Eleni Tsigarida – Voted one of Greece’s 100 most influential people of 2024

Founding Member of the Architectural Firm Etsi Architects

It takes talent and a special inclination to turn any disadvantage into a powerful advantage.

Eleni Tsigarida, a graduate of the National Technical University of Athens, was the driving force behind the establishment of the architectural firm Etsi Architects, based in Kardamyli.

A bold professional initiative, far from major urban centers. Yet, despite this, the apparent challenge was transformed into a decisive asset. Thus, the natural environment and the aesthetics of the arid Mani became the canvas for crafting architectural masterpieces that have received significant awards and distinctions.

As Eleni Tsigarida has stated, the decision she and her team made to work in Mani, in its villages and amidst nature, “inspired us to seek beauty in simplicity. To connect more directly with clients and the environment, to put circular economy principles into practice, and to enjoy every moment of the creative process.”

In 2024, Etsi Architects was named Architectural Firm of the Year at the GRAIL Awards. Eleni Tsigarida succeeded in bringing together and creating a remarkable architectural family in the southern Peloponnese, with members from all corners of Greece and Europe.

Additionally, their project “The Inside Out House in Gonatsa” won an award in the “Single-Family Residence” category. This home features minimalist design lines, seamlessly unifying indoor and outdoor spaces in perfect harmony with nature.

In the same category, their project “Monastery House” received an honorable mention. Drawing inspiration from Maniot towers, monastic architecture, and Buddhist philosophy, three generations of the same family share a home that serves as a symbol, a refuge, and a beacon.

Moreover, Etsi Architects won first prize in a separate category for transforming The Old Customs House in Kardamyli into a modern residence. This landmark building, which has stood in the settlement’s old port since the 18th century, has now become a unique seaside living experience after an extensive design process and meticulous restoration techniques.

For Eleni Tsigarida, these awards are a testament to hard work and creativity. She emphasizes that “it is a great honor to have our choices recognized and validated—both as a team and as individuals.”