| ECOWEEK |
ECOWEEK was created by Elias, who as a young architecture student was inspired by the late Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy whom he met in Cairo, Egypt in 1989. ECOWEEK programs and workshops around the world involve the academia and the professional world, emphasizing the principles of education, co-operation and sustainable design, and engaging in public participation, placemaking and interventions in the public space. ECOWEEK workshops often take the form of hands-on design-build projects which, in addition to their educational and training value, leave a positive impact on the ground for the local communities. ECOWEEK programs inspire and empower young students and professionals to become catalysts for change.
| E. MESSINAS ARCHIVE |
The Elias V. Messinas Archive for the Synagogues of Greece is based on the Survey and Study of the Greek Synagogues project initiated by Elias in 1993. In view of the destruction of Greek Jewry in the Holocaust – annihilated by nearly 87%; Thessaloniki by 96% - and the need to document and preserve the physical memory of what survived. The archive includes documentation and reconstruction in drawings and scale physical models of nearly 20 synagogues, including some that have since been demolished – e.g. Beth El in Komotini, Beth Shaul in Thessaloniki, and the imposing eclectic synagogue in Xanthi. This archive is the only complete collection on Greek synagogues. What is also unique is that it is a living archive. It is still being updated and enriched with new materials, as Elias, as a professional architect, is responsible for a number of restoration and renovation projects of Greek synagogues today. More in Greek | English
| PUBLIC PARTICIPATION |
Elias is an urban planning consultant and public participation manager for the Ginot Ha'ir Community Council of the City of Jerusalem. Elias is managing public dialogue with citizens on a daily basis, on pro-active and re-active dialogue, transfer of information from the City to the residents and vice versa, supporting citizen's position to City or private plans, and in initiating new forms of public and private dialogue in the city. Public participation involves citizens and residents of the city of all ages, engaged in social inclusion, public advocacy, public participation in decision making, and making the pubic actively present in processes of among others, urban renewal, preservation, new construction, and park, road and public space rehabilitation. Elias also develops sustainability initiatives to raise awareness and build resilience.
| AEGINA ISLAND |
Elias recently completed an MSc on Environment and Development at NTUA in Greece, with a thesis on a comprehensive study and overview of Aegina island and proposed three scenarios for the sustainable development of the island, located in the Saronic Gulf, in close proximity by hydrofoil or boat to the port of Pireaus. Aegina, although in close proximity to Athens, it still maintains its unique character despite rising population, demand for summer-home and tourist facilities construction, which threatens to affect the island of its most unique natural, cultural and historic heritage [press here to download] Elias' involvement on the sustainable development of the island has included:
(a) A household waste recycling program (campaign started in 2004 and program implemented in May 2007).
(b) In proposing an innovative floating solution for the waste collection of Aegina and the other Saronic islands.
(c) Raising public awareness in environmental issues through hundred of articles in Greek in the Saronic Islands free press, and local newspapers.
(d) Establishing initiatives, such as ECOWEEK - Green Week on Aegina in 2005 and 2006, introducing the local community to concepts of energy conservation, waste recycling and organic waste composting, and sustainable design (or 'green' buildings).
| GREENHOUSE |
The GREENHOUSE is the platform established by ECOWEEK for ecology, innovation and entrepreneurship for society and the environment for young professionals – among them, architects, engineers, designers, and landscape architects. A platform for creative work that involves ecology, the environment, ecological building, clean energy, and recycling and reusing waste into the design process. “We really learned that with very few resources we can add value to the city!” The GREENHOUSE takes the form of temporary or permanent design workshop groups that are assigned real projects by real ‘clients’ – municipalities, local councils, local communities, NGOs.
| PARK ATHENS 2004 |
In 2004 Elias with his wife Yvette, the late David Fais of Zur Moshe (Israel), and a small group of dedicated people created park Athens 2004, as a symbolic gift to celebrate Athens hosting the Olympic Games 108 years after they were revived in modern Greece. The park was created thanks to the generous donations of private individuals in Greece, Israel and the US, the Greek State, and the Jewish Communities of Greece. The park is located at Moshav Zur Moshe, a moshav established by Greek immigrants from Thessaloniki in the 1930s. The park covers an area of approx. 40,000 square meters, planted with over 200 trees. The park includes the donors' pillars and flag posts in the entry, the children playground donated by the Fais family, the promenade donated by Sabby Mionis, and the 'Righteous of Athens' park, where Greek officials are honored for their contribution in establishing bridges of peace, understanding, co-existence and tollerance in Greek society. The park Athens 2004 was dedicated in July 2004 by the Ambassador of Greece Panagiotis Zografos, in a ceremony attended by Greek Consule in Haifa Kostas Zinovios and Greek Embassy officials.
For more information on the park click here
| HELIOS |
HELIOS (2005-2013) was established on Aegina island, to promote sustainable development, as a tool for development and economic growth, but along the lines of sustainability for earth's ecological systems and cycles. In 2007 HELIOS was instrumental in diverting plans to establish two concrete factories on the Skotini valley, an area of untouched beauty on the island of Aegina. An area also important for protecting the quality and quantity of underground water in Aegina. Elias as HELIOS President, was interviewed by Thrasy Pertropoulos of Athens News in May 2007, and by Fotini Pipili of SKAI 100.3 radio on May 19, 2007. In 2006 HELIOS participated in the ECOWEEK events in Aegina, co-organizing a lecture by Prof. Dimitris Rokos, of the National Technical University, which took place at the Folklore Museum of Aegina. The lecture presented integrated development for a life worth living, as opposed to uncontrolled development and growth of economies and cities.
