*by Katerina Tsourtsoula
The architectural event “Nikos Ktenas – Topologies” was successfully concluded on December 12 at the packed “Lighthouse” Hall of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC). Organized by ek architectural magazine, under the auspices of the Hellenic Institute of Architecture, the event highlighted Nikos Ktenas’ significant contribution to contemporary Greek architecture, architectural education, and culture, through presentations that shed light on aspects of his built and teaching work in Greece, Italy, and Switzerland.
The symposium opened with a short excerpt from the TV program “Urban Landscape,” which was dedicated to Nikos Ktenas. The first speaker was Panayotis Tournikiotis, Professor Emeritus at the National Technical University of Athens and President of the Hellenic Institute of Architecture, who presented the architect’s work within the legacy of modern rationalism. He was followed by Pierre-Alain Croset, Professor at the Politecnico di Milano, who spoke about Nikos Ktenas’ teaching work in Milan and at the Accademia di Architettura in Mendrisio. Rena Sakellaridou, Professor Emerita at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, highlighted the influence of the Ticino School on Ktenas’ work through its distinctive relationship between modern architecture and place. Next, Manolis Stavrakakis, Assistant Professor at the National Technical University of Athens, spoke about his dialogues with Nikos Ktenas and offered an interpretation of his work through alternative means of spatial representation such as visual poetry, visual arts, and video. Dimitris Philippidis, Professor Emeritus at the National Technical University of Athens, recalled his formative journey into Ticino architecture during the period when Nikos Ktenas was there, while photographer Erieta Attali spoke about how her engagement with architectural photography began through documenting his buildings and their relationship with the landscape. Ariadni Vozani, Professor at the National Technical University of Athens, discussed Ktenas’ multiple references and the ways in which they shaped his distinctive architectural identity. Elena Fontanella and Lorenzo Guzzini provided a detailed review of their experience at the Politecnico di Milano as students—and later as assistants—of Nikos Ktenas in his teaching, presenting archival photographic material. Finally, architect Katerina Vasilakou, Nikos Ktenas’ collaborator in Greece for nearly two decades, illuminated both the architectural and the human dimension of his work, sharing experiences and episodes from their deep relationship.
As part of the event, the new bilingual book by ek Architectural Publications was released in its first edition: “Nikos Ktenas Architecture | Τοπολογίες- Topologies” edited by Ariadni Vozani and Katerina Vasilakou. The book includes the complete catalogue of Nikos Ktenas’ works, presenting ten of them with drawings and photographs, along with excerpts of archival material and an extensive unpublished interview the architect gave to Panos Tsakopoulos for ek magazine in 2018.
The event’s sponsors were Alumil, AHI Carrier, Europa, and Halo Architectural Lighting. Supporters included Acrilan, Elval Colour, KEVE, Koligas Wood, Pirotek, PNM Constructions, Rouchotas, and View Frames. The Stage Design Sponsor was Moroso by Casa di Patsi, the Wine Sponsor was Zacharias Winery, the Hospitality Sponsor was Electra Rhythm Athens, and the Media Sponsor was News 24/7.
ek magazine has longstanding and multi-layered experience in conceiving, designing, and delivering architecture- and design-driven events, covering a wide range of formats: from curated tributes and thematic discussions to branded stages, product launches, strategic branding, and tailor-made events with clear professional and communications objectives. With an approach that combines high-quality content, careful speaker curation, narrative coherence, and meaningful dialogue, it serves as a trusted link between the architectural community, design, and the business world—activating its network and ensuring measurable visibility, strong message alignment, and a lasting impact across physical and digital environments.
*Katerina Tsourtsoula is the PR Director of the architecture magazine ek.
