A systematic, multilevel and polyphonic presentation.

Seventy-six Greek Female Architects address the Attica  Department of the Association of Greek Architects-graduates of Universities, and relate their own stories “autobiographies” with the strength and immediacy of personal testimony. 

By the initiative of  the Attica Department of the Association of Greek Architects (SADAS-PEA), a Digital Archive of Greek Female Architects was compiled and published, starting with the graduates of the period 1923-1981. 

Through this project which was positively evaluated and supported by the Ministry of Culture the previously unknown contribution of  the women colleagues in all areas of the profession (city and regional planning, social programming of reconstruction in public and private buildings and in many other areas) together with their increased  presence in scientific research, teaching historiographical and architectural theory, comes to light  In other words, the contribution of women architects in post war architectural output and education, in the revitalization of architectural thought, and their participation in the freelance part of the profession, usually with an inconspicuous but instrumental role, is validated.

The choice of the year 1923 is not random, since it is the year of graduation of the first Greek woman architect and first engineer, from the the NTUA (National Technical University of Athens) School of Architecture which was inaugurated in 1917. From 1923 to 1949, i.e. over a period of 26 years, only 26 women architects graduated. Immediately afterwards through 1955 there were about 40 graduates, 52 through 1960, and  through 1965 over 170. After this year comes the great explosion. Today there are hundreds of female students in the many Architectural Schools of the  country and abroad. Women architects have worked – and are working – in all areas of the profession, together with their male colleagues, in the private and public sectors, the academic sphere and in research. Nevertheless their 

work has not been recognised to the same degree as the work of their male 

colleagues, for reasons that are elaborated in the introductory texts of the Archive.

The aim of the Archive is not only to document the unknown work of Greek female architects but also to bring to light their personalities, their struggles to combine multiple roles as wives and mothers while maintaining a high level of professionalism and on many occasions their participation in social struggles.

Most of the architects of the Archive, are self-biographed, they talk about their youth and their student years, and not just about their professional careers. In those cases where they are deceased, biographical documentation was provided by their descendants, while information concerning their professional careesr has been compiled by research into archives.

We would like to believe that the Archive is a form of “oral history”. The contribution of Greek female architects to the broader struggle of women for 

personal, professional and social emancipation, is revealed in the “autobiographical” texts and personal histories, reflecting the broader post war society, including with respect to the built environment and scientific research. 

 The Archive is dynamic since it can continually be supplemented and enriched, with new data on existing postings, with new postings on colleagues that have not yet been included (if they desire) as well as with the inclusion of women architects of later generations.

Aim of the Attica Department of SADAS-PEA is for the Archive to remain open, for the use of researchers, students of Architecture,Greek and International Architects as well as any interested persons.

The Archive was compiled thanks to the voluntary work of a large number of 

members of the scientific committee of  the Attica Department of SADAS-PEA. The whole effort started in May 2020 and continues. The invitation for inclusion in the Archive has been sent to more than 200 graduates from the years 1923-1981 and up to now 80 women Architects have responded, either in person or through their descendants. Wherever possible the texts are supplemented by photographs of projects, together with personal and family photos.

In many cases, the data includes not only the professional activities of each architect, but also literary texts, poems, paintings, texts of architectural critique both from within and outside the profession and other documents that make the Archive a source of live historical testimony which expands the boundaries of knowledge regarding women  architects in their profession and brtoader society. 

The structure of the Archive follows rules based on Greek and international 

experience with special emphasis on its open and “polyphonic” character.

For more information you are referred to the introductory texts of the Archive:

“Why this Archive” / “In reference to the Archive”

For the Administrative Council of the Attica Department of SADAS

The President                  

 Julia Tsaliki 

The Secretary General   

Ourania Oikonomou 

June  2021 

SADAS PEA-ATTICA DEPARTMENT 

Adress: Kladou and Vryssakiou 1- Monastiraki ,  Email:  tmattikissp@gmail.com,  tel: +30 210 3215 146.