Interview with Chrysi Vrantsi

Ever since I can remember I wanted to be an artist, in my childhood I expressed myself through my oil paintings, figures and portraits. Architecture changed my whole view of art. Architecture is a unique combination of art and science.

There are three aspects that I consider to be the most important in design. First, the geographical aspect, the connection and integration of the building with the landscape, secondly the technological, the design innovation. Thirdly, the aesthetics that refer to the forms and the final result of the design. I develop my projects using digital tools, computer aided design using parametric design software. In order to visualize my works, I prefer to do both 3D visualizations and physical models, this depends on the project i design.

When I design I feel free, calm and creative. Design opens the mind, broadens our perspectives and horizons. For me, the most exciting phase of a design process is when you already have some first ideas in mind and then try to create architectural forms in a dynamic and continuous design process. Design fulfills me, I could not even imagine my life without this creative process. I can not easily describe the feeling of happiness I feel when I design It is a unique and irreplaceable feeling.

In my life I learned that it is not enough to be talented and just develop your design skills to be a good designer, you have first to learn to dedicate yourself to your life goals, work hard and have patience in life and above all to you learn from failure. These are some valuable skills that a designer needs to develop and these skills have helped me so far to create my own unique career path. I learned that the journey I chose would not be easy, but dedicating myself to what I love most would benefit me not only as a designer but also as a person. Inspired by designers I met in my life, I changed my whole theory of life.

As for my design company Vrantsi, we have set short-term and long-term professional goals. The path I take to achieve my goals involves hard work and dedication. In the future I want my works to reflect myself and be unique, I want to be remembered for my designs. Our project is a private villa located on the Mediterranean coast in Greece. We want our work to be integrated into the Mediterranean landscape and at the same time to promote a bold and dynamic aesthetic.A long - term professional goal In my life that I would like to have is the opportunity to design an Olympic stadium. The Olympic Games started in Greece, and I would be very happy and proud to design such a project.

I would say "Become the creator of your own and unique path in Art and Architecture. Work hard, follow your dreams, do not be afraid to lose, learn from victory and defeat"

There is no recipe for success, but hard work is always a practice that designers must follow. One piece of advice from me to fellow designers is to never stop trying to improve, you always have something new to offer, a better self to show in your next project, a second tip is to enjoy their journey.

At this stage in my life, most of my daily life is about my job, the short-term and long-term goals that my company sets. I usually start my work early, I think the morning is the most productive and creative time for me. Every morning, when I'm still at home, I organize my daily work schedule. At work, we usually arrange meetings with our employees to be informed about the project process and to make a schedule to meet our deadlines. Usually, during the day I like to take some breaks. What I enjoy most is a coffee and some music, these little things make me relax and rejoice. During the day I find time to keep up to date with the latest design news.

For me, an informed architect must have in mind all the trends and styles of the decades and propose something innovative and different. There is no right or wrong way to integrate "trends" in design. Some trends have been developed through technological innovation in the construction sector, such as 3D printing. But for me the most important thing in design is to develop your own unique architectural style, to build a building that is purely your own and to create your own and unique aesthetic,your signature.

The design idea of the designer is the first thing I consider when deciding whether or not I like a particular project. After that, I wonder what this project proposes as new and innovative. Then I wonder how effectively this project interacts with the environment, society and the landscape. When a project is completed it must meet all the goals it sets effectively.

This is a really special moment for me. It's the moment I look at my presentation for my work and I can clearly understand my design intent. My work is ready when I look at my building and at the same time it is like listening to a soft sound of light music.

A special project that I am proud of is an apartment building that we designed for a client in Greece. We also developed a facade construction at the entrance of the building. It was the first large-scale project we designed with my company Vrantsi and that is why I am emotionally connected to it. We developed it in rhinoceros software. We also did a virtual reality simulation to present the building and each apartment separately. We are now excited about a private villa we are designing on a Greek island in a unique seaside landscape.

