RENOVATOR | Architecture & Construction Journal
Athens, 7 November 2026 | Architectural photo essay
An installation spelling out the Greek word for “Architecture” in the exhibition space. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
The exhibition route and the Tobacco Factory’s large openings, seen from the upper level. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
A journey through Greek architecture
The history of Greek architecture is closely tied to the development of construction methods, materials and social needs. From Mycenaean tombs and the monumental architecture of antiquity to modernism and contemporary housing, each period shaped different ideas about how space should be organised and used.
This journey is the subject of the exhibition “Architecture in Greece — The Mysterious Language of Form”, held at Athens’ former Public Tobacco Factory from 17 October 2026 to 17 January 2027.
The exhibition is co-organised by CityLab and the Technical Chamber of Greece, with the assistance of the Hellenic Parliament. It spans seven thematic sections, 26 routes and 37 individual exhibits, bringing together architectural drawings, sections, models, photographs, artworks and historical material.
An artwork depicting an elephant with colourful patterns in the exhibition space. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
On 7 November 2026, Renovator visited the exhibition and made an extensive photographic record. This article focuses on selected exhibits and architectural questions that remain relevant to the design, construction and renovation of existing buildings.
The connection to today’s homes rests on more than visual similarities between different eras. It lies chiefly in the enduring importance of construction knowledge, geometry, functional planning and suitable materials.
1. Mycenaean architecture and construction knowledge
A drawn reconstruction of the Mycenaean grave circle as presented in the exhibition. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
Architectural section of the Treasury of Atreus. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
Ancient architecture: sanctuaries, agoras and stoas. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
Drawings and reconstructions of ancient structures as presented in the exhibition. Photographs: Renovator.
Mycenaean architecture features in one of the exhibition’s opening sections, with particular attention to tombs and the construction techniques of the period.
The Treasury of Atreus at Mycenae is especially interesting for its geometry and construction. Its monumental vaulted chamber was built from successive courses of stone that project progressively inward, forming a corbelled vault.
This structure follows a different structural and construction logic from a modern reinforced-concrete dome. It nevertheless demonstrates how geometry and the properties of available materials can be put to use.
The architectural section of the monument shown in the exhibition reveals its interior form and the relationships between its structural elements.
Sections remain essential tools for understanding construction today. A floor plan records a building’s horizontal organisation, while sections show changes in level, the relationship between storeys and construction details.
In existing buildings, recording and assessing the structure is a necessary step before work that affects the layout or structural elements.
Architectural history presents different technical solutions, but repeatedly brings into focus the relationship between form, materials and structural behaviour.
2. Geometry, proportion and the organisation of space
An architectural model with columns and different levels, as displayed in the exhibition. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
An architectural model with stepped sides and a central entrance. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
A model with several levels and columns. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
An art installation made from wooden measuring rulers in the exhibition space. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
Architectural models and an artwork made with numbered rulers in a section exploring geometry and spatial organisation. Photographs: Renovator.
Architectural models form an important part of the exhibition. Three-dimensional representations make it easier to understand the relationship between volumes, routes and construction elements.
Geometry does more than determine a composition’s appearance. It directly affects how a space is organised and used.
The position of columns, the proportions of openings, the sequence of levels and the relationship between enclosed and outdoor spaces all shape architectural design.
In a contemporary home, the importance of geometry becomes particularly clear when the interior layout is reworked.
Actual room dimensions, the space needed for circulation, door positions and the placement of fixed fittings must be considered together.
In a kitchen, for example, the choice of appliances, the arrangement of worktops and adequate working clearances determine how well the finished space functions.
Similarly, the position of fittings in a bedroom or bathroom affects comfort and freedom of movement.
Accurate surveys and detailed construction drawings help prevent conflicts between the design and what is built.
Within a comprehensive architectural renovation study, design decisions are assessed against the occupants’ needs, actual dimensions and the constraints of the existing building.
