specializes in the design and construction of:

- Commercial spaces- Banks- Office buildings- Industrial buildings- Hotels- Residential buildings

The firm’s construction department works specifically towards realizing the practice’s design perspective by transforming the initial concept into quality built projects taking into account both time and cost in order to achieve the optimum result functionally and aesthetically.

Our practice at R.C.TECH is founded on the principle of close collaboration as an essential basis of the design and construction process. From that we have developed a basis of trust and confidence that has allowed for successful advances in designs and technologies to be incorporated in major building projects

The office currently consists of 16 staff, including engineers, architects and project managers.

R.C.TECH is working diligently to establish quality and performance objectives. Towards this goal, we have established and maintain a Quality Management

System relevant for Architectural design and consulting, fulfilling the requirements of the ISO 9001:2008 standard. The norm contains a commitment to continuous improvement and a process-orientated approach.

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rctechfirm profile

who we are

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Vassilis Douridas Structural engineer (senior partner)

He graduated from the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki with a degree in structural engineering.He is currently the director in the firm’s construction department. His work includes a significant number of pri-

vate projects, covering a broad spectrum of typologies and specific construction requirements.

Dania Panagiotopoulou Dourida Architect (senior partner)

She graduated from the Architectural School of Rome, La Sapienza. Her work has been widely published both in the domestic and international press , while in 2006 work of hers was shocased in Venice Biennale in the Greek

Pavilion.

Nasos E. Chamilothoris Architect (senior partner)

He graduated from the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki with a degree in architecture.He runs the architecture department. His work has been widely published both in the domestic and international

press while in 2006 work of his was showcase in Venice Biennale in the Greek Pavilion.

Markos Douridas Structural Engineer (junior partner)

He graduated from the NTUA Athens with a degree in structural engineering.He continued his studies in Berkeley University of California where he gained his Masters. He has worked at the

office of Guy Nordenson in New York and he is now a member of R.C.TECH’s construction department.

Giannis Douridas Architect (junior partner)

He studied architecture in London Metropolitan University and he received his Masters from the Architectural Association in London. He has worked as an architect in Kohn Pedersen Fox in London on projects like the new Abu Dhabi Airport and the Shanghai Expo Opera House. His work has been widely published in both local and

international magazines.

senior and junior members

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whosenior and junior members

bios

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r.c.tech family

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Architectural Design

R.C.TECH constitutes an integrated production unit providing technical services dealing mainly with pri-vate projects. Design, is the outcome of intensive work at R.C.TECH, always based upon aesthetic and functional criteria adapting to the project’s specific budget. We pay great attention to Supervision in order to ensure that all individual aspects of the Design will be implemented accordingly.

Sustainable Design

In R.C.TECH we follow the philosophy of designing buildings and offering services in such way so that we comply with the fundamental principles of economic, social, and ecological sustainability. We always explore new ways to make our buildings more efficient and sustainable.

Construction and Project Management

The Construction and Project Management package of services is the main tool developed and offered by R.C.TECH’s Construction team so that the quality of architectural design is expanded to the realization of the project. Furthermore, cost, program and construction specifications are addressed throughout all phases of development, ensuring that the project budget and schedule are met.

Additionally, we have developed a system that is based on the principles of:

- Thorough understanding of client’s needs.

- Continuous contact with the client along with extensive project supervision.

- Meeting deadlines and satisfying obligations undertaken.

& Co.r.c.tech family

people

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what we do

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The building is located on a 350m2 plot near the center of Athens and houses the offices of R.C.TECH. The basic design principles were the consistency with the firm’s architectural work and vision along with the sustainability of the

building. The design is characterized by simple geometry, functionality in spaces and extensive use of modern and efficient materials and systems. The building is developed in five levels along the East-West axis allowing natural light to enter the building in a controlled manner, thus creating a feeling of comfort to its users. Technologies and design strategies regarding sustainability include: - Optimal orientation for the building and its openings - Active and passive solar systems for cooling and heating of the building lower-ing energy consumption and increasing the feeling of comfort- Sun-light control unit with aluminum louvers along the building’s west face- High-end aluminum window framing and low-e; glass facades for minimum thermal losses- Use of ceiling capillary system for cooling and heating of the building- Full external thermal insulation reducing the number of thermal bridges.- Aluminum sheet covering for the buildings north face for wind break effect- Regulation of building’s condition through an electronic Building Management System (BMS)- Use of green roofing

The construction was partly funded by the European Union through a subsidies program for the design and construction of sustainable buildings.

sustainable offices

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HQsustainable offices

Athens

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Partly unded by the European UnionDesigned with the help of ΚΑΠΕ-CRESMonitored by the National Kapodis-

trian University of Athens

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family residence

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homefamily residence

Dionysos Athens

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The house is designed to accommodate a family of four and is located in a plot of land measuring 900 sq.m. in the northern part of Athens.

It is split in 5 levels, each one accommodating a different function of the family. In the lower level, one can find

parking space and all the mechanical systems. The indoor swimming pool is located in the next one overlooking the front garden. The living room with the kitchen and the dining room are placed on the ground floor, giving a unique view to the Penteli Mountain in the South. On the first floor are the bedrooms and finally on the upper -attic level, one can find a more secluded office space.

All of materials used on the interiors are based on the owners desire for a ‘warm’ spatial experience. Planks of oak wood are used for the floor while wood decking like the ones found on sailing yachts has been used for the areas surrounding the swimming pool, the office and certain areas in the garden. Locally quarried

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The design of the foot bridge is based on a single brush stroke. A strong dynamic line that emphasises the light-ness of the shape giving the bridge a strong visual iden-tity. The structure provides a unique reference point to the area, supporting the effort to attract development and help unify the two sides of the Sheffield Parkway.

The footbridge consists of a steel arc structural system fixed to two reinforced concrete embankments, offering a high level of stability to the users.

The Lighting design has been incorporated into the structure, following the single stroke over and under the bridge, allowing the shape to stand out in the darkness. Lighting channels follow the curvature of the supporting structure emitting a soft glow and creating a unique lighting solution.

The width of the foot bridge fluctuates between four and six and a half meters providing generous space to both foot and equestrian traffic. The parapets are made of laminated glass with a smoked gradient, giving an opaque surface until 60cm and then gradually turning transparent as it reaches its final height of 1.8m. The entire path follows a gradient of 1 in 15.

In collaboration with JASON SPILIOTAKOS ARCHITECTS

parkway iconic bridge

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bridgeparkway iconic bridge

Sheffield UK

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ΔΟΜΕΣ awards 2011honorable mention in the cate-gory BEST PROJECT 2008-2010

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summer house

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borgosummer house

Kythira

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The medieval settlement of Borgo Serato (Messa Vourgo) and its wall surrounds the northern part of the Venetian castle of Chora in Kythira. The settlement is practically an open archaeological site with old houses and numer-ous Christian orthodox temples (privato) belonging to various families of the is-land. A small residential complex of two houses in this area, with very interesting

architectural characteristics, was succesfully restored by R.C.TECH. Features such as thick stone walls, small openings and different roof levels compose the geometry of the two houses; a geometry very familiar to local architecture. The restora-tion of these two old houses was performed through the preservation of the buildings’ shell and with the help of local craftsmen and materials.

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summer house

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southsummer house

Elounda Crete

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The house is located at Plaka in the Gulf of Spinaloga-Crete. It is a family house operated on a year round basis. Capable of accommodating all of the family the complex consists of two levels being developed in the main building and an swimming pool area.

Chosen for their aging quality and local vernacular looks, materials like quarried stone and colored lime will blend with the simple, monolithic volumes that refer to the Cretan building typology. A 3m high wall, made of stone, is situated in the north-east part of the plot, protecting the building from the local prominent winds while also serving as a privacy barrier.

The general spatial arrangement follows the ground contours so the local landscape is not over-worked. On the upper level, the swimming pool and the accessible roof garden can be found, overlooking the main house’s volume and the exquisite view towards the open sea. Moving down a level, the living and dining rooms but also the kitchen and a small office are all fitted in the ground floor level. A great veranda, conveniently situated next to the kitchen offers great views while also providing with a shaded outdoor area. Finally, the bedrooms and all of the storage rooms and garage are located in the lower level.

