ABOUT

“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used
when we created them.”

(A. Einstein)

What is AAO?

Against All Odds is a mechanism that produces thoughts, ideas and actions, abbreviated to AAO project.

Specifically, AAO is:
First, a thinking mechanism: it promotes debate on occurring issues which need to be addressed within the framework of Architecture (in its wider understanding as spatial practice) regarding society, ecology and culture.
Second, a disseminator of ideas: it raises public awareness on the value of Architecture (as spatial practice) in resolving significant current issues, as well as in offering a podium for the promotion of projects that address its main philosophy.
Third, an action tank: it sets targets for the fulfillment of which it creates partnership models with organizations, educational institutions and designers, becoming their strategic partner.

AAO’s scope of activities

Above all, Against All Odds aims to detect and investigate the issue through which a solution to contemporary social, ecological and cultural problems is derived; a solution which is related to Architecture either in the existing framework of the discipline or through a necessary transformation within it. This is the object of research and, therefore, the subject matter of Against All Odds.

At the same time, AAO project aims to inform and raise public awareness as to the function and positive effect of Architecture for the benefit of society as a whole. But also as to the art of Architecture to act ‘as a mediator of social tensions and be considered as a resource, one of the instruments which contribute to the balance of society.1 ‘To try to carry out strategies that contribute to the overall quality of human settlements. Το bring to society special knowledge, skills, and aptitudes essential to the development of the built environment of their societies and cultures.2

1 Architectural Education: Basic Categories and Dimensions, in Unesco-UIA Charter of Architectural education. UIA Architectural education. Reflections and Recommendations. Barcelona: Gráficas Forum, February 2008, p.26
2 Recommended Guidelines for the Policy on Ethics and Conduct. Preamble, in UIA Accord on Recommended Standards of Professionalism in Architectural Practice. Gaithersburg, Maryland: Balmar Solutions in Print, December 2006, p.59

What is Architecture?

Space is by its very nature social, and society is spatial. Architecture exists to serve society primarily by designing and planning its spatial infrastructure. Thus by Architecture we mean all territorial practices that contribute to spatial solutions for the benefit of society.

Architecture is moreover the means through which we comprehend the city, the society, the space, in order to start finding solutions towards these directions. Thus spatial practice, territorial practice and Architecture are from now on synonymous.

AAO basic principles

Multidisciplinary approach – it employs a combination of related creative fields such as Architecture, Art and Design, for the creation of a multilateral creative practice acting in the benefit of society in its whole.

Global issue perception.

Local perception application.

AAO restructures its form and suggests a different answer depending on the issue it has chosen to address.

What does the name AAO indicate?

The name Against All Odds indicates the quality of energy required for every transformation, but also the teamwork and care needed so that a transformation can both be expressed and realized for the benefit of society. ΑΑΟ firmly believes in the need for the inauguration and continual renewal of a reflective and willed effort to reshape our institutions to our recognized needs and desires. ΑΑΟ is a mechanism to process and internalize new and crucial external factors; and this mechanism works on two interconnected levels: first, on the level of pure action, moving freely on the pragmatic plane of the making of things; second, on the level of culture: the plane where architecture is a specific kind of socially symbolic production whose primary task is the construction of concepts and subject positions, be it theory or criticism.