![Dimitra Ntzani BSc & MArch equivalent, MSc, PhD](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/5938?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Dimitra Ntzani
(she/her)
BSc & MArch equivalent, MSc, PhD
Senior Lecturer in History and Theory of Architecture
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
I joined the Welsh School of Architecture in January 2019.
I am an architect by training and practice since 2003, a researcher in design problematics of heritage management since 2010, and an educator of architectural history, theory and design since 2013.
I hold a Diploma in Architectural Design and Engineering and an MSc in Architectural Design, Space and Culture, from the National Technical University of Athens. I also have a doctoral degree (PhD) in design aspects of critical engagement with archaeological heritage from the University of Edinburgh. My research is interdisciplinary and brings theories and methods from cognitive studies in architectural design.
I am a member of the Technical Chamber of Greece, the Memory Studies Association, and the Association of Critical Heritage Studies. I have collaborated with various cultural institutions (AOC Archaeology-Group, Northlight-Heritage, Kelvingrove Museum and Arts Gallery, Museum of Asian Arts Corfu) for research purposes. I am currently leading BSc Year1 programme, teach theory and design across various levels of WSA programmes, and supervise doctoral students who investigate heritage design-management phenomena.
Publication
2024
- Ntzani, D. 2024. Drysfeydd y cymoedd: The sub-topographies of South Wales Valleys’ industrial crises.. Architecture and Culture, article number: 2260167. (10.1080/20507828.2023.2260167)
- Ntzani, D. 2024. Commemorating Trauma and Death: Darkness, Dissonance and Deviation in the Design of London’s Holocaust Memorial. Presented at: LIMS international conference Searching for Memory between the Mind and the World, Trento, Italy, 28-30 of August 2024.
2023
- Ntzani, D. 2023. Drysfeydd y Cymoedd (*The Maze of the Valleys): Archiving and commemorating the industrial crisis of the South Wales Valleys.. Presented at: Memory Studies Association 7th Annual Conference: Communities & Change, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, 3-7 July 2023.
- Ntzani, D. and Banteli, A. 2023. Strange encounters: Creativity as a state of alterity in the early stages of design learning. Charrette 9(1), pp. 77-96.
- Ntzani, D. and Banteli, A. 2023. Othering Pedagogies: Integrating performing games and theatrical improvisations in the early stages of design.. Presented at: Architecture 101: Questioning the Fundamentals, Newcastle, 09-11 November 2023Architecture 101: Questioning the Fundamentals. Newcastle: Newcastle University pp. 68-68.
- Ntzani, D. and Banteli, A. 2023. Othering pedagogies: Integrating performing games and theatrical improvisations in the early stages of architectural education.. Presented at: Architectures of Alterity: Body, Media, Space, Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, 7-8 September 2023.
- Ntzani, D. 2023. Drysfa'r Cymoedd*: The sub-topographies of industrial crises of the South Wales Valleys. (*The Maze of the Valleys). Presented at: AHRA Research Student Symposium 2023_ Research in crisis: tactics and methods, Cardiff University, 12-14 April 2023.
2021
- Ntzani, D. 2021. Un-mapping regions of trauma: systematicity and ordinariness in South Wales Valleys’ industrial disasters. Presented at: 18th Annual International Architectural Humanities Research Association Conference, Virtual, 11-13 November 2021 Presented at Richards, S. et al. eds.Proceedings of the 18th Annual International Architectural Humanities Research Association Conference, Vol. 18. Loughborough: Loughborough University
- Ntzani, D., Magill, S. and Chatzivasileiadi, A. 2021. Creative together: Fostering and displaying creativity in digital education. [Online]. Cardiff: Cardiff University Centre for Education Support and Innovation. Available at: https://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/CESI/creative-together-fostering-and-displaying-creativity-in-digital-education/
- Ntzani, D. 2021. Learning and Teaching Conference 2021- The material grounds of digital learning. [Online]. Cardiff: Cardiff University Centre for Education Support and Innovation. Available at: https://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/CESI/learning-and-teaching-conference-2021-the-material-grounds-of-digital-learning/
- Ntzani, D. 2021. Troublesome pedagogies: introducing 'otherness' to 1st year design studio. Presented at: TFYD: Initiations: Practices of Teaching 1st Year Design in Architecture, Nicosia, Cyprus, 23-25 Oct 2019 Presented at Chatzichristou, C., Icavovou, P. and Koutsoumpos, L. eds.Initiations: practices of teaching 1st year design in architecture. Conference proceedings of the TFYD 2019. pp. 195-204.
2016
- Ntzani, D. 2016. From theatrical silence to labyrinthine; In search of critical engagement with cultural heritage.. Presented at: The Place of Silence: Experience, Environment and Affect, Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of Edinburgh, 22-24 June 2016.
- Ntzani, D. 2016. From theatre to labyrinth: in pursuit of critical engagement with archaeological heritage. PhD Thesis, University of Edinburgh.
