Architecture as a Cultural Act: The National Technical University of Athens Confers an Honorary Doctorate on Distinguished Architect Dimitris Antonakakis, an Emblematic Figure of Greek Architecture

With particular splendour and in an atmosphere of deep emotion, befitting the historic legacy of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and the multifaceted personality of the honouree, the ceremony conferring an Honorary Doctorate of the School of Architecture upon the distinguished architect Dimitris Antonakakis was held on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, in the “Lysandros Kaftantzoglou” Hall of the Averoff Building.

Address by the Rector

In his address, the Rector of NTUA, Professor Ioannis K. Chatzigeorgiou, expressed particular joy and honour at the conferral of the highest academic distinction upon the distinguished architect and NTUA alumnus Dimitris Antonakakis. He stressed that Dimitris Antonakakis, as an eminent representative of contemporary Greek architecture, has left a profound mark, combining theoretical depth, design sensitivity, a sense of place and social understanding. He noted his graduation from NTUA in 1958, his architectural thinking linked to historical memory and public space, the award for the Archaeological Museum of Chios together with his late wife Suzana Antonakakis, as well as his pedagogical contribution honoured internationally — including his election as a Corresponding Member of the French Academy of Architecture and as a Visiting Professor at MIT.

He underlined that Dimitris Antonakakis represents a model of excellence with integrity, creative responsibility and social sensitivity, transforming knowledge into a gift to society. The honorary conferral recognises his exceptional work and the contribution of NTUA alumni to international architecture. He concluded with warm congratulations and gratitude for his contribution to architecture, education and culture.

Address by the Dean

The Dean of the School of Architecture, Professor Matthaios Papavasiliou, expressed deep personal emotion at the honour bestowed upon his teacher Dimitris Antonakakis, an emblematic figure of Greek architecture, and at his own personal experience as a student of his. He highlighted Dimitris Antonakakis’s service as a Teaching Assistant from 1958 to 1992, as a mentor and shaper of architectural consciousness for many generations. He noted the omission of a professorship at the time, now being redressed by the conferral of an Honorary Doctorate, and his enduring influence.

He referred to the influential work with Suzana Antonakakis, exhibited internationally and the subject of scholarly studies, with a legacy in the people he shaped. He dwelt on the personal impact on the formation of architectural consciousness, on the assumption of the role of Artistic Director of the Mediterranean Architecture Centre (1997–2011), and on the influences from Pikionis, Micheli, Hatzikyriacos-Ghikas, Speyer, Le Corbusier, van Eyck, Konstantinidis and Kandylis, forming a critical and human-centred stance. He highlighted the recurring question “Housing — for whom?”, teaching that architecture is a synthesis of life, connecting theory, practice, place and society. Finally, he noted the School’s unanimous recommendation for the conferral and offered warm congratulations, expressing gratitude for having had him as his teacher.

Event Organisation

The ceremony was presided over by Professor of the School of Architecture Konstantinos Serraos, and the presentation of the Honouree’s work was delivered by Professor Konstantina Valentini Karvountzis.

The Conferral Ceremony

The honouree was invested with the Institution’s academic gown and hood by the Rector of NTUA, Professor Ioannis Chatzigeorgiou, and the Dean of the School of Architecture, Professor Matthaios Papavasiliou.

Address by the Honouree

Taking the floor, the honouree Dimitris Antonakakis spoke with deep emotion about his return to the Institution after 35 years.

In his address entitled “Return to the Homeland: Coming Back to the School of Architecture at NTUA”, he expressed profound emotion and gratitude for the conferral of the title. He thanked the Rector, the Dean and other contributors, sharing the honour with the late Suzana Antonakakis, his colleagues and all the practising architects who strive for an architecture that respects Greece’s environment and cultural heritage. He underlined that the distinction supports a minority of architects who focus not only on the “why” but also on the “how” of their projects, resisting the indifference of the state and of society.

Recalling his studies, he referred to great teachers such as Dimitris Pikionis and Nikos Engonopoulos, who opened his eyes to architectural art. He shared experiences from his teaching as a teaching assistant and visiting professor, proposing improvements to the educational process — such as assigning personal responsibilities to instructors for rotating programmes in order to encourage creativity and dialogue. He highlighted the importance of collaboration, sincere disagreement and the connection of architecture with other arts, recalling elective courses that broadened students’ horizons by comparing works such as the Erechtheion with modernist buildings.

Finally, he raised questions about how new professors will cultivate in students the qualities of observational acuity, patience and critical thinking in the face of stereotypes and fashions, so that they may become conscious architects and citizens. He argued that architecture is a cultural act that demands complexity and time, preparing for the future without foreknowledge, and proposed opening the School to the city through exhibitions and events to raise community awareness. In closing, he expressed wishes for collaboration and lifelong gratitude towards NTUA, viewing architecture as a defender of human existence in a fragmented world.

Attendance and Participation

The ceremony was attended by Vice Rectors Nikolaos Lagaros, Panagiotis Psarrakos and Thanasis Zisis, as well as Deans Glykeria Kakali (School of Chemical Engineering), Eleni Vlachoyianni (School of Civil Engineering) and Maria Tsakiri (School of Rural, Surveying and Geoinformatics Engineering).

