We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Ioannis Panagiotou ("IP").
Architect/founder Ioannis Panagiotou (UACG M.Sc 2002, AUTH PGDip 2023 Advanced Design: Innovation and Transdisciplinarity in Design, AUTH PhD Candidate, School of Architecture) He has been an active Architect since 2004, having in his portfolio many realized projects of commercial buildings, private residential complexes, as well as interior and exterior architectural upgrade proposals space. He has also participated in international and panhellenic architectural competitions with two Honorable Mentions in 2023. His realized project was awarded in 2022 with the international Bronze A 'Design Award. His work has also been published in reputable Greek and international journals architecture websites. His architectural practice integrates research across multiple design fields and scales (urban design, landscapes, building design, interior, furniture) with a constant concern for the approach of innovation. P9 Arch Studio was founded by Architect Ioannis Panagiotou The establishment of P9 Arch Studio, aims at the innovation of the architectural project and the cutting edge design for projects of all scales.
Ioannis Panagiotou Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Ioannis Panagiotou.
Ioannis Panagiotou Design - Polygon House Residential Architecture
Designer Interview of Ioannis Panagiotou:
DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
IP : I have been an active Architect since 2004, having in my portfolio many implemented projects of private houses, residential complexes, commercial buildings, as well as proposals for architectural upgrade of indoor and outdoor space. The need to get in touch with art led me to study architecture, which opened a new path for me in the way I see the world. I always wanted to change the urban environment I saw around me in a more creative way.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
IP : Our architectural firm P9 Arch Studio was founded in 2019 by me on the basis of many years of experience in the field of Architectural design and construction since 2004. The establishment of P9 Arch Studio aims at the innovation of architectural work and cutting-edge design for projects of any scale. The architectural firm was awarded in 2022 with the international Bronze A 'Design Award, while in the past it has published its works on international and Greek architecture websites. Its main activity is to study and build mainly in Greece and especially in the Greek islands. Life begins with creation, so we are inspired by the environment, memory, time, materials to meet the new space we design for our customers.
DI: What is "design" for you?
IP : Design is the human need that meets aesthetics and all this together is approached through innovation which is in itself a difficult factor in the function of the implemented architectural work.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
IP : I try to design on all scales, from the construction of design details and furniture to the scale of an urban redevelopment of public space. I am more interested in the design that involves various constraints (space, financial, law), so that I can overcome them creatively. In these cases the production of a good design gives multiple satisfaction.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
IP : My favorite recent design is "Event Scape / the public space otherwise. It is a public space of about five hundred square meters. The inspiration for the creation of the project is the urban geometry around us, the urban landscape, the encouragement for alternative use of space by visitors. The architectural composition is designed to arouse the curiosity of the participants to discover the geometry of the space through the many alternatives that the design idea gives. The specific geometry of the space helps visitors to use the construction in many ways, to sit, lie down, climb, talk to each other, and finally socialize, developing human relationships. The alternation of curves and sloping surfaces that are shaped by colour concrete beton which create the outdoor benches, the canopies, the climbing, and play areas. The architectural composition also includes some moving elements of plastic without internal mass, low weight that fit the construction and are also functional to sit or playing to place them in recesses and on the surface to change the geometry of the space to a small scale in a controlled way.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
IP : The first thing I designed was a residential complex that was a big challenge for me when it happened.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
IP : Important design tools that are part of the innovation in design in general, but also especially for me are the algorithmic design and the three-dimensional scanning of the space, at the same time with the developments in the augmented and virtual reality that come into our lives.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
IP : Creativity is all around us as long as we reveal it. I am particularly creative when I have the freedom and the conditions to use innovative design methods and cutting-edge architectural design in my work
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
IP : My feelings about my works are a reflection of the feelings that the users of these works feel when they live in them.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
IP : Design is primarily about human needs. Designers can improve living conditions on any scale. The Avant-Garde in art and architecture contributed to this goal.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
IP : The future of design goes through the development of design tools, combined with innovative materials such as biomaterials and new production methods such as 3D printing, robotics and the integration of augmented reality methods in construction. All of these areas already shape the future of design and construction.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
IP : While updating my knowledge of design tools, I try to extend the references and good theoretical documentation of the design idea to most projects.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
IP : We work with young architects that we integrate into our creative team so that renewal and innovation is an ongoing process.
DI: How can people contact you?
IP : The most easy way to communicate with us is our email: info@p9archstudio.com and our website: https://p9archstudio.com/