In late 1960s and early 1970s,  I had an opportunity to make several trips to Greece.  Like many previous travelers I was struck by the stark simplicity of the outlines of the ancient buildings, windmills and landscapes.  When time permitted I stopped to sketch a few impressions.

One of these became the original logo for the International Institute for Bau-biologie® & Ecology, Inc. Founded in 1986 in England - this became the first English institute for the discipline of healthy homes.

These sketches can be purchased in the Online Store - Design Inspired.

Sketch 1 - Wooden house - Mykonos.

The architecture of Mykonos Greece is typically Cycladic, the Greek cliche which everyone waits to see. The superb linear Cycladic architecture sees his spare lines represented at their best in the island of Mykonos.  This can be best expressed in the spare outlines of windmills which dot the landscape of the islands.

Sketch 2 - Windmills.

Churches in the Aegean islands have the Cycladic style with large domes and highly decorated interiors.  The churches are everywhere:  in the streets, squares, parks or on top of hills.  They are a strong part of the Greek Everyday life.

Sketch 3 - Hydra1.

The traditional and picturesque white-washed cubic houses with flat roofs, wooden coloured doors and windows and flowered balconies and the multitude of paved narrow streets are particularly charming and magic in this region.

Sketch 4 - Village Ios1.

Throughout the Greek islands, houses, churches, chapels, and all the buildings in general, all have a smooth and asymmetrical shape on their corners, a phenomenon which gives to the whole ensemble, a perfect harmony.

Sketch 5 - Village Ios2.

Each sketch comes printed on high-grade white paper using archival ink.  Each image measures 9"x12", matted (see Sketch 5), ready to hang either individually or as a group.  The standard frame size is 16"x20".  They can also be purchased fully framed.   

Helmut Ziehe was born in Germany in 1937.  He received a Dipl.Ing. degree in Architecture from the Technical University of Berlin, and Master's in Tropical Studies from London School of Architecture.  He founded the International Institute for Bau-biologie® & Ecology, Inc. first in England and later in the United States.  He currently resides in Clearwater, Florida.