- Ntzani, D. 2016. The engaging advantages of an ephemeral heritage. Presented at: 18th ICOMOS General Assembly Symposium, Heritage and Landscape as Human Values, Firenze, Italy, 9-14 November 2014 Presented at Di Stefano, M. ed.Proceedings of ICOMOS International Symposium: Heritage and Landscape as Human Values. pp. 279.
2015
- Ntzani, D. 2015. Under the spell of metaphors: Investigating the effects of conduit and container metaphors on museum experience. Curator: The Museum Journal 58(1), pp. 59-76. (10.1111/cura.12098)
- Ntzani, D. 2015. Enchanting spaces of time-past: Investigating the effects of reading metaphors on public engagement with archaeological remains [Abstract]. Presented at: 6th International Conference on Spatial Cognition: Space and Situated Cognition, Rome, Italy, 7-11 September 2015 Presented at Hunefeldt, T. and Olivetti Belardinelli, M. eds.Space and Situated Cognition: Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Spatial Cognition (ICSC 2015). Springer pp. S33., (10.1007/s10339-015-0732-7)
2014
- Ntzani, D. and Barber, J. 2014. The ephemeral inscriptions of Caithness. Presented at: Reading and Exhibiting Nature International Conference,, London, 7-9 Feb 2014.
2013
- Ntzani, D. and Barber, J. 2013. Reading the ephemera of Caithness. MAS Context 19(3), pp. 22-33.
2007
- Ntzani, D. and Karteri, R. 2007. Shipyard and workshop of traditional ship-building in Ambelakia Salamina: M.Arch thesis. In: Photiou, T., Demire, K. and Moungolia, A. eds. Diploma Projects 02+03: Building Technology, Urban and Regional Planning, Architectural Design, Interior Design and Landscaping. Athens: Panepistimiakes Ekdoseis EMP
Articles
- Ntzani, D. 2024. Drysfeydd y cymoedd: The sub-topographies of South Wales Valleys’ industrial crises.. Architecture and Culture, article number: 2260167. (10.1080/20507828.2023.2260167)
- Ntzani, D. and Banteli, A. 2023. Strange encounters: Creativity as a state of alterity in the early stages of design learning. Charrette 9(1), pp. 77-96.
- Ntzani, D. 2015. Under the spell of metaphors: Investigating the effects of conduit and container metaphors on museum experience. Curator: The Museum Journal 58(1), pp. 59-76. (10.1111/cura.12098)
- Ntzani, D. and Barber, J. 2013. Reading the ephemera of Caithness. MAS Context 19(3), pp. 22-33.
Book sections
- Ntzani, D. and Karteri, R. 2007. Shipyard and workshop of traditional ship-building in Ambelakia Salamina: M.Arch thesis. In: Photiou, T., Demire, K. and Moungolia, A. eds. Diploma Projects 02+03: Building Technology, Urban and Regional Planning, Architectural Design, Interior Design and Landscaping. Athens: Panepistimiakes Ekdoseis EMP
Conferences
- Ntzani, D. 2024. Commemorating Trauma and Death: Darkness, Dissonance and Deviation in the Design of London’s Holocaust Memorial. Presented at: LIMS international conference Searching for Memory between the Mind and the World, Trento, Italy, 28-30 of August 2024.
- Ntzani, D. 2023. Drysfeydd y Cymoedd (*The Maze of the Valleys): Archiving and commemorating the industrial crisis of the South Wales Valleys.. Presented at: Memory Studies Association 7th Annual Conference: Communities & Change, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, 3-7 July 2023.
- Ntzani, D. and Banteli, A. 2023. Othering Pedagogies: Integrating performing games and theatrical improvisations in the early stages of design.. Presented at: Architecture 101: Questioning the Fundamentals, Newcastle, 09-11 November 2023Architecture 101: Questioning the Fundamentals. Newcastle: Newcastle University pp. 68-68.
- Ntzani, D. and Banteli, A. 2023. Othering pedagogies: Integrating performing games and theatrical improvisations in the early stages of architectural education.. Presented at: Architectures of Alterity: Body, Media, Space, Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, 7-8 September 2023.
- Ntzani, D. 2023. Drysfa'r Cymoedd*: The sub-topographies of industrial crises of the South Wales Valleys. (*The Maze of the Valleys). Presented at: AHRA Research Student Symposium 2023_ Research in crisis: tactics and methods, Cardiff University, 12-14 April 2023.
- Ntzani, D. 2021. Un-mapping regions of trauma: systematicity and ordinariness in South Wales Valleys’ industrial disasters. Presented at: 18th Annual International Architectural Humanities Research Association Conference, Virtual, 11-13 November 2021 Presented at Richards, S. et al. eds.Proceedings of the 18th Annual International Architectural Humanities Research Association Conference, Vol. 18. Loughborough: Loughborough University
- Ntzani, D. 2021. Troublesome pedagogies: introducing 'otherness' to 1st year design studio. Presented at: TFYD: Initiations: Practices of Teaching 1st Year Design in Architecture, Nicosia, Cyprus, 23-25 Oct 2019 Presented at Chatzichristou, C., Icavovou, P. and Koutsoumpos, L. eds.Initiations: practices of teaching 1st year design in architecture. Conference proceedings of the TFYD 2019. pp. 195-204.
