The architecture firm (Athens, 1989) emerged from the many years of collaboration of Theoni Xanthi with Gerasimos Zakynthinos and Thodoris Androulakis. Apart from private projects, a large section of its architectural study and practice has originated from awards in national and international architectural competitions. The perspective of the office combines open large-scale design with the detail of matter, as manifested in architectural materials. In this context, the architectural concept bridges natural, social and cultural environments, and creates spaces for a modern human-centered way of life that promotes synergy and interaction. In 2008, the office was entitled XZA-Architects. XZA-Architects have so far received many and important distinctions, as presented in numerous publications. In total, the office has received 32 awards and distinctions for architectural studies, either in competitions or for build projects. In 2005 the project Starting Area of the Classical Marathon Race won the “Dimitris Pikionis Award for Public Open Space and Landscape Architecture” and in 2007 it was selected as the official Greek participation in the Mies van der Rohe prize. Since 2012, the office has been active also in Cyprus, winning several distinctions in architectural competitions. In 2017, Margarita Zakynthinou-Xanthi joined the firm, when it received the first prize among 129 entries in the International Architectural Competition for the New Cyprus Museum. Theoni Xanthi, the Leader Architect of XZA, is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture, Democritus University of Thrace, on the courses of Architectural Design, from 2001 to this day. She has carried various publications and lectures and has participated in workshops, conferences and juries aiming to promote dialogue regarding architectural education and practice.