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textile distribution facility

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fabtextile distribution facility

Athens

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The aim of the design was to produce an elegant and highly functional building. It consists of two parallel zones, one for office use and the second for storage.

Sustainability and rationality were two key elements of the design. The structure is located in Metamorphosi and it is made out of steel covered externally with aluminum insulating panels. The shading of the building’s facades is achieved with the use of a horizontal louvers system. Their movement is adjusted automatically with the use of sensors that monitor the sun’s position.

At the front side of the plot and along the building’s main facade there is an outdoor water pool providing passive cooling during summer and working as an emergency water tank in case of a fire.

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2nd price at the 2005 Greek Archi-tecture Awards in the category Public Buildings

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Kythea Resort is a four star hotel complex in the island of Kythira and partly fills the need for high class tourism units on the island. The complex is equipped with 32 comfortable rooms with sea views, a large pool and vast public spaces - bar, sitting rooms, meeting room etc.

The design borrowed and redefined local traditional forms while at the same time using modern systems taking into consideration the needs and specifications of a luxurious accommodation unit. R.C.TECH undertook both architectural and interior design work.

kythea resort

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kytheakythea resort

Kythira

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This new shopping mall designed by R.C.TECH is located close to Athens in the suburb of Pikermi, right on the commercial road of Marathonos Avenue. It con-sists of a main building of 1.400 square meters.

Early on during the design process it was stated that the building should be an impressive landmark able to be distin-guished in an area full of visual noise from the surrounding mixed-use buildings. It should also be a point of interest to the local market.

The architectural solution was based on the geometric characteristics of a speeding ferry boat, with its stern compart-ment projecting over the street and shaping a protective overhang.

In the center of the plan, one can experience a more protected atrium sur-rounded by the glass walls of the shops. A round skylight on the floor provides with enough natural light the underground spaces underneath. The upper floor accommodates more shopping area while at the roof one can enjoy a drink from the roof-garden bar.

shopping mall

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sffshopping mall

Pikermi Athens

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summer houses

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hillsummer houses

lagadia hill Kythira

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In the position Liofyto near Kapsali, on a large plot of 5100m2, three houses

were designed. The location is subjected to the distant but strong presence of the Venetian-built Castle of Chora and so there was an effort for the three main volumes to be integrated as smoothly as possible in the landscape. The design is simple, mostly open planned but with

distinct functions and clear references to the traditional rural houses of Kythira. The landscape is characterized by scattered olive trees, small plateaus and old stone walls.

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The house with the sundial

The Cavallini Residence or the “House with the Sundial”, as it most commonly known on the island, is a landmark building for the village of Avlemonas and holds all the characteristics of a significant monument. In close collaboration with the current owner, descendant of the Cavallini family,

R.C.TECH undertook the full restoration of the historic house, with great care and respect to its architectural features and unique history.

The reconstruction of the house included a long list of works such as the rein-forcement of the masonry walls, new plastering works and the restoration of var-ious architectural features such as the sundial above the main entrance and the

stone frames around the doors and windows. The aim of the architec-tural study was to highlight the plasticity of the build-ing and to reinstate the positive aura that the building holds. During this process, additional features showing the ingenuity of the original design and the craftsmanship of that time, were kept and fully restored (e.g. the elegant setup of the rain water collection).

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1806The house with the sundial

Kythira

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In the position Liofyto near Kapsali, on a large plot of 5100m2, three houses

were designed. The location is subjected to the distant but strong presence of the Venetian-built Castle of Chora and so there was an effort for the three main volumes to be integrated as smoothly as possible in the landscape. The design is simple, mostly open planned but with

distinct functions and clear references to the traditional rural houses of Kythira. The landscape is characterized by scattered olive trees, small plateaus and old stone walls.

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house revisit

This is a two-story house overlooking the gulf of Evoikos. This building was one of the very first projects of R.C.TECH’s people (Design Construction: 1986 – 1989). So, the renovation that was asked by the

current owners of the house became immediately an inter-esting design project; a revisit by the architect of the original study.

