Welcome to the OLIAROS blog. The blog aims to communicate what inspires, empowers and guides our initiatives and projects.
OLIAROS engages contemporary architecture to develop innovative micro-environments that blend with and respect their natural and urban surroundings with an aim to set new quality standards for contemporary living. OLIAROS works closely with talented architects and other professionals, empowering valuable synergies in creating all its projects.
OLIAROS launched its first project, AntiparosDesignProperties in 2004 and introduced a concept of low density housing on the island of Antiparos, Cyclades. The project includes 24 properties on 500.000 m2 of land. It has received international recognition for respecting the Cycladic landscape by re- interpreting the traditional Cycladic Architecture in contemporary ways.
In the summer of 2006, OLIAROS began its latest project in the area of Kerameikos- Metaxourgeio (KM), a downtown neighborhood in Athens’ City Center.
As part of our interest in the Kerameikos-Metaxourgeio area, OLIAROS has maintained a paced and holistic approach in contributing to the re-energizing of one of the oldest and rundown neighborhoods of Athens. An approach that includes non-profit initiatives attempting to address a range of social, urban, and other issues that affect the quality of our daily lives.
In 2007 OLIAROS established the not for profit organization ReMapKM, which organizes bi-annually the contemporary art platform ReMap. The event has since taken place in 2007 and 2009, running in parallel to the Athens Biennial. ReMap takes place across a variety of locations within Kerameikos-Metaxourgeio. In an effort to draw positive attention to the area, ReMap provides a new way to access, interpret, share and experience contemporary art in Athens within a vibrant and challenging urban context, creating constructive discussions and dialogues.
In 2008 OLIAROS co-founded with Kerameikos-Metaxourgeio (KM) residents and professionals, the not for profit organization KM Protypi Geitonia, a physical and virtual social platform, whose goal is to share ideas, research, and propositions amongst people with an interest in KM. Protypi Geitonia aims to work constructively with the various stakeholders that may contribute to the evolution of the area such as Government, Municipality, Press, Trade, etc.
In line with our interest to work with and support young architects, OLIAROS launched in June 2009, the international architectural competition UPTO35 inviting architects up to 35 years old, to design a viral student housing typology to be applied in Kerameikos-Metaxourgeio (KM).
To conclude the competition, OLIAROS announced the competition winners, Joao Pedro Ruivo Prates and Rachel Oliveira in April 2010. Their winning design forms the basis for:
“18+ student housing” OLIAROS’ first announced development initiative in KM which will be implemented in the coming year with the construction of a student housing complex in the KM area.
In KM, OLIAROS aims to contribute to creating a new cultural and urban identity for Athens by introducing a socially inclusive model that values the role of contemporary architecture in both the private and public space. A model that fosters the creative synergies created by concentrating multidisciplinary Greek and international talent in one geographical area and highlights the importance of a constructive participatory process among all relative stakeholders.
OLIAROS continues to originate and support a number of initiatives to help realize this collective vision.
Iasson Tsakonas
Managing Director
