I am a Façade Engineer with 10 years experience. After earning my diploma in Civil Engineering, I combined my passion for physics and building technology with my respect for architecture by pursuing a Masters degree in Building Engineering from Delft University of Technology, specializing in façades. Following the MSc, I worked for 8 years as a façade consultant in London, as part of Buro Happold façades team. I had the chance to lead iconic, multidisciplinary, complex projects in the UK and worldwide, including Malaysia Square of Battersea Power Station (UK), Manchester Airport (UK), Oxagon, NEOM (Saudi Arabia), among others. Since September 2024 I am based in Athens, Greece, continuing my façade career as a façade specialist, providing services to Greek façade contractors (F-Nous) as well as international façade consultancies (Thornton Tomasetti, Meihardt). My career growth envisages Greek and international collaborations, with values of sustainability and innovation.
Q1 – How did your journey in façade engineering begin, and what initially sparked your interest in the field?
I initially chose Civil Engineering because I was drawn to STEM -the degree naturally exposes you to a wide range of paths. Façade engineering, though, is a very specific field and not one you typically plan for early on, especially in Greece where it hasn’t traditionally been a standalone discipline.
I was led to façades through a series of academic choices, shaped by a strong interest in engineering design, maths and physics, and a growing appreciation for architecture. Façade engineering sits right at that intersection, which is what sparked my interest and continues to keep me engaged in the field.
Q2 – Given your experience in both the UK and Greece, is there still the same demand for façade engineers on Greek projects? Is there still a general approach to approach Contractors directly?
Demand for façade engineers is still higher in the UK, mainly due to the larger and more mature construction market. The construction sector in Greece has been facing the regression results of a significant economic crisis for about a decade, and it is only recently rising again. However, it is growing fast, and so does the need for façade specialized design.
This demand is especially visible in larger, more complex projects that aim for high performance in an optimized performance in daylight, thermal conditions, noise control, fire safety etc. To meet these standards within the Greek climate and regulatory context, dedicated façade design input is becoming increasingly important.
In terms of procurement, it’s still more flexible than in the UK. While specialist consultants are becoming more involved, it’s quite common for contractors to be approached directly by clients or architects to provide façade expertise.
Q3 – Do you encounter the same or any different design challenges on Greek projects when compared those in the UK?
The outline of main design parameters for a modern building can be identified in both countries. Structural safety, comfort to users via well-designed building physics aspects (thermal, acoustic, lighting), safety against fire.
The differences come from local conditions. In Greece, façades must respond to harsher solar exposure, coastal environments, strong winds, and larger temperature swings. Seismic activity is also a key factor, which isn’t a consideration in the UK. Also locally available materials and more traditional construction methods can shape how designs are detailed and built. So while the design principles are similar, the solutions need to be adapted to the Greek context.
Q4 – With the introduction of the Building Safety Act in the UK, increased guidance/regulations around the fire performance of materials, and a tighter focus on sustainability including embodied carbon in the UK, have you felt the impacts of these changes in Greece?
Yes—those shifts in the UK are echoing in Greece, even if the pace and regulatory depth differ.
On the sustainability side, the direction is very aligned. As energy performance standards tighten across Europe, façade design in Greece has become a central lever for reducing operational energy use. Given the country’s high solar exposure and significant cooling loads, façade strategies—like shading, glazing ratios, and material selection—play a major role in environmental performance and user comfort. It’s also increasingly common for new developments in Greece to target sustainability certifications, reflecting a similar market push seen in the UK around embodied carbon and whole-life performance.
Fire safety is evolving more gradually. Greece hasn’t yet reached the same level of prescriptive regulation introduced through the Building Safety Act. However, there is clear momentum. Industry groups, academic institutions, and public authorities are collaborating to strengthen fire safety awareness and standards. For example, organizations like Hellenic Institute for the Fire Protection of Structures (ELIPYKA) are actively promoting better practices and knowledge sharing.
Q5 – What do you find is the biggest difference between working in London and working in Greece (apart from the considerably better weather)?!
The biggest difference is how established façade engineering is as a discipline. In the UK, it’s a well-defined, highly visible role with clear processes, early involvement in projects, and strong industry infrastructure. In Greece, it’s still evolving—less formally recognized, but rapidly growing, which means more opportunity to shape how the field develops.
There are also practical differences in regulations, construction methods, and supply chains, so technical solutions need adapting to local requirements.
The differences between the two counties extend beyond technical aspects, into cultural ones, from the way professional communication / coordination is set up down to networking activities.
Q6 – It’s great to see the SFE Greek Hub materialising. What can we look forward to, and what are you most excited about?
It’s genuinely exciting to see the SFE Greek Hub taking shape. Launched in 2025, it’s already building momentum—appearing at industry conferences in Greece, attracting members from diverse backgrounds, and setting both short- and long-term goals.
What stands out most is the creation of a “safe space” for knowledge exchange. The Hub brings together professionals with international façade engineering experience, locally established engineers, and newcomers to the field. That mix creates real value—people can share insights, learn from each other, and help raise the overall standard of the industry in Greece.