The request was clear: the house had to regain its original “aura” which was partially lost because of certain interventions that were done and of the time that had passed. In particular the aim was not only to renovate but also to strengthen the original design by implementing features that were left out from the original study due to restrictions at the time of the original construction. The house remains modern and minimal, affiliated by the surrounding environment, providing the residents with privacy and an open view towards the sea.

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re-newhouse revisit

Neos Voutzas Athens

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In the position Liofyto near Kapsali, on a large plot of 5100m2, three houses

were designed. The location is subjected to the distant but strong presence of the Venetian-built Castle of Chora and so there was an effort for the three main volumes to be integrated as smoothly as possible in the landscape. The design is simple, mostly open planned but with

distinct functions and clear references to the traditional rural houses of Kythira. The landscape is characterized by scattered olive trees, small plateaus and old stone walls.

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fashion lab

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theiafashion lab

Metaxourgeio Athens

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The listed building on the corner of Paramithias and Thermopylon st. in Metak-

sourgeio was fully restored in order to host a fashion de-signer’s modern atelier (www.theialab.com). The building is devel-oped in three levels and is a typical example of Athens’ neo-classic architecture, dating back to the beginning of 20th century. The basic ideas behind the new design were:

-simplification of the building’s shell through the use of single coloring on the exterior surface and the creation of open spaces inside, replacing the existing small rooms and various compartments-successful implementation of modern amenities and functions in an old neoclassic building-creation of clear forms, inside and outside, with long, clear lines and continuous spaces-flexibility in function and allowable activities

The construction process involved, among other things, the reinforcement of the structural system, the replacement of the wooden roof, the placement of

new doors and windows and the restoration of unique architec-tural elements through the use of modern conservation techniques.

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Millennium bank commenced its operations in September 2000 (under the

brand name NovaBank) and has a network of 178 branches in Greece (150 Retail Banking branches, 25 Business Banking and Factoring units, and 3 Private Banking centers).

R.C.TECH, in collaboration with architect Costis Perifanakis, was assigned to design all of the bank’s retail branches along with the Business and Private Banking network.

Provided with the corporate identity, expressed through the bank’s logo, colors and patterns, our designers came up with a design that uses a variety of materials such as granite, stainless steel, glass and wood along

with the use of surfaces colored in yellow, red and white. The aim of the design was to reflect the bank’s desire for innovative, fast and reliable services in everyday banking transactions but also to overcome difficulties pertaining to the remodeling and/or conversion of preexisting spaces.

nova-millennium

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banknova-millennium

150 stores around Greece

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printing facility

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printprinting facility

Athens

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This new printing and graphic arts unit is located in the Industrial Park outside Kalyvia, Attica. The building houses the firm’s offices (2400m2) along with the printing area and equipment (pre-press and printing functions). The form of the building is rectangular, measuring 50m x 120m with a height of 9m in the

production plan. It is a steel building with a roof structure made out of wood. On the west side of the building, solar radiation is treated by aluminum moving blinds

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Artemida Village restoration

Project sponsored by the Cypriot Goverment and built by J&P AVAX

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hopeArtemida Village restoration

Artemida-Peloponnisos

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The fires of August 2007 in Peloponnesus hit hard the mountainous village of Artemida.

The settlement comprises of many traditional buildings that were damaged heavily by the fires. In the context of the support and help from Cyprus to Greece, the Cypriot government undertook the Reconstruction and Restruc-turing of the local community of Artemida. In the project’s contract between the Cypriot government and J&P-Avax S.A., R.C.TECH undertook the preparation of the architectural design for the recon-struction and restoration of 22 houses. Most of the houses are two-story high, fairly impressive and positioned perpendicularly to the hypso-metrical curves of the ground. The ground levels are typically designated for storage and animal containment while the first floor is the main residential area.