There are so many amazing designers I admire for their work and design approach, Renzo Piano, Neri Oxman, Zaha Hadid and so many others, each completely different and unique in their own way

Culture is the way of life of an entire society, closely linked to art, beliefs, religion, politics. there is a city that inspires me is Paris, it is a city - the sculpture itself, with beautiful and elegant aesthetics. I love the Parisian way of life, there is a sense of magic in the atmosphere. Culture definitely influences my design projects. I live in Greece in Thessaloniki which has a unique culture.

At Vrantsi we believe that every architectural proposal is an artistic intention / challenge that evolves and takes its final form and substance as a new work of art that develops in the three-dimensional space. This is the focus of our plans, from the first idea to the completion of our projects. Our goal is to connect the lines between science and art, while building an innovative future. Choosing a business partner is a difficult task. You have to share common values. In my work I usually work with other engineers. Cooperation is not always easy but it is necessary and benefits everyone.

Designers and architects must be involved in humanitarian projects in an effort to make our world a better and more equal environment for people. I always have the above in mind during the design process. Architecture can be considered a public art for all people, an art to which all people must have access. Participating in humanitarian projects and events is a good start to promoting this aspect of design.

A design award is a valuable opportunity for designers to showcase their work by bringing together designers, companies and the press, it is very important to make your work public. In addition, meeting other designers is something that benefits all participants to discuss and improve themselves. The A 'Design Award is a truly unique award because it highlights projects that are innovative, it provides a fair, ethical and competitive platform for designers from all design fields.

I believe that every project is a challenge for me to deliver something beautiful and unique. In every project I want to improve myself, it motivates me to become a better designer. The sense of creation is what made me become a designer. I could not even imagine my life without creativity .

No, it was absolutely my choice. When I was a child I wanted to become an artist, in my childhood I expressed myself through my oil paintings, After the first year of studies in architecture I realized that being an architect was the destination of my life. Architecture is a combination of art and science and design is the balanced integration of artistic sensitivity and the scientific design process.

I mainly deal with interior decoration, furniture design and architectural design of buildings. What I like most are the buildings, I prefer to design public buildings that people have access to. Architecture is a work of art for people and its greatest beauty comes when it is accessible to all people

Follow their dreams and work hard.

It is much more difficult to become a great designer than a good designer. A good designer gets this title from people who are not involved in the field of design, to be a great designer you must be recognized for your work by experts in your field.

Evaluating a project is a complex process. A good design must meet the design goals set by the designer or the client. I personally believe that a really good design should be innovative. For me this is the main difference between a good design and a really good design, that a really good design has to come up with something new for the design industry.

Good design is valuable, it could make our lives better. Good design should focus on promoting environmental awareness, security, equality and resilience resistance of the future cities. For this reason we should invest in good design

If I had time I would like to design a public space for my city Thessaloniki, a space accessible to the people, to involve in outdoor activities.

If I had the opportunity I would like to design an Olympic stadium. The Olympic Games started in Greece, I would be very happy and proud to design such a project.

There is no a secret recipe just give time and love to things you love

I admire and I am inspired by Claude Parent's designs, Zaha Hadid buildings and
by the revolutionary mind of Neri Oxman.

I would become an artist or a scientist. Both are creative and constitute two different perspectives of architecture Art and Science.

I think the values my family promotes helped me. Both my parents supported me in my steps and gave me the strength to fight for my dreams. Also the people who trusted me in my first steps academically and professionally.

I think I have an inner need for creativity that needs to come out and be expressed. This "need" helped me to express myself through my design projects. It is a constant and unlimited energy.

I started as an artist in my childhood, I learned that we have to go from a real figure (model) to the abstract (artwork). But the architecture is completely different architecture starts from abstract to create something real. I had to overcome these theoretical obstacles I had in my mind to understand what architecture is

It depends on the design and the personality and aesthetics of the designer. Presentations are something very personal, it is really interesting to imagine how many different ways there are to present a work. (presentation colors, textures, designs, videos, VR, etc.)

My next design project is a private villa located on the Mediterranean coast in Greece. We want our project to be integrated into the Mediterranean landscape and at the same time to promote a bold and dynamic aesthetic.

