Ioannis Oikonomou is a visionary architect and urbanist whose designs impact the thinking of what is possible around the world. He founded and directs the award-winning oiio architectural studio, with offices in both New York, U.S.A. and Athens, Greece. Oikonomou also co-founded and serves as a board member of the non-profit organization Greek Institute of Architects in New York (GIANY), which organizes lectures, social events, panel discussions, exhibitions, and symposia in an endeavor to empower Greek architects’ visions and strengthen their voices in New York. In addition to his immeasurable contributions through oiio and GIANY, Oikonomou educates enthusiastic college students from 138 countries through his work as an adjunct assistant professor at New York City College of Technology (City Tech).
Oikonomou has led his team at oiio to received numerous international design competition awards, including the 2018 Lotos Foundation Prize for architecture. Additionally, his work has been displayed in various architectural exhibitions, including “The Unfinished Grid: Design speculations in Manhattan“ at the Museum of the City of New York. In 2014, Oikonomou’s work was presented at the United States Pavilion of the Venice Biennale for the 14th International Architecture Exhibition, addressing the theme “Absorbing Modernity: 1914-2014.”
Through GIANY, Oikonomou unites Greek immigrant workers, architects, and designers like himself to join forces as they seek to navigate the complexities of designing and building in New York. He connects members to resources pertaining to immigrant rights and supports diverse collaborations as one way to celebrate Greek culture in New York architecture.
In his role as a university professor, Oikonomou endeavors to encourage cultural self-awareness in his students, assisting them in deepening their individual senses of identity. Oikonomou shares designs with his students and the public which trigger debate and prompt consideration of how cities develop. For instance, his and his oiio team’s inspired design for “The Big Bend” challenges Manhattan’s zoning laws and height limitations, provoking questions about how prestige is formed in connection with specific building dimensions and stylistic conventions.
Oikonomou’s most recent installation, “Non Fiction,” was included in a summer 2021 exhibition of the National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens (EMST) in Athens, Greece. The exhibition, called “SYMBOLS & iconic ruins,” investigated the ways we regard cultural symbols, something Oikonomou does continuously in his work with oiio, GIANY, and City Tech. THANK YOU, Ioannis, for your commitment to prompting and encouraging curiosity and innovation internationally, in budding and established designers and architects alike. We are delighted to present you with the Antonios Kounalakis Award!