10 Picks for Stone & Marble Architecture Projects

The editorial team of ek magazine selected ten architectural projects, featured in past print issues as well as the ek website, that showcase exceptional designs that use stone and marble as primary materials.

One Kleomenous represents an innovative approach to residential architecture. Advanced technologies were employed throughout both the design and construction processes to achieve a result that blends refined aesthetics with practical functionality.

Located on the threshold between the dense urban fabric of Athens and the natural terrain of Lycabettus Hill, the site itself shaped the design approach. The building was envisioned as a bridge between two worlds: the structured, modernist cityscape -with its characteristic forms and materials -and the organic topography of the hill, with its vegetation and earthy textures. The architectural vision sought to create a structure that is both functionally contemporary and contextually integrated. To achieve this, a hybrid design language was adopted- one that embraces innovation while respecting its surroundings.

02. Mr & Mrs Pearl Dental Spa | Pieris Architects

ek Issue: 219 | August 2017

The proposal concerns the creation of aesthetic teeth whitening centers, where clients with limited time can enjoy the services offered during breaks from their obligations and demanding schedules.

The minimal aesthetic of the space and the understated luxury are enhanced through the selection and use of natural materials, such as birch wood, white marble, and granite-textured tiles. This is complemented by the placement of original artworks by renowned artists and the creation of handcrafted lighting fixtures and furniture. The uniqueness of the space’s identity is further emphasized by the detailed design of surfaces and hidden storage areas, which also helps maintain the minimal aesthetic by preventing clutter and disorganized object placement.

03. Milos Cove | Workshop Dionisis Sotovikis, ALD Architects

ek Issue: 242 | November 2019

Milos Cove, a contemporary five-star inception resort, stands in serene seclusion, far from the lively rhythms of Cycladic island life. Nestled in the Agkali area on the northeastern edge of Milos, it rises above a site of great archaeological significance -Europe’s largest known prehistoric obsidian workshop. Its only true boundary is the vastness of the Aegean Sea, which it overlooks from the edge of a dramatic cliff, suspended high above sea level.

Here, below Milos’ volcanic rock formations -rich in texture and hue- the landscape speaks in silence yet resonates with a profound sense of mystery. Milos Cove does not seek to overshadow this grandeur but to embrace it fully, allowing the terrain to flow through its design. The resort unveils itself gradually, in a mythical, almost cinematic progression. A steep, rugged road winds between ancient stones that stand like timeless guardians, guiding visitors to a striking first glimpse of the structure framed from above.

04. Fit Buddy Wellness Center | Tousas Architects

ek Issue: 271 | October 2022

The project centers on the creation of a modern wellness hub arranged over two levels. Its core objective is to seamlessly integrate diverse functions into a unified architectural experience, achieved through a fluid interior layout shaped by the interplay of materials and light.

Visitors enter through a double-height space illuminated by pendant lighting, where a semi-circular polycarbonate surface guides movement inward. In the retail area, elongated counters, linear ceiling fixtures, and full-length wall shelving emphasize horizontal lines, creating a sense of motion and depth. Toward the back, the space opens up once more through a soft curve, accommodating a lounge and kitchen. Natural light filters in through skylights set in the sloped metal roof, while a mirrored column subtly disrupts the visual field -enhancing the perception of spatial continuity.

05. Parthenis Café in Mykonos | Anaktae

The project seeked to transform the label’s flagship store in Mykonos town into a multifunctional space, where customers can shop Parthenis’ instant classics and enjoy a drink, or a light meal inspired by the elemental Cycladic lifestyle. Located next to the island’s famous windmills, the café flows onto a courtyard overlooking Little Venice and its legendary sunsets.

06. Niki Athens Hotel | Studio Bonarchi

ek Issue: 242 | November 2019

This project involves the complete renovation of an existing 23-room hotel located on Nikis Street, in a neighborhood near Plaka that mirrors the many dynamic facets of modern Athens -a city full of contrasts and surprises for the visitor. The core idea was to craft a fresh aesthetic identity for the hotel, inspired by a fusion of diverse elements, styles, and references -echoing the vibrant mosaic of Athens itself. The concept was shaped by the owners’ vision, who, having lived in various European capitals, aimed to translate their cosmopolitan experiences into the new space.

