Tasos Georgantzis: "Every project is a new challenge, a new adventure"

An all-encompassing conversation with the co-founder of Urban Soul Project.

Alumil Team

Updated 14/01/2022

7’ read

Some people manage to stand out through their work, their creativity and their vision for evolution. Tasos Georgantzis, co-founder of the Urban Soul Project, is a man who seems to have all of the above: broad and remarkable work as an architect, seriousness in everything he undertakes and a vision for expanding the capabilities of his office and the industry in general. In the conversation we had, he spoke to us about the important moments of his career, the challenges of modern life and the architecture and the next steps of the Urban Soul Project.

The USP vision

Mr. Georgantzis, what was the vision behind the Urban Soul Project and how do you assess its progress so far, 12 years after the establishment of the agency?

The firm was founded in 2009, in a very difficult time for the Greek economy and the construction sector in particular. Up to that point, my partner, Kostas Floros, and I had been working in design and construction offices, doing jobs that didn't satisfy us. So we decided that the only way to do the work that we want to do, and in the way we want to do it, is to start our own office. Since then 12 years have passed, the office today has more than 60 people, we have done very large projects, in Greece and abroad; we are currently based in Thessaloniki, we have an office in Athens and a small office in London. We are constantly growing and becoming more mature.

International presence

As you mentioned, Urban Soul Project may be based in Thessaloniki, but you also have an office in London and a presence with many international projects. What are the main differences you face when you undertake a project in Greece compared to a project abroad?

Apart from London, we have undertaken projects in Brussels, Paris, Milan, various German cities, Cyprus. Every project is a new challenge, a new adventure and that's how we see it, whether it's on the beach in Thessaloniki, in Omonia Square or Covent Garden in London. The differences are mainly practical, as the legislation abroad is of course different, we do not have easy access to our suppliers and, above all, we do not have the opportunity to visit the project as often as we would like, both during the design and the construction period.

Environment & architecture

In a world under the threat of critical environmental issues, what do you think is the future of contemporary architecture?

At USP, we see the requirement to design to environmental standards as a challenge rather than a difficulty. We are very proud because the first WELL and LEED certified building in Greece, the new PRODEA office buildings in Athens, is our project. These are two globally recognised standards that certify the behaviour of a building both externally, towards its environment, and internally, towards its users. All in all, however, I cannot imagine how the architecture could evolve in any meaningful way if it did not start to incorporate environmental specifications.

Circular economy

How important is the role of circular economy and sustainability practices in the projects you design?

Following on from the previous question, I would say that the circular economy promotes values that need to be incorporated into architectural design. Looking at modern Greek cities, one realizes that they are designed based on a completely outdated model, both at the building and the neighbourhood level. Nevertheless, there are buildings of significant architectural value, for which a concerted effort should be made to restore them and adapt them to modern needs and building standards.

Cooperation with ALUMIL

You maintain close cooperation with ALUMIL. A particularly interesting example of cooperation with the company is the Zeus is Loose hostel, in the heart of Thessaloniki. Tell us about this project and the role that ALUMIL systems played in the final result.

Indeed, we have an excellent partnership with ALUMIL on some of our most challenging projects. The non-negotiable high quality and the ability to produce special frame constructions are unique characteristics of ALUMIL.

Especially for Zeus is Loose, the issue of the frames was critical because of their size (in fact the whole facade was opened up, the infill walls were removed and only the structural frame remained). Moreover, due to their size and the location of the building (the main face is on Aristotelous Square), it was requested that the frames should be of the highest quality so that they do not wear out, be maintained in excellent condition for the longest possible period and of course not require replacement.

Broad portfolio

Your portfolio of works is very extensive and multifaceted. Among others, it includes everything from hotels and retail outlets to offices, residences and restaurants. Did this kind of broadness worry you in relation to the identity of the office or do you seek this pluralism?

In no way does the variety in the nature of the projects we undertake cause us stress. On the contrary, I would say that it is called for. In the office at the moment, we are working in different teams: hotels, offices, shops and F&B, apartments and new buildings. Each team works in a different way but some rules are common: the insistence on detail, the choice of materials and forms. I would say with certainty that we want to be characterized by the quality of our work, regardless of the nature of each project, and not as an agency that does hotels or offices or residences.

The challenges of the architect

The team of Urban Soul Project has many members, with a large number of young architects in its ranks. What are the challenges for the architect starting his/her career today and how do they differ from the challenges you faced when you started out?

Indeed, the team is large and consists mostly of young architects - the average age is about 32. The key difference for children starting out today compared to their colleagues 20 years ago is their exposure to millions of images and references via the internet. A child finishing architecture today has seen thousands of projects all over the world, has access to materials and has a much richer vocabulary, which works both positively and negatively, because it is not self-evident that he or she has the maturity to manage it. In addition, there are many more design and visualisation tools available today. At the firm we invest in training and familiarization with these tools, both for younger and more experienced architects.

Architectural competitions

In the last two years, several architectural competitions have taken place, focusing on the city of Thessaloniki, such as ArXellence, the competition for the redevelopment of the TIF, and the one for Aristotelous Square. How do you assess this mobility? Do you think that better days are ahead for the urban fabric of the city?

It is certain that discussions about major redevelopments have returned on the agenda of Greek cities. Well-designed public spaces and green spaces are sought, spaces where the collective character of the city can be expressed. Unfortunately, Greek cities are really lacking in such spaces. ALUMIL's initiative with the international ArXellence competition is excellent. Especially in Thessaloniki, a city that is both large and small, these redevelopments are of enormous value. A lot of important work has already been done and I think in the next few years the picture of the city will be constantly changing.

Brief review

If I were to ask you for a brief review of 2021, regarding the activities of the Urban Soul Project, which parts of the journey would you focus on?

Good question, and because we are currently preparing a big anniversary edition for the twelve years of the office, I have found myself searching for the answer several times. Personally, I divide the course of the office into three phases, which are perhaps marked by some projects but also coincide with the changes in the premises where the office was housed. The first period of the office found us in the office of Mitropoleos and is characterized by smaller-scale projects, mainly apartments and shops, in Greece and abroad. Our move to the Karippeion Melathron brought a series of larger-scale projects: hotels, offices and new constructions. The third period, which we are now in, is characterised by the opening of the Athens office and the significant increase in the office's staff. I don't know if I want to single out individual projects from this whole process because each one has its own importance and played its own role in making us the office we are today.