The main constructional characteristics of contemporary urban residential buildings in Greece

Building materials and building construction techniques are dependent upon a group of factors which are clearly geographical in character (climate, availability of raw materials, traditions, etc.). It is natural, therefore, that they should differ from country to country and from one area to another. These differences are reflected both in the external appearance of buildings and in their environmental behaviour. This study examines the particular characteristics of the methods used to construct urban residential buildings in Greece, where the factors which determine these characteristics are clearly discernible, and also pinpoints the main areas in which these peculiarities are revealed in the appearance and environmental behaviour of these buildings. It concludes by pinpointing the areas in which the techniques applied are unsuitable and by underlining the importance of developing more rational approaches and practices in these areas.