EXOSTIS

Team 

Name: Eirini Bravou

Nationality: Greek

Institution / Company: University of Thessaly

– FINALIST of 2020 Monument Competition

When talking about Athens, what comes on your mind? 

Acropolis? Syrtaki and moussaka? 

Clichés characterize countries and often monuments are part of these. Monuments were made to express former populations. Admiring past achievements may play a major role, but simultaneously huge part of the population is complacent to it. Modern Greeks need new age monuments, affected by the past, but still evolving through the years.

Athens, is much more than its clichés. There are characteristics of it, all can see, but not really observe. One of these are Athens’ Balconies. City’s main building type, polykatoikia, is always surrounded by balconies– exostes in Greek-which seem to be the basic mean of expression for Athenians. 

This project concerns a monument for Balconies, a landmark able to be “habited” by Athenians and not only be economically exploited. A preserved industrial chimney, is the core around which Exostis, develops. Fifteen rings – balconies, are placed around it. Each ring receives a use, inspired by Athens’ balconies which transforms according to visitors. The monument honors Athens– Balconies -now, but also in the future while Athenians keep constantly forming it by their imprint.

Exostis is created for people to admire but mostly for them to enjoy. 

#LivingMonuments #Balcony #Landmark #CulturalExchange #PublicBuilding&SocialGatherings