Pieris.Architects: 2nd Nature

Exhibition

As part of the exhibition 2nd Nature by Pieris.Architects, held at the Ω2 multi-purpose space within the Athens Conservatory (8-18 November 2024), two thought-provoking discussions brought sustainability to the forefront. These events featured architects, leaders in the construction materials industry, and experts in recycling and real estate development. Together, they explored sustainable practices, engaging both professionals and the wider public.

Synergies in Construction and Design: Advancing UN Sustainable Development Goal 17 through Innovation and Sustainable Practices.

On November 9, Ivy-Hara Dikaiou, founder of Cosmos ESG & CSR Consulting, moderated a panel discussion titled Synergies in Construction and Design: Advancing UN Sustainable Development Goal 17 through Innovation and Sustainable Practices. This dialogue emphasized the importance of collaborative innovation in driving sustainable development within the construction and design sectors.

Dr. Stella Pieri opened the discussion by emphasizing the centrality of Goal 17 to the exhibition’s framework. She highlighted that “inclusive partnerships grounded in shared principles, values, vision, and goals -prioritizing people and the planet- are essential across global, regional, national, and local levels.” She noted that Pieris.Architects currently aligns with 8 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and has implemented ESG strategies, which they plan to publicly disclose in the near future, despite Greek legislation not mandating it.

Vassilis Katerelos, General Manager of Sustainability at Hercules Group, explained that at HOLCIM, and by extension Hercules Group, 9 of the 17 Goals have been identified as closely tied to their operations. He stated, “Transparency in reporting our environmental, social, and governance outcomes is a core value for us. We believe it fosters trust with our stakeholders.” He also discussed Hercules Group’s collaboration with Pieris.Architects and companies specializing in 3D printing technology for the design and construction of The SPOT, an innovative, sustainable building at the University of Patras. “This building will serve as a research and application hub for new technologies, potentially paving the way for more cost-effective and sustainable construction methods,” he concluded.

Panos Iliopoulos, General Manager of Marmyk Iliopoulos, highlighted the company’s longstanding commitment to sustainable practices in raw material utilization, dating back to 1995. He remarked, “Since 2004, we have been the only marble company producing masonry products from quarry by-products.” In 2020, the company launched its zero-waste product line, using marble processing residues to create tiles from marble nuggets. These innovative products have already been applied in projects such as the Viva Wallet facility in Maroussi, designed by Pieris.Architects.

George Fytianos, Director of Sustainable Development at Alumil, shared the company’s efforts to responsibly manage natural resources and embrace environmentally friendly practices. He introduced Loop 60, Greece’s first certified recycled aluminium for architectural system profiles, made with 60% recycled material. Fytianos emphasized that Alumil’s strategic focus on sustainability has significantly reduced the carbon footprint of its systems, well below the EU average. He also underscored the company’s comprehensive ESG approach in achieving these results.

Marina Latcha, Quality Control and R&D Manager as well as Sustainability Coordinator at Elval Colour, outlined the company’s focus on two key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She explained, “Our primary focus is on SDG 11, ‘Sustainable Cities and Communities,’ through the promotion of innovative materials like high-reflective paints for facades and roofs (Cool Roofs) that mitigate urban heat islands, as well as self-cleaning paints. Additionally, our commitment to using safe building materials, such as slow-burning products, supports SDG 3, ‘Good Health and Well-Being,’ by enhancing occupant safety and reducing the risk of fire spreading to neighboring buildings.” She emphasized that achieving ambitious sustainability goals requires more than isolated efforts by individual stakeholders in the construction sector. Instead, she advocated for coordinated partnerships in the design and construction of new buildings.

In conclusion, coordinator Ivi Dikaiou emphasized that ESG principles play a vital role in fostering synergies and driving innovation. She explained, “ESG ensures that each project is evaluated for its environmental impact, social contribution, and governance quality. Sustainable practices are most effective when stakeholders collaborate with transparency, accountability, and a shared vision.” She further noted that ESG not only inspires partnerships but also strengthens them, enabling the construction and architecture industries to advance Goal 17 by embracing responsible practices that positively impact both the planet and communities.

Opportunities and challenges in accelerating circular and sustainable construction

On November 13, the discussion “Opportunities and Challenges in Accelerating Circular and Sustainable Construction” took place, moderated by journalist and ypodomes.com founder Nikos Karagiannis.

Pieros Pieris, architect and partner at Pieris.Architects, highlighted the importance of a holistic approach to sustainable architecture. He emphasized that sustainability extends beyond constructing new buildings to include the reuse and revitalization of existing structures. Pieris argued that a building’s sustainability is inherently tied to its surrounding environment. He explained that his firm’s philosophy prioritizes integrating all facets -reuse, selection of eco-friendly materials, and ESG practices- to ensure that architectural design makes a meaningful contribution to sustainability.

Alexandra Togia, CEO of the Hellenic Recycling Organization (EOAN), shed light on the ongoing efforts to establish comprehensive recycling systems, particularly for demolition materials, to facilitate their reuse rather than disposal. While acknowledging progress, she noted that recycling rates remain low and emphasized the need for stronger institutional frameworks and clearer regulations. Togia also addressed a key challenge: recycled materials cannot always be reused in their original form or retain the same value.

Evangelia Glezakou, Senior Sustainability Manager at Dimand, highlighted the company’s commitment to constructing buildings that adhere to stringent ESG criteria and achieve certifications such as LEED and WELL. She explained that Dimand’s philosophy centers on shaping the environment through sustainable practices with a strong focus on the end user. Glezakou emphasized that WELL certification prioritizes the health and well-being of the people who live and work in these buildings, ensuring optimal conditions for their comfort and welfare.

Vassilis Iakovou, Head of Concrete Activity at Hercules Group (part of Holcim), discussed the company’s recent innovations in environmentally friendly concrete products. He noted their ability to deliver specialized solutions tailored to customer needs, including custom concrete products for large-scale structures. Iakovou also highlighted The Spot project, which utilizes 3D robotic concrete printing (3D Concrete Printing) to advance sustainable building practices. This technology reduces material usage by up to 50%, exemplifying resource efficiency. The architectural design for this project was led by Pieris.Architects as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

Finally, Ivi-Hara Dikaiou, founder of Cosmos ESG & CSR Consulting, emphasized that ESG is not a fleeting trend but a lasting and evolving framework with profound implications for the construction industry, particularly its focus on people. Dikaiou highlighted examples of best practices across the three pillars of ESG and stressed that the role of a sustainability consultant goes beyond theoretical declarations. It demands actionable statements backed by data, targets, and metrics to promote transparency and accountability for all stakeholders.

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Exhibition

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