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Ruins [part II]

The time has come for the second part of the series of posts dedicated to contemporary architectural ruins in modern Greece. This part is also focusing on the work of the Greek architect Aris Konstandinidis, and particularly on the Xenia hotel of Andros island, named Triton.

All pictures in this photo-essay were shot during the windy and rainy September of 2014, capturing the decadent state of the ruined hotel, which still stands monumental on the promenade of Andros port, facing directly to the north of the Aegean Sea.

Aris Konstantinidis was born in 1913 and passed away in 1993, being one of the major representatives of architectural modernism in contemporary Greek architecture. His work is characterised by the utilisation of both natural and traditional elements, interweaved with prominent concrete blocks and other modern constructive material. The lines and forms of his designs are clear, straightforward and uncomplicated, smoothly morphing into integral parts of the surrounding natural or human environment.

The Xenia hotel of Andros was built during 1958 in the capital of the island, being the first Xenia hotel designed by the architect, who subsequently designed many more for the Greek Tourism Organisation. The Xenia hotel of Andros was operational until 1999, when it fell into disrepair and desolation. The architectural design of Triton Xenia hotel has been heavily influenced by Konstantinidis’ former work and design of public housing building (1, 2) for the greek poor labour class of the late ‘40s and early ‘50s. The famous architect had not only designed the hotel building it self, but also its finest details including among others the furniture. Nowadays the building is abandoned, completely vandalised and in a grave static state, in the verge of collapse, dangerous for passing-by pedestrians. Amidst this miserable condition the Triton Xenia hotel was designated in 20011 as a modern monument by the Greek Ministry of Culture, alas to no avail for its preservation and restoration. Following the sweeping wave of privatisation of the Greek state’s public property, it has been included in the infamous inventories of the controversial Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund for sale as a “boutique hotel”. Despite the gloomy opportunities to exploit this monumental building, architects and relevant schools have thoroughly worked for its restoration and endorsement as contemporary monument of modern Greek architecture.

Triton Hotel still stands on the port of the capital of Andros island to remind its visitors of the Greek architectural modernism movement, that aimed and struggled to change for the best the conception -and not its surface- of this country. Despite the immense time, effort and resources invested, the movement has left us with countless cases, renowned and famous for their simplicity and clear design, Most of these monumental and unique structures that still survive and especially pubic buildings that hold a superior prestige and status, are left in ruins to fade and collapse. This ill-fated destiny and complete disrespect of public space and public buildings/structures has been haunting the Greek society for the past three decades. Unfortunately today anything relevant to the use, restoration and utilisation of public space is left to “private initiatives”, which of course primarily, if not exclusively, benefit in all aspects the proprietors!

As Aris Konstantinidis mentioned during an interview to Mr. Themelis in 1991 “All Xenia hotels that I have designed and built, have become unrecognisable; in their colours, furniture, everything... And I wonder for what was everything done then?” (”The Word of the Archmason”, Indiktos press 2001).