3. The Blue Apartment Building and the development of housing in Athens
Section 3 photographs
An introduction to the exhibition’s modernist theme. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
The exhibition panel on the Blue Apartment Building. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
The Blue Apartment Building panel along the exhibition route through the former Tobacco Factory. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
Modern architecture and the growth of collective housing in Athens. Photographs: Renovator.
The development of Greek architecture is closely linked to the formation of the modern city, particularly the rise of the apartment building.
The Blue Apartment Building in Exarchia, designed by architect Kyriakos Panagiotakos in the 1930s, is a recognisable example of Greek modernism.
The exhibition’s official presentation includes a photograph of the building’s staircase in its section on modern architecture.
The building matters for more than its appearance. It also speaks to the organisation of shared living, the design of common areas and the development of new apartment types.
Athens’ postwar expansion produced a large stock of multistorey residential buildings, much of which remains in use.
Upgrading this building stock is now a significant architectural and technical undertaking.
Older apartment buildings often have services installed decades ago, layouts that no longer suit current needs and varying levels of thermal and energy performance.
Renovating an apartment therefore requires an assessment of its private rooms as well as the constraints imposed by the structure and shared building services.
Some buildings also have architectural qualities that deserve consideration before they are replaced.
Original floors, timber doors, distinctive details and unusual proportions can, where appropriate, become part of a contemporary design.
Upgrading an older home does not require erasing its identity. It requires a technical assessment and a clear distinction between elements worth retaining and those that need replacing.
4. Housing as a subject of architectural study
Section 4 photographs
The exhibition panel “Two Holiday Houses”. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
An exhibition timeline and architectural material from more recent projects. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
Architectural references to housing and to a building’s relationship with its setting and occupants’ needs. Photographs: Renovator.
Housing is one of architecture’s most important fields, because its quality is tested through everyday use.
The exhibition refers to residential projects, including “Spaces for Living”, which features a mining-company staff settlement designed by Suzana and Dimitris Antonakakis.
Organised residential developments broaden the discussion of housing beyond the individual building.
The relationship between private and shared space, circulation, integration into the landscape and daily function are all central to their design.
Our photographs from the visit also include an exhibition panel identified as “Two Holiday Houses”, showing architectural images and drawings.
A holiday house raises particular questions about the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces, orientation and the natural setting.
The same considerations, at a different scale, also apply to the design of an urban apartment.
The connection between living room and balcony, the use of openings, the arrangement of everyday spaces and sufficient storage all affect how well a home works.
The design should be grounded in the residents’ actual needs and the available space.
Appliance choices, storage requirements, the need for a workspace and the desired relationship between kitchen and living room should be established before the layout is finalised.
An architectural solution brings these requirements together with the building’s technical constraints.
5. Daylight and the quality of interior space
Section 5 photographs
A general view of the glazed atrium. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
The geometry of the glazed roof. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
An art installation on the upper level, with the glazed atrium behind it. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
Daylight and its relationship with the architectural geometry of the former Public Tobacco Factory. Photographs: Renovator.
The large glazed atrium is one of the former Public Tobacco Factory’s most distinctive architectural features.
Daylight enters through the roof, revealing the interior elevations, the rhythm of the openings and the varied surfaces of the historic building.
Changes in brightness directly affect our perception of space and geometry, and how materials are seen.
Daylight is a fundamental consideration in architectural design, both for new buildings and existing homes.
When an apartment is renovated, orientation, the position of openings and the arrangement of interior partitions all affect the distribution of available light.
In some cases, a revised layout can improve the spread of daylight without changing the external openings.
The assessment extends beyond brightness to thermal comfort, protection from overheating, shading and glare control.
Managing daylight well requires architectural and technical judgement together.
6. The former Tobacco Factory and the reuse of historic buildings
Section 6 photographs
Detail of an existing column. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
Contemporary exhibition structures within the historic shell. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
A sculptural installation in a corridor of the former Tobacco Factory. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
A staircase in the former Tobacco Factory between blue exhibition structures. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
The original industrial architecture and the building’s contemporary cultural use coexist. Photographs: Renovator.
