Archinect
GEORGE KOUKOURAKIS

GEORGE KOUKOURAKIS

Athens, GR

 

About 

Through my work as an architect I try to preserve the  unique cultural inheritanceof a place in my case, Greece’s, by respecting the local architecture and the historic knowledge of the passive building systems, practiced by the locals for centuries, while borrowing them and tailoring them to meet today’s standards of low energy and bioclimatic design. I am also interested in historic preservation in the most sustainable way, by prescribing the top of today’s efficient green materials.  

My work in interior design   reflects the same commitment, by creating elegant naturally lit spaces using a mix of local and new materials, incorporating in the interiors the distinctive atmosphere of each place, and at the same time meeting each client’s objectives.   

I firmly believe that the garden or the landscaped environment of a building is a very special spiritual place, unique for each building and each client. I specify trees and plants from the Mediterranean basin and borrow scents and scenery from the ever so beautiful natural surroundings of the Greek landscape into our gardens.  

Together with the residential projects, I am ready to put all this gathered knowledge into practice by exploring the hospitality sector.  My past experience with large hotel/resort projects has taught me  that hotels in our time however the size, have to meet not only the guests’ functional requirements and the ever changing guest expectations,  but also to provide the guest a unique memorable experience.  

The Greek islands local architecture has taught me that it is our responsibility to be sensitive to any new intervention to the landscape whether that is a new building, or a garden, and to successfully adapt to the unique qualities of each place.

Elsewhere:

Employment 

TEMES S.A., Athens, GR, ARCHITECT

I have worked for 4 years in the renovation of the Athens Hilton, and for 6 years in Costa Navarino (www.costanavarino.com) both are 5 star Luxury hotels in Greece and they are both operated by Starwood.
I am still a supervising architect in Costa Navarino and I was throughout the construction of both projects. Among my duties were:
1. Coordination of Drawings,
2. Architectural detailing,
3. Market research.
4. Interior Design
5. Landscape design
6. Quantity Survey

During the construction of these projects I was the main connection between the Project Architect and the construction team .
My skills include Autocad and Archicad.

Sep 2006 - current
 

Education 

Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, US, BArch, School of Architecture

Bachellor Degree in Architecture

Aug 1989 - Dec 1994
 

Awards 

TSD (Tau Sigma Delta Award) for 5th yr Thesis Project, 1st Place

1994
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills