Element Office Buildings in Maroussi

Urban presence

The new, modern office building, with its clean lines and strong urban presence, exudes a distinct identity. Designed in an L-shape, it opens onto a square, offering a captivating view of a neighboring olive grove, while the structure itself, with its dynamic architectural projections, sharp angles, and soft curves, appears to float. It stands as a model of sustainable development, having the highest (A+) energy rating and obtaining a LEED Platinum certification in the Core and Shell category.

Design Directions

The project spans 13,857m², with 6,682m² dedicated to the upper structure, comprising seven floors in total: two basement levels, a ground floor with a shop, lobby, and office space, and four office floors, two of which offer direct access to green roofs. The site posed a unique challenge due to its triangular shape and the presence of an independent three-story building at its center, having a resulting Π-shaped area as the final layout of the plot. This configuration allowed for the creation of a garden and a generous semi-circular diagonal opening that enhances circulation and highlights the entrance. Special attention is given to integrating greenery, with the garden serving as a space for relaxation and recreation, and the planted terrace acting as a “fifth facade.” The new L-shaped building wraps around the existing three-story structure on both sides, forming a lush garden square.

Architectural Composition

The two interior sides of the building are curved to “soften” its appearance, especially close to the independent three-story building that intervenes in the design. Horizontal architectural cantilevers are added on every floor, allowing for both shading and the placement of vertical louvers. A slightly curved geometry, with variations and alternations from floor to floor, emphasizes the corners to enhance the sense of movement and highlight the dynamic nature of the composition. With a focus on horizontal lines, the subtle curvature of the facades creates a continuous interplay of shadows.

Façade Design

The facade facing Fragokklisia Street is accentuated by alternating cantilevers, suggesting the building’s openness to the city through dramatic shadows and the deliberate utilization of its architectural form. The sense of “movement” is heightened by reflective surfaces, using a special reflective aluminum that visually “doubles” the height of the semi-open space. A dynamic light interplay is created by water features and the movement of people, while at the entrance and in the floor lobbies, boundaries become fluid and blurred. The facades are made of exposed white concrete and continuous glazing, featuring both mobile and fixed sections, along with high-performance energy-efficient, sound-reducing glass.

The south-east and south-west facades feature electrically operating vertical rotating blinds of varying widths, made from anodized perforated aluminum sheets. These blinds are automatically adjusted via the building’s BMS (Building Management System) to enhance visual comfort for occupants and reduce internal cooling loads. Differentiated by floor, the blinds highlight the sense of movement and add to the dynamic appearance of the facades. On the ground floor and part of the first floor, an “air base” is created—a secondary layer of anodized perforated aluminum positioned away from the glazing, offering both views and a sense of privacy for the interior spaces.

Sustainability Strategies

All workspaces benefit from natural light and ventilation. Planted windows on the 1st and 4th floors provide opportunities for spontaneous breaks and interaction among employees. The air conditioning system uses a VRV Heat Recovery system, enabling simultaneous heating and cooling. To meet ventilation and air quality standards, separate A+ class water-based air conditioning units have been installed for each floor section.

To promote the efficient use of water as well as its conservation, rainwater is collected in a tank to meet the irrigation needs of planted areas, supplemented by groundwater. A portion of the building’s electricity consumption is offset by a self-generation system, by installing photovoltaic panels on the roof that have a total capacity of 42KW.