The great architect Alexandros Topazis passed away at the age of 85. He was one of the most distinguished Greek architects, known for his pioneering work and his contribution to bioclimatic architecture.

Born in India in 1939, he moved with his family to Greece in 1947. He was an honors graduate of the E.M.P. School of Architecture (1962). In the period 1963 – 1965 he was a curator in the Department of Architectural Compositions of the NTUA. From 1964 to 1966 he worked as a scientific assistant to Constantinos A. Doxiadis, where he engaged in theoretical studies and research. In 1963 he founded the “Alexandros N. Topazis” Study Office and had undertaken architectural projects in Greece and abroad.

From the 1970s onwards he was mainly involved in architecture with an emphasis on bioclimatic design and applied its principles on a large scale. His architectural works and texts have been published in publications inside and outside Greece, in architectural magazines, the daily and periodical press as well as in conference proceedings.

Alexandros Topazis designed exceptional buildings, not only in Greece but also in Europe and the Middle East. Impressive residences, educational buildings, offices, hospitals and even places of worship bear his signature.

Among them stand out the famous Roman Catholic church of the Holy Trinity in Fatima, Portugal, the Evangelical School in Nea Smyrni, the extension of the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, the Medical Center of Athens, etc.

He had taken part as a judge in many architectural competitions, and in expert committees on alternative energy sources. He was visiting examiner of the Dublin and Strathclyde schools of architecture in Glasgow. He had lectured in more than 24 countries. He had been honored in more than 95 pan-Hellenic competitions by invitation and in 15 international competitions.

Informed of the loss of Alexandros N. Topazis, the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni made the following statement:

“We say goodbye to Alexandros N. Topazis with great sadness, but also with great gratitude for his deep imprint on architecture, on our cities, on the public space. Alexandros N. Topazis, with a fruitful career of six decades, is rightly ranked among the greatest post-war architects. Already from the first years of his activity, he had a decisive contribution to the renewal of neo-Greek architecture and its transition from modernism to postmodernism. Essentially introducing, with his visionary spirit, bioclimatic planning in our country, a capital already established, but with enormous criticality and potential for the future of our cities.

Alexandros N. Topazis was an internationally distinguished and recognized architect. His legacy lives on in his dozens of projects, from the pioneering Difros housing complex to the University of Patras School of Pharmacy building and, of course, the Church of the Holy Trinity in Fatima, Portugal. The latest example of his work is the collaboration of his office with David Chipperfield in the proposal for the New National Archaeological Museum, which was qualified and is on the way to implementation.

Alexandros N. Tombazis was, however, a unique teacher, in theory, with his numerous writings, but also in practice. Some of the greatest Greek architects of the last half century studied under him, before spreading their own wings. He always stood by everyone with unsparing understanding and help, and this is his indelible legacy and influence.

To his children, Despina, who continues his work in his office, and Nikolas, who has been writing his own unique career for decades, to his grandchildren, to his countless colleagues and friends, I send my sincere condolences.”