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

A comprehensive discussion with the co-founder of Urban Soul Project.

Alumil Team

Updated 14/01/2022

7’ read

Interview: Giannis Sifnios

Some people manage to stand out through their work, creativity, and vision for growth. . Tasos Georgantzis, co-founder of the Urban Soul Project, is one such individual: with a broad and impressive body of work as an architect, a deep commitment to everything he undertakes, and a vision for expanding both his office's capabilities and the industry as a whole. In our conversation, he shared insights about the pivotal moments of his career, the challenges of modern architecture and the next steps for the Urban Soul Project.

USP's 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 architectural office?

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, in jobs that we didn’t find satisfying. So we decided that the only way to work in the way we wanted, was to start our own office. Twelve years have gone since then - the office today has more than 60 people, we have been involved in very large projects, in Greece and abroad; we are currently based in Thessaloniki, with an office in Athens and a small office in London. We are constantly growing and maturing.

Global presence

As you mentioned, Urban Soul Project may be based in Thessaloniki, but you also have an office in London and a global presence through a number of international projects. What are the main differences 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 view it, whether it's on the seafront in Thessaloniki, in Omonia Square or Covent Garden in London. The differences are mainly practical, as laws abroad of course differ, 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 recognized standards that certify the behavior 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

Do the circular economy and sustainability practices play an important role in the projects you design?

Following on from the previous question, I would say that the circular economy embodies values that must be integrated into architectural design. When we look at modern Greek cities, it becomes clear that they are often built on an outdated model, both in terms of individual buildings and overall neighborhood planning. Nevertheless, there are buildings of significant architectural value, for which a coordinated restoration effort should be made, including adjustments to meet modern needs and building standards.

Cooperation with ALUMIL

You have been closely cooperating with ALUMIL for some time now. A particularly interesting example 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 successfully collaborated with ALUMIL on some of our most challenging projects. The high quality and the ability to produce special frame constructions are ALUMIL’s unique offerings.

Especially for Zeus is Loose, the issue of frames was critical because of their size (the whole facade was opened up, the infill walls were removed, leaving only the structural frame). Furthermore, due to the size of the frames and the building's prominent location on Aristotelous Square, it was essential that the frames be of the highest quality. This would ensure they remain in excellent condition for the longest possible time, resist wear, and, ideally, never require replacement.

Broad portfolio

Your portfolio is quite extensive and multifaceted. It includes everything from hotels and retail outlets to offices, residences and restaurants. Did this broadness concern you regarding 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 any concern. 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 has a different working method but some rules are common: the insistence on detail, the choice of materials and forms. I can say with certainty that we want to be known for the quality of our work, regardless of the nature of each project, and not as a firm that does only hotels or offices or residences.

An architect’s challenges

The Urban Soul Project team has many members, with a large number of young architects in its ranks. What are the challenges for the architect embarking on 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 young people starting out today compared to their colleagues 20 years ago is their exposure to millions of images and references via the internet. A young person 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 he or she may not have the maturity to manage it. In addition, there are many more design and visualization tools available today. At our company, 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 truly lacking 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 often found myself reflecting on the answer. Personally, I divide the office's journey into three distinct phases, each marked by key projects and coinciding with changes in our premises. The first phase of the office's history was at our office at Mitropoleos Street, where we focused on smaller-scale projects, primarily apartments and shops, both in Greece and abroad. Our move to the Karippeion Melathron was accompanied by a series of larger-scale projects: hotels, offices and new constructions. Now, in this third phase, we've expanded with the opening of our Athens office and a significant increase in staff, reflecting the continued growth and evolution of our company. I don't know if I want to single out individual projects from this whole process because each one has its significance and played its own role in making us who we are today.