Kessariani 22: Histories and Projects. The exhibition design by Post-Spectacular Office

Central Image: Post-Spectacular Office

The area of Kaisariani presents special architectural qualities, well hidden beneath the ravages of time and modern apartment buildings. Almost 100 students were called to research the history of this identity as well as ways to preserve and showcase it through the programme “1922-2022: Refugee neighbourhoods. Sustainability and cultural heritage: The case of Kaisariani”, a collaboration between the Projective Cities MPhil in Architecture and Urban Design (Architectural Association, London School of Architecture) and the Faculty of Architecture of University of Cyprus. The team, led by Konstantinos Avramidis, Platon Issaias and Olga Balaoura, organised the presentation of this research programme as an exhibition, publication and conference, and activities took place around the neighbourhoods of Kaisariani. The exhibition at the Municipal Hall of Kaisariani, curated by Post-Spectacular Office, lasted from early November to early January, and we visited it to convey our experience to you. 

Photo: Post-Spectacular Office

The narration of the course, from 1922 to today, began with a maquette depicting a scene - the first housing typology that appeared in the area after the arrival of the refugees. Next, one noticed a table traversing the space, which consisted of two 3d printed models depicting the spatial evolution of Kaisariani, while across from it an impressive axonometric design functioned as a background for the models (which were founded on a plethora of cinder blocks) that depicted different buildings constructed by the Ministry of Welfare and the Workers’ Housing Organisation (OEK). The installation -with the various slogans, historical pictures of faces and places of the time and also rare publications- played a key role in the “Kessariani 22: Histories and Projects” exhibition, essentially placing the visitor within the social-historical context. At the end of the course, on the table, the students’ proposals were presented along with images that were representative of today’s situation in Kaisariani. The proposals concerned restoration and reuse plans for housing units, by adding volumes that could render the buildings functional today, as well as redevelopments of the public space and the space between the refugee buildings. It’s worth noting that the visual aspect of the exhibition was defined by white, black and red colours as well as bold capital letters, linking the display to its historical context but also to the Kaisariani Municipality Hall area itself.

Photo: Post-Spectacular Office

This exhibition managed to showcase a previously unexplored issue of Athens’ urban web, presenting in a direct and comprehensible way the work of students, professors and researchers from Greece and abroad. This was due to the formulation of an overall identity that characterises both exhibition design and graphic design. Tools like narration, comparison and the juxtaposition of data contribute to this direction and open the path for similar initiatives in the future. 

We thank Post-Spectacular Office for the visual material.

More about the programme of the “Kessariani 22: Histories and Projects” initiative here.