The exhibition venue itself is an example of a historic industrial building put to a new use.
The former Public Tobacco Factory is a listed building from the interwar period; restoration work was carried out on part of it in 2021.
It now hosts cultural activities and exhibitions while retaining visible elements of its historic architecture.
Inside, columns, staircases, older surfaces and large openings stand alongside contemporary exhibition structures.
The new use makes the most of the existing building without erasing its architectural identity.
Adapting historic buildings is a specialised field with particular demands for documentation, design and approvals.
The underlying principle of assessing what already exists, however, applies much more widely.
When an older home is renovated, a technical investigation determines which elements can remain, which need repair and which should be replaced.
Preserving valuable architectural features can help create a contemporary home with a distinct identity, provided that safety and function are addressed as well.
7. Materials, surfaces and fitness for purpose
Section 7 photographs
An installation made from perforated clay bricks. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
Samples of materials and finishes on display. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
Materials and surface qualities as elements of architecture and construction. Photographs: Renovator.
Material character is central to architectural expression.
A material choice influences form, construction methods, durability and the long-term performance of a project.
The exhibition presents different textures and constructed assemblies, highlighting the relationship between material and architectural form.
In a dark gallery, focused lighting picks out the metal lines and reflections of two art installations.
A metal art installation in a dark exhibition room. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
An art composition with metal elements and focused lighting. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
In contemporary renovation, materials should be chosen to suit the demands of each application.
Floors, wall finishes, kitchen surfaces and wet-area materials face different levels of wear and different maintenance requirements.
Exposure to water and moisture, resistance to wear, compatibility with the substrate and intended use are all critical considerations.
An aesthetic choice has lasting value when the material is technically suitable and properly installed.
8. From architectural design to construction
Section 8 photographs
The exhibition route and its spatial organisation. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
An architectural timeline documenting projects. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
Architectural design, spatial organisation and documentation. Photographs: Renovator.
Architectural design is the point at which functional needs, technical constraints and aesthetic choices become specific decisions.
For existing homes, this process matters especially because the various parts of the work depend on one another.
Moving a kitchen can affect plumbing, electrical services, ventilation and the arrangement of the living room.
Flooring choices affect finished floor levels and how different elements meet.
The layout determines lighting positions, interior doors and storage requirements.
Resolving these questions early reduces the risk of conflicts, delays and extra work during construction.
At Renovator, home renovation is treated as a coordinated process involving a survey, design, technical coordination and organised construction.
The quality of the result depends on the clarity and completeness of the design as well as the chosen materials and the work on site.
9. Why architectural knowledge matters in construction today
The route between the former Tobacco Factory’s exhibition rooms. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
The main facade of the former Public Tobacco Factory on Lenorman Street, where the exhibition is held. Photograph: Renovator, 7 November 2026.
“Architecture in Greece — The Mysterious Language of Form” presents architecture as an evolving field shaped by different historical periods and technical possibilities.
Ancient monuments, modern urban architecture and contemporary housing differ greatly in their construction methods, materials and requirements for use.
Across those differences, geometry, construction knowledge, functional planning and a building’s relationship with its surroundings remain central to architectural design.
Modern technology offers greater precision, more analytical tools and new construction systems.
Using them effectively still depends on technical knowledge, thorough design and sound execution.
Upgrading existing buildings, especially homes, is one of the most important areas where these principles can be applied.
The quality of a project is more than its finished appearance. It can be seen in its function, safety, durability and the overall quality of the built space.
Exhibition information
Exhibition: Architecture in Greece — The Mysterious Language of Form
Venue: Former Public Tobacco Factory, 218 Lenorman Street, Athens
Dates: 17 October 2026 – 17 January 2027
Organisers: CityLab and the Technical Chamber of Greece, with the assistance of the Hellenic Parliament
Official presentation: Exhibition website
Photography: Renovator, 7 November 2026
This article draws on our visit, the exhibition’s official presentation and independent technical analysis. References to contemporary home renovation reflect Renovator’s editorial perspective and are not statements by the exhibition organisers.
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