The Architecture of the buildings is characterized by the exposed masonry and the small symmetric openings. The roofs are typically sloped covered with roof tiles. The particular traditional elements of the buildings are preserved and still show the experience and aes-thetics of the old craftsmen. These elements can be found at the roof’s finishes, the external stairs made out of stone, the dome structures, the fireplaces, the conches and the traditional wine press. The reconstructed settlement will pro-vide a great deal of relief to the victims of the fires and its final state will elevate

the rich architectural heritance. In the design team with Sofia Kavala as the supervisor the following people participated: Sarah Rizou and Christina Kontou.

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apartments building

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blockapartments building

Loutraki

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On a plot of 500m2 in Loutraki, R.C.TECH designed this modern apartment building with views to the West.

The building consists of five levels, a ground floor on pilotis and a basement level with parking area and auxiliary spaces.

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The settlement of Gerakari is located on the northern part of Kythira compris-

ing of scattered houses with views towards the cape of Cavo Malea.

The house that was designed for a large French family, has a total surface area of 350m2 and is located on an isolated hilltop with north-east orientation near the Gerakari settlement. The big atrium at the center of the unit is a living core sur-rounded by roofed verandas, shell domes and roof levels with great views. The project was included in the catalog of the Greek pavilion of the 10th Internation-

al Architecture Exhibition in Venice - 10th Architectural Biennale of Venice.

Vacation family house

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hamletVacation family house

Kythira

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Showcased in the Greek National Pavilion in the 2006 architecture VENICE BIEN-NALE

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Athens is a city with extreme climatic conditions in terms of summer heat and dryness. The main problem observed in typical high rise buildings in Athens, is their overheating and lack of fresh air due to their tight exterior enclosure and their dependency on HVAC systems. The year round costs for cooling those buildings, absorbs more than 40% of their annual energy costs.

This proposal is based on the notion that by implement-ing the existing building with a second outer skin will minimize those costs by self ventilating and self shad-owing the main building during the summer months.

The new skin is equipped with variations of the same design component in the micro scale that creates areas of shadow and extra pockets of insulation. The global shape, is designed to manipulate the natural currents of air in order to self ventilate the building. This means that the shaft created between the existing building and the new intervention is an area the wind, in low velocities, passes by and thus the occupants can open the windows.

sustainable tower

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GREENsustainable tower

Athens

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The trophy of any race is a reward that symbolizes victory. A memento that attempts to freeze and immortalize a great personal achievement in time. The

design of this years Rally Acropolis trophy tries to capture this very moment of victory as well as the route that this international competition has taken throughout its history and within the Greek Landscape.

Its strict geometry is directly associated with ancient historic commemorative

stones which narrate important battles and events. Its material, the white marble of Dionysos, is the same marble used in the monuments of the Acropolis. Its wooden detail from the Greek olive tree functions to depict and imitate the Greek landscape and define Greek tradition.

The piece of marble varies in thickness, exposing its monolithic nature and revealing its transparency as it gets thinner.The wood of the olive tree flows into the surface and geometry of the marble while simultaneously provides a contrast with the whiteness the marble reflects.

Rally Acropolis Trophy Design

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plinthRally Acropolis Trophy Design

2011

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1_the block

2_pressure

3_stretching

4_applying curvature

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lectures & events

2007 Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki“Sustainable Architects”2008 Syros Cyclades Sustainable Energy Conference“Sustainable vernacular architecture”2008 Kythira Development Con-ference“Green Design at Kythira”2008-present Pecha Kucha organising and hosting the events2011 Athens Biennale“Urban Common Logic”2012 ESW Conferencehosting the event

exhibitions

2006 Greek Architecture AwardsBenaki Museum2006 Venice Architecture Bien-nale perticipation in the Greek Pavillion2010 Young Greek Architects BiennaleBenaki Museum2010 Domes Architecture AwardsTravelling exhibition

awards

2006 Greek Architecture Awards2nd award in the category ‘Industrial Buildings’.2010 Domes Architecture AwardsHonorable mention in the category ‘Best project year 2008-2010’.2012 [B] Green Awards RED magazine 2nd award in the category ‘Sustain-able building in Greece’.

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contact

Chatzioannou 6115 24 AthensGreece+30 210 [email protected]

www.rctech.gr

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www.rctech.gr