We are currently completing the design of the facade of an apartment building in Greece. In addition, we have just completed a beach bar project located in Thassos in Greece.

It took me about two years to design this particular design.

I start from geographical features, social features as well as the history of the site.

Every project you complete must reflect yourself

There is no right or wrong procedure. For me, an informed architect must have in mind all the trends and style of the decades and propose something innovative and different. Some trends have been developed through technological innovation in the construction sector.

Every project you complete must reflect yourself

That I need to learn more about it. How it works, what technology it uses, what the material is and more information about the designer or company.

My ideal design partner is my sister Anastasia Vrantsi, we already work together in several projects and we are co founders of our firm Vrantsi

I believe that the architect Jacques Rougerie, whom I had the opportunity to meet two years ago in Paris, influenced me more in my design. He is a visionary architect and develops a biomimetic, bio-inspired architectural approach.

Here you can find some of the books that influenced me most during my design process.
Carpo Mario, "The alphabet and the algorithm"
Neil Leach, "Design for a digital world"
Terzidis Kostas, "Algorithmic Architecture"

A designer never stops developing his skills. I believe that being a designer is a constant research. As a designer I always have to design at the ends of technology and materials-science.

If it was possible, I would like to talk with Fidias. Phidias was a Greek sculptor, painter, and architect influenced countless artists and engineers over the centuries. Art and science intersected perfectly in Fidias masterpieces.

Vrantsi is a construction and architecture firm based in Thessaloniki, Greece. Founded by Anastasia and Chrysi Vrantsi in 2019, Vrantsi undertakes renovation and construction projects developing both their architectural design and construction completion. Inspired by the thin lines between science and art our firm is committed to developing sophisticated architectural designs and high quality outcomes.
Every architectural proposal is an artistic intention / challenge that evolves and takes its final form and substance as a new piece of art developing in the three dimensional space. This is the centerpiece of our designs, from the first idea to the completion of our projects.

It is a three-dimensional expression of materiality, a materiality that is dynamic in its form and essence. Architecture explores space and form, from the abstract to the real.

I mainly like to design public buildings that people have access to. Architecture is a piece of art for people and its highest beauty arises when it is accessible to all.

The first thing I designed for a company was a project called biodigital urban curtain, it was during my internship in London at ecoLogicStudio, led by Claudia Pasquero and Marco Poletto, I was part of the design team, we designed a large-scale installation, in collaboration with Climate-KIC presented in Dublin during the week of Climate Innovation Summit 2018 at Dublin Castle. The project has been awarded the following year.

As an architect, concrete is one of the most beautiful materials used for architectural purposes. 3d printing is an emerging technology. Nowadays, there is an exponential increase in the possibilities of 3d printing and computational design.Additive manufacturing is a
promising method in construction industry. 3d printing process and computational design allows optimizing the distribution of materials, It is an innovative technique that enhances overall processes from design to fabrication by incorporating various materials, structural and geometrical data.

I feel more creative especially early in the morning in my office. Early in the morning I am calm and quite productive. It is very valuable to have time for planning and a specific workplace. At that time I can be free to make my own sketches and models, my mind is open to new design ideas and design challenges.

There are many design aspects that define my design principles. The geographical features, the social characteristics as well as the history of each region are some of these aspects. Defining design principles is important for creating a structure that respects geographical, cultural and social characteristics. In my designs, lines, shapes and materiality are design elements that are very important, more specifically I prefer dynamic shapes and sharp angles to create a futuristic and bold aesthetic, finally I find it very interesting to use high-tech materials that are eco friendly.

When I design I feel free, calm and creative. The design process opens the mind, broadens our perspectives and horizons.

The result of the design process is the completion of the construction of each project. It is a unique experience to visit the building you have designed. This feeling is hard to be described . I feel so many emotions in the same time and my heart beats at a higher rate than usual.

It depends on each specific project. A design is successful when it is effective and efficient in fulfilling its purpose.

The design idea of the designer is the first thing I consider when deciding whether or not I like a particular project. After that, I wonder what this project proposes as new and innovative. Then I ask my self how effectively this project interacts with the environment, society and the landscape.

