Dr Efcharis Balodimou (Haroula)
Dr Efcharis Balodimou (Haroula) studied Architecture in Thessaloniki, Greece (RIBA Part 2 equivalent).
Following her studies and gaining professional qualifications in Greece, she moved to England where she completed her PhD in the School of Architecture, Oxford Brookes University, in the topic of Weathering of concrete buildings. During this period, she also worked as an Architectural Design Assistant and researcher at OBU, participating in research projects and publications in collaboration with the construction industry – British Steel and the Steel Construction Institute. She was also a member of the Technology group of Oxford Centre for Sustainable Development.
Upon completion of her PhD, she gained extensive Architectural experience over 10 years and qualified as an Architect (RIBA Part 3). She worked in architectural offices specialising in High value residential refurbishment and conversion of listed buildings. Her involvement ranged from initial design stages to construction and hand over.
From 2012 to 2021, Haroula was also Governor in an Ealing Primary School. In addition to her duties in participating in the management of the school, she acted as an architectural consultant during the school’s refurbishment and new built extension (completed June 2016).
Haroula has a strong interest in incorporating sustainable practices in the built environment focusing on issues of re-use, restoration and adaptation of historical buildings and optimising the use of technology, materials and detailing.
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Qualifications
- PGCert - University of West London (Expert Academy)
- Professional Practice RIBA Part 3 - London Metropolitan University (Department of Architecture and Spatial Design)
- PhD in Architecture - Oxford Brookes University (School of Architecture)
- BA Architecture (RIBA Part 2 equivalent) - Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece (School of Architecture)
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Memberships
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)Architects Registration Board (ARB)Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE)
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Research and publications
Doctoral thesis
Balodimou, E (1998). Prediction of Weathering effects on concrete buildings using Computational Methods. Oxford Brookes University.
Contributions to books
Balodimou, E. Rizzuto, J. Shabaan, I. G. (2023) Perceptions and Reuse of Concrete Building Structures.
Dawson, S. Ed. (2003) Cast in Concrete. Leicester: The Architectural Cladding Association. (Contributed p. 29 – 34)
Glass, J. ed. (2002). Encyclopaedia of Architectural Technology. Chichester: Wiley-Academy. (Contributed p. 340 -342)
Balodimou, E (1994) Aghesmos: Culture and recreation in an Urban area. Architecture in Greece.
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Conferences
Balodimou, E., Rizzuto, J. and Shabaan, I. (2024) “Perceptions and Reuse of Concrete Building Structures”, ARCHive-SR, 8(1), pp. 24–32. doi: 10.21625/archive.v8i1.1050.
Balodimou, E. Rizzuto, J. Shabaan, I. G. (2023) Perceptions and Reuse of Concrete Building Structures.
The 8th International Conference on Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development (UPADSD), 24th- 26th October 2023, Florence, Italy.
Rizzuto, J. Balodimou, E. (2022) Implementation of Project-Based Learning in structural design and architectural modules to achieve improved graduate employability. Festival of Learning and Teaching. 19th July 2022, Ealing, London.
Rizzuto, J. Balodimou, E. (2019) Understanding feedback and feedforward: Insights drawn from project-based learning. Festival of Learning and Teaching. 3rd July 2019, Ealing, London.
Balodimou, E.; Ogden R. (1999) Prediction of weathering effects on concrete buildings. In International conference Dhir, R.K.; Paine, K.A. eds. Creating with concrete; Radical design and concrete practices. Dundee, 7th September 1999. London: Thomas Telford.
Balodimou, E. (1997). Prediction of weathering effects on concrete buildings using computational methods. In 4th International Symposium in the Mediterranean Basin, Moropoulou, A.; Zezza; F., Kollias, E.; Papachristodoulou, I. eds. New Concepts, technologies and materials for the conservation and management of historic sites and complexes. Rhodes, 6-11 May 1997. Athens: Technical Chamber of Greece.
