Danai Tsigkanou
Architect
About
Danai is a multidisciplinary architect currently based in The Netherlands. In 2020, she received her first master’s degree in Architecture at the Polytechnic School of Democritus University of Thrace, Greece. Three years later, she graduated from the Delft University of Technology and the Berlage post-master, obtaining her second master’s in Architecture and Urban Design.
Her design values were honed since the early years of her education by Greece’s strong heritage and her interest in nature and social themes. She states that “circularity and sustainability are a necessity for minimizing the footprint of the construction industry” and “as designers and engineers, we should exceed the limits of contemporary architecture”.
Besides experience in housing, restoration, and complex projects, her background includes exhibitions at Het Nieuw Instituut, the 10th International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam, and Guggenheim Bilbao. Her knowledge and interest in various disciplines inspire her design to go beyond engineering norms.
Work Experience
Currently
Freelance
Based in NL
Collaborations with architects, engineers, artists
and researchers in The Netherlands and Greece on projects from housing to commercial buildings
CoFounder
reFused architects, GR
An initiative group of architects that organizes educational workshops focused on alternative building techniques
In the past
Designer
Studio Schaeffer, NL
Housing projects from small dwellings to multiple apartment buildings
Internships and Trainerships
Researcher
Ministry of Culture and Sports, GR
Research and documentation of the island’s
historic old town
Designer
Delblu Architects, GR
On-site work during the construction of a Hotel Unit
Exhibitions
Motion. Autos, Art, Architecture:
The Auto Drives Architecture
In collaboration with the Norman Foster Foundation, a series of documentary films were exhibited
from April till September 2022
Designing the Social: Interventions
The design of an intervation with new items to the on-going exhibition that took place
from September 2021 till January 2022
Takure: Symbolism and Life Impact
A selection of photos from the daily life and the buildings in Nepal after the deadly earthquake of 2015
Education
MSc Architecture and Urban Design
Delft University of Technology, NL
The Berlage Post-master in
Architecture and Urban Design
MSc Architecture
Democritus University of Thrace, GR
Polytechnic School,
Department of Architectural Engineering
Workshops and Volunteering
Workshop no.2, Aug 2020
Dome in Lefkada, GR
ReFused architects in collaboration with the team Building with Earth, guided the construction of a geodetic dome with natural construction materials
Workshop no.1, Aug 2019
Two small dwellings in Fthiotis, GR
ReFused architects in collaboration with the teams Building with Earth and Wheeling2Help, guided the construction of two geodetic buildings of 10cm2 each for accommodation purposes
Volunteering, Feb 2019
Conscious Impact, Takure, Nepal
Contributed to the construction of a Coffee Co-op dwelling for the village’s women made of earthbags, cob, and bamboo