Philosophy

GM architects is founded around the idea of critical regionalism as Kenneth Frampton introduced it in 1983. Despite admiring the modernist masterpieces of the 20th c. we believe that the international style in many cases yielded sterile results to the reconstruction of cities. Therefore, by questioning the idea of the universal culture, we approach architecture and design through modernist, yet regional lens.

The re-interpretation of traditional and historic elements of a specific place plays a central role in our design process. These may stem from the local vernacular, the place’s history or a specific construction technique applied at that certain area, the genius loci -the spirit of the place-. By translating them to a contemporary vocabulary, we are therefore led to unique, bespoke proposals appropriate for their place and time.

From the first sketch to the fitting of furniture, architecture should be one seamless process. The practice, designs in all scales taking seriously into consideration how structural elements, materials and light come together in a meaningful way. The tectonic resolution of every building is always considered from the early stages of each project thus enabling us to carry a clear concept from design to construction.

For this reason, model-making is a major part of the design process throughout all of the project stages. Apart from final presentations, with models we have the opportunity to test material qualities, form-making or lighting design, whether this is through draft massing studies or through 1:1 scale mockups of building elements. In this way we are in a position to better inform our design approach which is heavily based on the binding of material and form.

Sustainability -in the case of buildings the ability to adapt and survive in its place for a long time- has three faces. Apart from the environmental, a building should also be resilient both economically and socially. In the case of a critically regionalist approach these two are easily achieved as we do not start from scratch but we rather utilize the accumulated wisdom of a specific place’s architecture and tectonic, thus providing socially and economically robust proposals that fit in their place.

However, with the building industry being responsible for 40% of greenhouse emissions worldwide, it is not a matter of aesthetics but a matter of professional responsibility to propose energy efficient spaces. Our knowledge of environmental design, enables us to create very high performing, low energy buildings, which merge together new technologies and lessons from traditional architecture in order to adapt to our rapidly changing climate. Our practice is able to achieve LEED Platinum and BREEAM Outstanding standards.