Boulouki – Travelling Workshop on Traditional Building
Boulouki is a versatile collective of architects, engineers and heritage professionals dedicated to revitalising traditional craftsmanship for contemporary construction needs. Their vision is to promote a renewed building culture in Greece and worldwide, drawing from traditional knowledge and techniques.
Since its establishment in 2018 as a non-profit organisation, Boulouki operates on four pillars: education, research, practice and public dialogue. It is the only organisation in Greece that develops and implements professional apprenticeships, combining restoration projects with vocational training. They employ an itinerant approach, travelling around Greece, to conduct workshops that draw from, and respond to, the specific characteristics of every place.
Boulouki is currently developing the first centre for research and training on heritage building skills in the mountainous area of Epirus, at a former school building granted by the local public authorities.
Boulouki’s educational approach encompasses three primary formats: hands-on workshops tailored for students and practitioners in heritage-related fields, professional apprenticeships aimed at nurturing a new generation of craftspeople, and community participation initiatives. With a focus on interdisciplinarity, these programs unite masons, academics, students, professionals, and enthusiasts of all ages, fostering collaboration under the guidance of experienced craftspeople. Taking a holistic approach, Boulouki’s projects include guided walks, outdoor discussions, lectures, and seminars, as well as cultural mappings and celebrations that actively engage local communities and encourage intergenerational dialogue.
‘Under the Landscape’ is an exemplary project that began in 2021 and includes all the educational formats that Boulouki has developed so far. It concerns the participatory restoration of a cobblestone pathway and two underground rainwater cisterns which are part of the vernacular architecture and cultural landscape of the famous Santorini Archipelago. The project explores how small island communities may function as cores of social empowerment and creativity, through the participatory and collective care of their heritage.
The project has provided the local community and the regional government with tangible proof of how cultural heritage is a valuable asset. It addressed challenges around conservation, heritage and building practices in the Greek context, namely the limited use of local building materials and techniques, the possibilities to re-introduce them; and the over-development and building sprawl of many Greek islands.
“Boulouki’s activities show a remarkable commitment to preserving the Cyclades’ unique landscape, that is under increasing pressure from tourism development and was recently listed as one of the 7 Most Endangered sites of 2024. Its exemplary approach encompasses research, documentation, community engagement, and training, and has a strong commitment to sustainability through the reuse of heritage. The collective has succeeded in training in drystone walling, a technique inscribed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”, the Awards’ Jury commented.
“Boulouki’s activities have strong social, environmental and economic values. They promote social integration by bringing people of different ages and origins together, they champion the use of local materials and they support the preservation of the built and natural landscape. Boulouki sets a strong example for further restoration projects, highlighting the transformative power of heritage in promoting sustainable development”, the Jury added.
Contact: Panos Kostoulas, Boulouki – Itinerant Workshop on Traditional Building Techniques | info@boulouki.org | www.boulouki.org