Bio
Mr. Efstathiou's experience has encompassed the design, technical coordination, and project management of a variety of projects. In 1989, Mr. Efstathiou relocated to SOM’s London office for two years to manage both Broadgate and Ludgate projects. In addition to his experience in the United States, Mr. Efstathiou has extensive international experience in the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Korea, Russia, China, Brazil, and the Middle East.
:: Profile at ArchiTravel >
http://www.architravel.com/architravel/architects/1
1 > Rolex Tower
Photo Courtesy SOM / Nick Merrick © Hedrich Blessing
2 > Rolex Tower_context plan
Photo Courtesy © SOM
3 > Rolex Tower_Ground and first floor plan
Photo Courtesy © SOM
4 > Rolex Tower_Office Typical Floor Plan
Photo Courtesy © SOM
5 > Rolex Tower_Residential Typical Floor Plans
Photo Courtesy © SOM
6 > Rolex Tower_Penthouse Typical Floor Plan
Photo Courtesy © SOM
7 > Burj Khalifa (formerly Burj Dubai)
Photo Courtesy SOM / Nick Merrick © Hedrich Blessing
8 > Infinity Tower
Photo Courtesy SOM / © Neoscape
Most recent people interviewed (View all)
Toal O' Muire
Árpád Ferdinánd
Constantin Xenakis
Isaac A. Meir
Kim Herforth Nielsen
Most recent list of themes (View all)
on Architecture and Theory
on Architecture and Competent Authorities
on Architecture
on Architecture and Sustainability
on Educating Architecture
on Promoting Architecture
on Architecture and Events
on Guiding Architecture
on Architecture and Photography
on Architecture and Politics
on Architecture and Skyscrapers
on Architecture and Art
on Architecture and Travel
My point of view:
on Architecture and Travel
Interview Date: 17-08-2011
What is the importance of architectural tourism?
If you look at all the major cities in the world, they always have some special architectural building, either new or old that people go to see. The Eiffel Tower, the Acropolis, Sears Tower in Chicago, Dubai has Burj Khalifa; these are very important draws for tourism and another thing for a tourist to do.
What is the importance of traveling, especially for Architects and humans in general?
The most important thing for an architect to do is to look around. Not to stay at his own desk and design his own buildings. You have to look at other people’s work. We all studied architectural history for a reason. We are looking at what forefathers did before we start doing architecture. It is also good in a forum like this to see what other people are doing because you see different things. Even if you come to a very interesting city like Barcelona, you have the chance to see some very interesting pieces of architecture. You see how people are addressing and how they solve similar issues among the cities.
What is interesting for people that aren’t in architecture is to see and understand the character of any city. Every city feels and looks different. You start to understand the history of the city, how it was formed and how it was built, really understand the forces that do that. As architects, we study how cities grow but the primary thing for people is to understand the character of the city and its heart.
How would you characterize modern architecture nowadays?
I’ve been in the profession long enough to see trends come and go and things come back again. Right now, we are starting to see two things; one, buildings that were done in the ‘50s and they are updated a little bit. That other thing that we see for a several years now is the computer and the influence that has on the design of buildings. Twenty or thirty years ago we would draw by hand, we would never think of drawing twisty or curving towers because it was very difficult to do that and the economics were difficult. Things have been better; it is easier now for architects to draw and to dream. Fabricators have used the computer as well in fabrication techniques to make these kinds of dreams more affordable.
Is the world financial crisis an opportunity for everyone to reconsider the ways that we design and construct the buildings and the urban environment?
If you go back in history in the last thirty five years, you see that there have been economic down terms before. You see that always there is a reconsideration of how developers and everybody use buildings. When you are done with value, you start to reconsider what is really important about a building. We are going through that process right now.
Does Architecture as a profession need empowerment? In which ways should this be done?
First of all, architects don’t get paid enough money. Architects need to bond together in a much stronger way to raise a voice in the world. Certainly, in the United States, we have a very strong organization that needs to be stronger. Architects take a lot liability in designing buildings and the conversation about that is not enough.
In recent years attention turns to green urban regeneration. Do you think that it is imperative for the city or it’s just a new fashion with economic outcomes and covertly interests?
For forty years we have been engineering buildings to have energy conservation. It is the future. Manufacturers and architects are still trying to figure out. We are still on very early stages of finding; there is no breakthrough solution that is going to solve every problem right now. In time, we will start to see things coming up like technology.
At the end, can you please provide your personal proposal of 10 buildings (constructed and visitable) which you think as the most important worldwide that someone must visit anyway?
Certainly, the Burj Khalifa is one. But, my top ten is not really buildings but cities. I would include New York, Chicago, Athens, Barcelona, Dubai, and London as major places and Berlin, Singapore; those are all places with strong markets where you see a lot of activity in building design.
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