Towards a Place of Happiness: Wallpaper*'s Ellie Stathaki on Finding Balance, Making Life Better, and Venturing Past One's Comfort Zone
By Julia Gamolina
Ellie Stathaki is Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She studied architecture at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, and architectural history at the Bartlett in London. At Wallpaper* since 2006, she visits buildings across the globe and has interviewed architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas.
Ellie also takes part in judging panels, moderates events, curates shows, and contributes to books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
JG: You studied architecture and spent time in professional practice before evolving your focus to architecture journalism. Now, you have an overarching role at Wallpaper*! Given all that you've seen in practice and in media, what are you most focused on in highlighting for 2024?
From my—although limited—first-hand experience in practice and also working and speaking with architects daily in my role at Wallpaper*, my focus for 2024 is finding the right balance between being responsible and having some fun. And it’s worth saying that this is probably the same in both professional and personal life! Now more than ever, it is important to be aware of key issues in the profession, foster debate, and try to define what good architecture is to secure a happy future for all. Hopefully, I can bring to the fore topics that resonate with our readership and put a spotlight on projects that interest and inspire people. At the same time, I think it’s extremely important to remember that we are all human beings who equally need lightness and fun in life. We can’t ignore that—a little escape and dreaming are needed now and then. This is not an easy balance to achieve, and on top of that, it can be a shifting one.
Ellie at Casa da Musica by OMA. Courtesy of Ellie Stathaki.
What are the most important themes for us as readers to be paying attention to?
No prizes for guessing that sustainability in all its shapes and forms is at the top of my list. As a journalist, I look at the present but also the future of the profession. I try to spot trends, innovation, and what’s “the next big thing”— be it people, places, or processes. The challenges that are ongoing, and are predicted to emerge further, within the environmental and social spheres are significant. Realism is needed to address what needs addressing, but also a sprinkling of optimism. Additionally, in my view, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for anything. We should be nimble and be looking at an entire toolbox.
Now let's backtrack a little—why architecture and why the pivot to architectural history?
I don’t come from a family of architects. When I was at school, I enjoyed equally art, math, and science. So I figured with architecture, I could have both. I had a blast during my studies and learned so much. I have also always enjoyed reading—although never thought I’d have a career in writing—and that’s where history comes into play. Once I finished my architecture training and qualified in Greece, I wanted to explore more, so I came to London for a master’s degree. Architecture history just felt right—and I started drifting away from design practice at that point.
“There isn’t a single person who doesn’t get touched by architecture, and talking about it, improving it—both the buildings, the outcome, and the sector, the way things are done—hopefully helps make life better for the next generations.”
Tell me now about your career as a writer—how did this evolve and how did you get to Wallpaper*?
After my studies, I just followed my instinct. I tried different types of writing, such as academic, but I realized that a PhD, for instance, was not for me. Looking for a job, I landed on journalism. My master’s course was brilliant and had a module about the range of sectors that you could apply an architecture history degree to — among the options discussed were archives, libraries, curation, research, but also broadcast and written journalism. It had never crossed my mind that I could be an architecture journalist until that moment. I wasn’t taught writing in architecture school, and growing up in Greece, a relatively small country with a correspondingly small architecture scene, architecture journalism was not something I had picked up on.
But that course inspired me to try it, and journalism was a career that seemed to tick a lot of boxes for me. It’s a job I enjoy so much to this day—it involves a lot of daily variety and writing, reading, traveling, learning, and meeting people, all of which I love. I was lucky to have a family who were not only supportive but were also able to support me as I did an internship, which led to some contract work at Blueprint magazine. I heard Wallpaper* was looking for an editorial assistant for its architecture department while there, and I applied, and that’s how I ended up where I am. I must say that I owe thanks to the people who helped me back then—by guiding me, recommending me, and helping me grow as I was getting started. Everyone at Blueprint at the time and everyone at Wallpaper* who trusted me, offered me a job, and supported me as I was finding my feet—their help was so important to me.
Recent Wallpaper* covers, courtesy of Wallpaper*
You've been with Wallpaper* now for almost twenty years—obviously through this time, the magazine, the field of architecture and design, and you yourself have all evolved. Talk to me about your personal and professional evolution through this.