- Ntzani, D. 2016. From theatrical silence to labyrinthine; In search of critical engagement with cultural heritage.. Presented at: The Place of Silence: Experience, Environment and Affect, Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of Edinburgh, 22-24 June 2016.
- Ntzani, D. 2016. The engaging advantages of an ephemeral heritage. Presented at: 18th ICOMOS General Assembly Symposium, Heritage and Landscape as Human Values, Firenze, Italy, 9-14 November 2014 Presented at Di Stefano, M. ed.Proceedings of ICOMOS International Symposium: Heritage and Landscape as Human Values. pp. 279.
- Ntzani, D. 2015. Enchanting spaces of time-past: Investigating the effects of reading metaphors on public engagement with archaeological remains [Abstract]. Presented at: 6th International Conference on Spatial Cognition: Space and Situated Cognition, Rome, Italy, 7-11 September 2015 Presented at Hunefeldt, T. and Olivetti Belardinelli, M. eds.Space and Situated Cognition: Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Spatial Cognition (ICSC 2015). Springer pp. S33., (10.1007/s10339-015-0732-7)
- Ntzani, D. and Barber, J. 2014. The ephemeral inscriptions of Caithness. Presented at: Reading and Exhibiting Nature International Conference,, London, 7-9 Feb 2014.
Thesis
- Ntzani, D. 2016. From theatre to labyrinth: in pursuit of critical engagement with archaeological heritage. PhD Thesis, University of Edinburgh.
Websites
- Ntzani, D., Magill, S. and Chatzivasileiadi, A. 2021. Creative together: Fostering and displaying creativity in digital education. [Online]. Cardiff: Cardiff University Centre for Education Support and Innovation. Available at: https://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/CESI/creative-together-fostering-and-displaying-creativity-in-digital-education/
- Ntzani, D. 2021. Learning and Teaching Conference 2021- The material grounds of digital learning. [Online]. Cardiff: Cardiff University Centre for Education Support and Innovation. Available at: https://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/CESI/learning-and-teaching-conference-2021-the-material-grounds-of-digital-learning/
Research
My research is interdisciplinary and brings theories and methods from the field of cognitive linguistics and distributed cognition into design studies and in particular in the design management of cultural heritage. Over the past 12 years, I collaborated with various cultural institutions in Greece and Scotland, for the design/study of public exhibitions and engagement programmes (AOC Group, Northlight Heritage, Museum of Asian Arts Corfu, etc). Parts of my doctoral research were funded by Edinburgh College of Arts and the Scottish Graduate School of Arts and Humanities.
More broadly, my research focuses on spatial metaphors as cognitive scaffoldings and their ability to shape architectural design, and support empathetic engagement in various educational environments (HE & heritage institutions). I am currently looking into metaphors that shape the design of contested, difficult or dark heritages, and at their impact on visitors' experience.
I am also member of the academic committee of a newly established GW4-funded research community that gathers and grounds academic knowlegde on architectures of alterity. Architectures of Alterity_GW4 Research Community
Last but no least, I am interested in Inclusive Design pedagogies, or in design-learning strategies that support and create more inclusive mindsets in architectural education. Current research focuses on performing arts and their impact on design-learning, as means for achieving an empathetic understanding of design users with physical and/ or learning disabilities. Empathetic Design Learning
I am currently supervising PGR students who are interested in contested and nomadic heritages, but also in the bottom-up design management of cultural assets and their possible effects on community empowerment and well-being.
I am also a an external reviewer for Charrette, the Journal of AAE.
Recently Completed & Currently Running Projects
Teaching
Dimitra is currently the Deputy to March 2 Chair and leader of Research Preparation and Dissertation MArch1/2 modules. She acted as BSc1 Chair and leader of Year 1 Architectural Design module from 2019-2022 and was awarded the Outstanding Contribution Award for her services in Year 1 development during the Covid-affected years. She also supervises MARCH, PG dissertations and doctoral research on relevant to her research subject areas.
She succesfully co-led the Vertical Studio programm in 2019-21 and academically supported the public exhibition of its design outputs in SHIFT_Cardiff, a multidisciplinary research & development arts space.
For more info, please visit the link below: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/architecture/courses/undergraduate/undergraduate-portfolio/bsc-architectural-studies-portfolio/vertical-studio
Supervisions
Architecture, Design & Cognition, Heritage Design, Contested Heritages, Nomadic Heritages
Current supervision
Contact Details
+44 29225 10193
Bute Building, Room Room 3.09, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3NB