Build Architecture Awards 2016

Build 2016 Architecture Awards 64 Company: Edge Design Name: Eirini Tsitoura Email: [email protected] Web Address: http://www.edge-design.gr Address: 31 Othonos str, Lamia, Greece Telephone: 0030 22310 21208 dge Design is an architectural practice based in Lamia, Greece and was established in 2006 by Eirini Tsitoura, architect and Cos- tas Tsitouras, civil engineer. Eirini talks us through how the firm endeavours to remain at the cutting edge of architectural design in order to ensure clients receive the very best outcome for their projects. “At Edge Design we believe in providing services that our client can be pleased with, by creating designs which introduce modern ideas, dynamism and functionality, at an economical price. We follow current design trends and new architectural construction technologies, in order to provide what is cutting edge in architecture today. “In designing, we aim to always push the boundaries and break the norms in order to achieve uniquely personal concepts that meet the needs of our clients, while challenging design ideas. At the same time, our team is successful in delivering economic designs that do not lack in innovation and quality, treating tight budgets more as a challenge than as a disadvantage.” The firm’s process relies on collaboration, both with the client and the firm’s industry peers, as Eirini describes. “Our design process begins with simple, black figures on paper and slowly gets to the point of finalized construction detailed drawings. As a profession- al firm, we provide a range of architectural and engineering services from concept to completion. Services based on design drawings, architectural structure, construction drawings and/or research behaviour of a building or any other kind of system that is to be or have been constructed. We offer day-to-day inspection and we check every stage of the construction process. We deliver the details and the specifications. We also deliver as much co-or- dination on site as is required. “Fundamentally we are a collaborative and dynamic team which assembles and motivates other designers, suppliers and finally client relationships. We are open to collaborating with other architectural firms or firms related to building con- struction. So far, we have collaborated with great success with G3 International on a large scale industrial site development. We have also collaborated with engineers from Lamia on small and medium scale residential developments.” Every project has its own challenges, but Eirini believes these can be used to the clients’ advantage when starting work on a project. “When working on a new project we try to see every challenge as an opportu- nity to create something new and exciting. Environmentally, most of the times buildings do not have good orientation, so there is the need for solutions in order to achieve thermal comfort internally. Daylight is also another important parameter, and we are always working to create light in dark spaces. “As far as aesthetics are concerned we try to understand what our client’s vi- sion is. Most of the times clients have an idea of what they want their space to look like or how they want to use it or circulate in it but cannot express it. Architecture has to do a lot with psychology. We have to listen, understand and decode what are our clients’ wishes and incorporate them to the design. “Therefore, in order to keep our clients happy, we inform them of every step of the process and we try to ensure that they understand and they are happy with it. We try our best to feel that they have the control over serious decisions either during the design stage or the construction.” Moving forward, Eirini makes it clear that the firm’s focus in the coming months will be international collaboration, as it seeks to build a name for itself in the global architectural market. “Our vision for the future is to get the opportunity to design and construct buildings in other parts of the world and to be given the chance to see other construction methods and design approaches. This will provide us with many exciting opportunities which we look forward to taking advantage of.” Edge Design Award for Innovation in Contemporary Design - Greece & Award for Excellence in Energy Efficient Design - Greece Edge Design is a firm of architects and engineers who design and construct buildings, and other physical structures, ranging from urban through to residential and commercial. We invited Founder Eirini Tsitoura to tell us more about the firm and its latest projects. E AR160106