All designers must work to create a better environment and a better society. By making informed decisions, designers can reduce the environmental impact, build a better, fairer and safer society.

The design sector is dynamic, there are so many design technologies and tools being developed at the same time. We can not be sure of future planning(Robotic construction, 3D printing, 3D multimedia printing, algorithmic design etc).

Our project “Project C” was exhibited in June 2020 at the Institut de France and in September 2020 at the Cité de l'Architecture in Paris.

I am inspired by materials technologies and emerging innovations in the construction industry. I like to create buildings that become a unique experience for visitors. There are many benefits to incorporating new technologies into building design. That's why I try to learn as much as possible about the latest design methodologies and construction technologies.

My architectural design style can be described as free form with strong aesthetic elements in geometry and materiality (sharp corners, curves, concrete, etc.) As an architect and artist during my studies, I was amazed by Claude Parent's designs. His approach depicts structures, flowing, curved shapes as he progressed from the abstract to the real. His designs made me explore this design approach and aesthetic not only in Art but also in Architecture. This can be achieved through recent design approaches (parametric design) and through emerging design technologies.

I live in Greece, a country that is very closely associated with architecture since ancient times. Mediterranean aesthetic effects my designs. Especially aesthetic values ​​such as balance and harmony , pure textures and materials. Staying in Greece has some advantages and some disadvantages. One advantage is that there are some beautiful locations especially on the islands which are the ideal locations to design a building. A disadvantage is that there are strict urban design rules that limit the typology of buildings.

I work at "Vrantsi" which is our firm of architecture and construction . But sometimes we work with other construction companies, especially on large-scale projects.

A designer must meet the design skills required by the company. But the criteria of a good designer are different for each company depending on the philosophy of the company. I believe that there are some common values that a good designer has, passion and love for design, patience and ambition for the future.

Become the creator of your own and unique path in Art and Architecture. Work hard, follow your dreams, do not be afraid to lose, learn from victory and defeat.

Being a designer has positives and negatives. If you want to make a career and become a good Designer - Artist - Architect, you work not only out of necessity, but also to move forward and succeed. The road to success is a combination of determination, ability, passion, discipline and luck. This endless effort to become better and design something unique and different is also beautiful but sometimes difficult, stressful and demanding.

In every project you fulfill, you should see yourself in it

First you need to develop some personal skills such as patience and hard working . But there are also many skills that you must fulfill, such as knowledge of construction, analytical thinking skills, creativity and infinite passion for artistic research. An architect is both an artist and a scientist and has to serve both titles.

I usually design with Rhinoceros , which is a CAD software with a number of 3D modeling tools and grasshopper, a plug-in included in the Rhinoceros 3D modeling software. It is a tool for algorithmic modeling,

Sometimes there is no way to manage your time, when you start a project, you can not always set a specific start and end point. Architecture is not a routine job, this is something that architects learn from their academic years.

Depending on the project, a specific schedule cannot be easily set.

One question I am usually asked is how can I work so many hours a week. Architectural design and construction are based on projects and we must meet deadlines. In addition, being an architect is not a 9 to 5 job, it is a creative process and there is no starting and ending point. So this happens automatically.

It was my work at ecologic studio, I believe it was a lifetime experience, the studio has a unique design approach that reevaluates the relationship with our environment and envisions a world in which all ‘beings’ could be in harmony with each other through a found balance.

Most of our clients are entrepreneurs and we deal mainly with private construction and architectural projects.

I prefer architectural buildings and constructions, this is what I like most, I think it is very interesting to get from a design idea to a real construction.

Our future plan of our company is to deal with bigger design projects. We want to be known for our work and to be exposed to a wider range of clients in Greece and abroad.

The designs or Vrantsi’s projects are being developed by me. Although, the structural analysis and the financial project management is being carried by Anastasia Vrantsi, Structural Engineer, MBA and cofounder of the company

We are currently completing the design of the facade of an apartment building in Greece. In addition, we have just completed a beach bar project located in Thassos in Greece.

People can contact me via my business email chrysi@vrantsi.com or my business phone which is 00306932465079