Iraklis Balaskas graduated from the Department of Architecture (University of Thessaly, 2020) and holds a Master's degree in Reuse of Buildings and Complexes(University of Thessaly, 2022). Since 2021, he has worked as an architectural engineer, collaborating on a variety of large- and small-scale projects with architectural firms in Athens and Volos, while also participating in architectural competitions. His interests focus on new visualization technologies in architecture, employing innovative tools for the design and presentation of contemporary and historic buildings. He isa PhD candidate at the Department of Architecture of the University of Thessaly since November 2024.

His doctoral research lies within the interdisciplinary field of architectural technology, emphasizing the use of the innovative capabilities of Virtual and Augmented Reality (XR) for the analysis and study of building reuse. The process of reusing buildings is a complex issue involving various fields, including architecture, technology, cultural management, and sustainability. In this context, XR technology allows designers, researchers, and stakeholders to "explore" buildings virtually before any interventions are implemented. Key research objectives include the application of XR technology for building restoration and reuse through digital model integration, the development of original interactive applications that enable structural, morphological, and material analysis of buildings, and the assessment of XR's contribution to decision-making processes. Through comparative analysis with traditional restoration methods, the research aims to demonstrate how XR applications enhance accuracy and efficiency, saving resources and reducing the time required for project implementation.

ibalaskas.archgmail.com