The ceremony was honoured by the presence of the Rector of the Athens School of Fine Arts, Professor Erato Hatzisavva, the Executive Director of NTUA Ms. Maria Vardaki, the Head of the Department of Architecture of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Anastasios Telios, the Associate Dean of the School of Architecture Professor Konstantina Valentini Karvountzis, the Associate Dean of the School of Rural, Surveying and Geoinformatics Engineering Professor Maria Papadopoulou, the former Deans of the School of Architecture of NTUA, Professors Emeriti Ioannis Polyzos, Eleni Maistrou, Dimitris Isaias and Panagiotis Tournikiotis, the President of the Panhellenic Association of Architects (ΣΑΔΑΣ–ΠΕΑ) Dimitris Xynomilakis, and the Vice-President of the International Academy of Architecture Nikos Fyntikakis.

Also in attendance were Stelios Giamarelos (Associate Professor of History and Theory of Architecture at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London), Professor of Architecture at the Democritus University of Thrace Theoni Xanthi, the Professor of the School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences and Director of the Sector of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law Konstantinos Theologou, Professors of the School of Architecture Nikolaos Belavilas, Eleni Alexandrou, Eleni Mantziou, Sofia Tsiraki, Miltiades Katsaros, Tilemachos Andrianopulos, the Director of the Sector of Cutting-Edge Compositions Associate Professor Konstantinos Kostopulos, and other faculty members including Panagiotis Vasilatos, Vasiliki Giannoutsou, Giannis Giannoutsos, Vasilis Gkikapepa, Chrysostomos Theodoropoulos, Panita Karamanea, Kostantis Kizis, Elena Konstantinidou, Maria Marlanti, Thanasis Moutsopulos, Manolis Stavrakakis, Nikolaos Terzoglou, Eleftheria Tsakanika and others, as well as members of the Special Teaching Staff and Special Technical Laboratory Staff.

From Laboratory 66 and Atelier A66 of Dimitris and Suzana Antonakakis, those present included Theano Fotiou (Member of Parliament), Dina Vaiou (Professors Emeritae of the School of Architecture), Kostis Hatzimichalis (Professor Emeritus of Harokopio University), Aristeidis Antonas (Professor at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna) and Phoivi Giannisi (Professor of the Department of Architecture of the University of Thessaly). Also present were Professors Emeriti Tasos Biris, Sofia Avgerinou-Kolonias, Giannis Kizis, Kaiti Kremezi, Giannis Liakatas, Nelli Marda, Niki Miltiadou, Dimitra Nikolaou, Dimitris Filippidis, Tasis Papaioannou, Anastasia Pechlivanidou, Spyros Rogkan, Stavros Stavridis and others.

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On Monday 3 November, at the Eugenides Foundation, the official presentation of Greece’s first Master’s programme on «Ship Performance Analysis and Management» was held with great success and wide participation.

The event was hosted at a venue of deep significance for shipping and education — the Eugenides Foundation, which has long supported and promoted maritime education in Greece and internationally.

The event was opened by the Rector of the National Technical University of Athens, Professor Ioannis Chatjigeorgiou, who spoke about the historical journey and enduring contribution of the School of Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering to education, while highlighting the vision and strategic plan of NTUA for continuous development and academic excellence in the years ahead. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of the new master’s programme for the future of Greek shipping, with warm thanks expressed to the Eugenides Foundation for its hospitality and steadfast support.

A greeting was delivered by the President of the Eugenides Foundation, Mr. Leonidas Dimitriadis-Eugenidis, who referred to the long-standing collaboration between the Foundation and NTUA and to the importance of investing in knowledge and in young Greek seafarers and engineers, who continue to excel internationally. He also underscored the importance of collaboration between the academic community and the shipping industry as a decisive factor in shaping a sustainable and innovative future for the sector. Speaking about the new Master’s Programme and the School of Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering at NTUA were:

Professor Konstantinos Belibassakis, Dean of the School of Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering at NTUA, who presented the School, its modern facilities and technological equipment, and its dynamic research activity.
Dr. Nikolaos Kakalis, NTUA alumnus and LR Global Bulk Carriers Segment Director, who highlighted the current needs and challenges of the shipping market that the new programme aims to address.
Associate Professor Giorgos Dimopoulos, Director of the Programme and member of the School of Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering at NTUA, who presented in detail the structure, content, and objectives of the Master’s Programme.

The event brought together a large number of distinguished representatives of the Greek shipping community, founders and senior executives of major shipping companies.
Following the presentations, a productive discussion and exchange of views took place among the participants, confirming the strong interest of the shipping industry in this new academic initiative.

This Programme arrives at a time when Greek Shipping, a global pioneer, is called upon to respond to a new, complex, and demanding environment, full of challenges but also opportunities, such as:

The energy transition and the increasing need for green and sustainable maritime transport.
The digitalisation and automation of ships and maritime processes.
Stricter regulatory and environmental requirements.
The need for strategic thinking and specialised human resources.

The National Technical University of Athens, with its long tradition and expertise, aspires through this new Programme to contribute actively to shaping the next generation of leaders in naval technology and science, strengthening Greece’s role as a global centre of excellence in shipping and maritime technology.