Honestly, time flies. I never set out with any preconceptions about how long I’d stay with Wallpaper*. As you say, it is a magazine that has changed a lot over its nearly thirty years of existence, evolving and growing with the times. At the same time, we hope and aim to deliver the same high quality to our readers throughout this journey, so there’s always a challenge to rise to and opportunities to grow, learn, and change, all of which are things I enjoy thoroughly.
At Wallpaper*, I went from architecture assistant to deputy architecture editor, to being the architecture editor for some eleven years. I was made Architecture & Environment Director in the past couple of months—a huge thanks to my current colleagues and managers here, too—which is a role I am excited about—touching on building design but also the wider environment, not only in terms of sustainability but also the world, movement, cities, landscapes and more, always through the Wallpaper* lens. I never get bored at my job; it has a dynamism I enjoy. You’ve got to love the journey. I am also lucky to be part of a great team, and all the people I have worked with over the years. I have— and have had—some amazing colleagues, collaborators, and mentors in the magazine. This must be acknowledged.
Looking back at it all, what have been the biggest challenges? How did you both manage through perceived disappointments or setbacks?
I suppose the first challenge was learning the ins and outs of being a journalist to start with. It was not my formal training and English is not my mother tongue, so there was a learning curve there when I started getting more into writing and magazine work as a whole. But I can be persistent when I set my mind to something. And of course, I am still learning.
On a different point, as any editor can attest, it’s a role where you must juggle lots of balls and wear different hats, and finding the right balance for oneself without getting overwhelmed is another challenge. For me, the answer came with experience—my style is slow and steady. Then there were external challenges due to world events—financial turbulences, the recent pandemic. I try not to stress and to take things as they come. It’s easier said than done! I definitely stress and can’t say I have mastered the right response to the ups and downs of life. There are always disappointments, big or small, and my reaction is usually action. I just try to carve a plan ahead and it makes me feel better—but we each have our own way of coping with disappointment or worry, and I don’t think there is a right or wrong one. Exercise also helps, in fact.
“For me, the answers came with experience, my style is slow and steady . . . There are always disappointments, big or small, and my reaction is usually action. I just try to carve a plan ahead and it makes me feel better.”
What have you also learned in the last six months?
In a wider sense, I have learned that sometimes you have to ask for what you want. In terms of specific knowledge, I learn almost daily at my job, as I research to write about different subjects. Once in a while, I interview someone who offers an entirely new perspective that throws me completely outside my comfort zone or my own way of thinking, and it’s an opportunity I cherish.
Who are you admiring now and why?
I was recently at the RIBA Gold Medal ceremony, which honoured the recipient for 2024, Lesley Lokko. Her curation at the Venice Biennale and her voice inspire me, how she created a platform for an entire discussion that was never that central in the architecture world; but then she also writes novels, which are not at all what you might expect, by her own admission. I love how she demonstrates that we are all very multidimensional beings. And every time I speak to her, she is eloquent of course, but also feels grounded and kind. I value those qualities.
What is the impact you’d like to have on the world? What is your core mission? And what does success in that look like to you?
I am not sure I have a core mission as such, at least not a conscious one. In a small, everyday way, I like to do my bit to move the dial toward a place of happiness for more people than just me. I enjoy it, and I think it is important talking about happiness in a profession that is so important in everyone’s life. There isn’t a single person who doesn’t get touched by architecture, and talking about it, improving it—both the buildings, the outcome, and the sector, the way things are done—hopefully helps make life better for the next generations. But I think ultimately, on all scales, it’s back to finding balance. Mix the calm with the change, navigate intensity with moments for recharging, and remember to slow down at times and find enjoyment in life.
Finally, what advice do you have for those starting their career? Would your advice be any different for women?
I’d probably say something about keeping an open mind, staying curious, trusting your gut and yourself, and soak up as much knowledge and experiences as you can. And do that while looking after yourself. Inspired by something Lesley [Lokko] said to me a couple of weeks ago during an interview: everyone—and women especially—need to know that it’s ok, and indeed, perhaps necessary, to sometimes say “no.”