Dimitris Pikionis

Dimitris Pikionis (1887-1968) was a Greek architect and academic. He was born in Piraeus to parents from Chios. Pikionis studied civil engineering at the National Technical University of Athens. He continued his studies in Paris, focusing on painting and architecture. His first project was the Moraitis House in Tzitzifies, completed between 1921 and 1923, which exemplifies the character of Attic folk architecture. In 1925, he was appointed to the Chair of Decorative Arts at the National Technical University of Athens and published the renowned article titled "Folk Art and Us." In 1932, he designed the Municipal School in Pefkakia and the Marika Kotopouli Summer Theater, inspired by Japanese theater stages, which no longer exists. In 1933, he built the Experimental School of Thessaloniki. In 1949, he constructed the house-studio of sculptor Frosso Efthymiadi-Menegaki at 1 Grypari Street, in the Kypriadou - Ano Patissia neighborhood. Between 1951 and 1957, he developed the archaeological sites surrounding the Acropolis, a highly significant and commendable work. His last notable creation, dated 1961-1964, was the Philothei Playground, which combines Greek and Eastern traditions. In 1966, he was elected a regular member of the Academy of Athens. He passed away in Athens on August 28, 1968.