While the spatial layout remained unchanged, all surface finishes, colors, and decorative features were reimagined. In the shared areas, the design evokes the feel of a reinterpreted classic boutique hotel. Glossy dark wood paneling coexists with brass accents, industrial touches, iconic design pieces, and elements of pop culture. The overall aesthetic leans toward a dramatic, “noir” atmosphere, defined by a rich palette of dark materials.

07. Residence in Mani | Etsi Architects

Annual issue: Maison de Campagne 2023

The holiday retreat for an extended, multigenerational family, is located in the remote and rugged lands of the Mani Peninsula. The plot of land is set high on a mountainside offering spectacular views, peering down on the village and the sea below. The task was to create a space for the family to come together whilst also making room for each member to have individual space within the complex. Due to the remote and rather wild location of the house, security was an important issue. A meditation room was also a request -a space where they could practice their Buddhist beliefs. In this framework, the building was envisioned like the many monasteries that can be found throughout Greece.

A walled compound that would have separate structures inside, offering the clients both the individual space and security they were searching for. The inner compound was designed to provide an openness that one probably wouldn’t expect if looking from the outside walls, with each separate area being accessed only via external walkways. The core of the compound is a terraced courtyard flanked by individual buildings and an elongated swimming pool at the lowest level, opening unexpected vistas to the sea and mountain landscape, while maintaining its feel of an intimate enclosure.

08. The Haute | Ayutt and Associates Design

Living amidst the rapid growth of urban population and high rises in Bangkok, a critical question is raised: how can we adjust ourselves to live peacefully and privately in this speedily changed environment and lifestyles? In doing so, how can we avoid losing contact with the amenities that megacity provides us and accessibility to the greenspace?

The project proposes an alternative design solution to mitigate this urban-dwelling problematic issue by crafting the home-office buildings called “THE Haute”, a self-sustainable workplace and residence, to become a new solution concept for the next generation of housing development in Thailand. The building concept is begun with simple idea as stacked boxes, between black stone box and aluminum box. These boxes are composed of two main functions as the working space and living space. The openable windows are designed for not facing each other, for reasons of privacy.

09. Louria Holiday Residence | React Architects

ek Issue: 269 | July – August 2022

The residence is nestled into the hillside, following the topographical contours and adapting seamlessly to the natural morphology of the land. It is situated in the area of Louria, in the southern part of Paros. The plot is oriented to the southwest along its longer side, offering unobstructed views of the sea, the bay of Aliki, and Antiparos.

The entrance is located on the northern edge of the site, where the highest point serves as a gateway into the home. A solid white wall with minimal openings greets the visitor, concealing both the internal arrangement and the front courtyards. The architectural composition is defined by a series of spatial and experiential dualities: concealed versus exposed spaces, sheltered courtyards versus open terraces, interior circulation paths versus threshold journeys, a closed entrance versus an unfolding route, grounded volumes embedded in the landscape versus elevated masses reaching toward the view. Large transverse walls extend from the core of the residence into the hillside, anchoring the building to the terrain. These walls carve out private courtyards at the rear and guide the interior spaces outward into the natural surroundings.

10. Residence in Mani | Desypri & Misiaris Architecture

Annual issue: Maison de Campagne 2022

The project is inspired by a special feature of Mani’s residential forms – the “Ksemonia”, meaning “the ones left alone”; those were stand-alone towers or small residential complexes in the rugged landscape of Mani, operating as shelters or observation points. From afar, these stone-built towers appear as just one more element in the land, like monolithic outbursts from the soil.

The residential compound, consisting of two stone houses, is organized around two towers placed in the plot in a dynamic arrangement which correlates the outdoor spaces and the house entrances, further defining additional outdoor areas. The modern tower-houses are designed to be in close connection with the natural landscape, just as is the case with traditional Mani architecture, which became an integral part of the place it sprung out of. Although the main composition is expressed in the form of the towers, their extensions, which make up the rest of the complex, do not exist independently within the plot, but are rather brought together into a whole, echoing the established architectural forms of the region; in so doing, they also provide a modern interpretation of those same traditional typologies.