Dimitra Almpani-Lekka
Dimitra Almpani-Lekka is an Architect (Dipl. Arch. Eng.) who graduated from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. For the last few years she has been working in the field of Landscape Architecture with a focus on public space.
She is member of the Berlin-based SciArt Collective MY-CO-X that experiments with the use of mycelium-based composite materials in the architectural context. She explores architectural structures as potential active, integrated parts of the environment’s metabolic processes. She is interested in water transformations through the built environment with the aim of promoting multispecies symbioses. For the above she investigates different species and colonies of the microcosm and the mechanisms that define their unique functions and properties.
Dimitra is currently a PhD candidate at the Architecture department of the University of Ioannina in Greece.
Cluster of Excellence
»Matters of Activity«
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Sophienstr. 22a
10178 Berlin
Articles
Almpani-Lekka, D., Pfeiffer, S., Schmidts, C., Seo, S. 2021. »A review on architecture with fungal biomaterials: the desired and the feasible.« Article number: 17. Fungal Biology and Biotechnology, 8 (1)
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40694-021-00124-5
Conference Proceedings
Zavoleas, Y., Almpani-Lekka, D. 2023. »The building façade as an active skin: Water bio-remediation through a probiotic layer system.« Marousi: Cosmos S.A..
https://doi.org/10.30955/gnc2023.00106
Architectural Projects
Meyer, V., Almpani-Lekka, D., Angulo Meza, A., Cerimi, K., Pohl, C., Schmidt, B., Schmidts, C., Schubert, B., Stelzer, L., Weber, B., Pfeiffer, S. 2021. MY-CO SPACE. Architectural Project. tinyBE, Molecular and Applied Microbiology at TU Berlin. Frankfurt/M, Germany. 26 June 2021 - 26 September 2021.
https://tinybe.org/en/artists/my-co-x/
Contributions to Exhibitions
Zavoleas, Y., Galanos, K., Sionti, E., Katsikis, A., Driva, D., Almpani-Lekka, D., Papagianni, N. »Metabolizing Urban Dynamics: Hybrid Urban Design Approaches beyond Anthropocentric Aims.« At the exhibition: Plásmata II: Ioannina. Ioannina, Greece. 3 July 2023 - 6 July 2023.
https://www.onassis.org/whats-on/plasmata-ii-ioannina-exhibition/the-new-ioannina-discussions-about-art-innovation-and-knowledge/plasmata-ii-ioannina-metabolizing-urban-dynamics-hybrid-urban-design-approaches-beyond-anthropocentric-aims
Talks & Presentations
Almpani-Lekka, D., Miodragović, N., Meyer, V., Pfeiffer, S. Myko.Plektonik - An Exploration of Fungal Growth on Structural Textiles. Talk at the MY-CO PLACE: Architecture of sustainable growth, MY-CO PLACE at BHROX bauhaus reuse, Berlin. Hybrid. 10 July 2023.
https://www.tu.berlin/en/mikrobiologie/news-details/2023-my-co-place-im-bhrox-am-ernst-reuter-platz-12523-3172023
Almpani-Lekka, D., Miodragović, N., Meyer, V., Volpato, A. Interweaving Architectures of the Future with Fungi. Talk at the Driving the Human: Seven Prototypes for Eco-social Renewal. Cluster of Excellence »Matters of Activity«, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. 10 May 2023.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/10912/driving-the-human-seven-prototypes-for-eco-social-renewal
Weber, R., Werner, B. M., Eger Domingos, D., Yang, B., Kim, Y., Almpani-Lekka, D., Bauer, F., Hehemeyer-Cürten, J., Rosenthal, N., Siquera Rodrigues, L., Shams, B., Schneider, M., Rasehorn, F. Indoor Water Bio-Remediation System. Poster presentation at the Scaling Matters: From the Lab to the Field, MoA Retreat at the Landgut Stober. Cluster of Excellence »Matters of Activity«, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. 13 September 2022.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/9125/scaling-matters-from-the-lab-to-the-field
Weber, R., Werner, B. M., Eger Domingos, D., Yang, B., Kim, Y., Almpani-Lekka, D., Bauer, F., Hehemeyer-Cürten, J., Rosenthal, N., Siquera Rodrigues, L., Shams, B., Schneider, M., Rasehorn, F. »Minus Zero. Interspecies Design in Underwater Environments«. Talk at the Scaling Matters: From the Lab to the Field, Landgut Stober. Cluster of Excellence »Matters of Activity«, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. 13 September 2022.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/9125/scaling-matters-from-the-lab-to-the-field
External Grants, Fellowships, Scholarships & Residencies
Almpani-Lekka, D. 2021. Fellowship in »Object Space Agency«, Cluster of Excellence »Matters of Activity«. DFG, Fellowship.