Saint Of Athens

The creative studio Saint of Athens, based in Athens, was founded in 2007 by Nikos Palaiologos. With typography, branding, and communication as its main fields, the studio often expands -through collaborations with architects- into the creation of complete interior spaces, where its methodology shifts into three dimensions, covering different scales. Every project it undertakes begins with an original idea, which determines a different technical approach depending on the case. In this spirit, each design is treated as a living organism, with its own characteristics and distinct purpose.

S.M.: What is the range of services you offer as a studio when it comes to creating a space?

Nikos Palaiologos: The sense of familiarity that develops in a space is what our team seeks. From the creative concept to the custom detail, everything follows a unified functional line. Decorative and construction proposals always place the brand and the experience it offers the consumer at the center. All this is combined with conceptual logos and their development within the company’s overall identity.

S.M.: How did you move into interior design? What preceded your first steps in designing commercial spaces?

N.P.: Everything starts with the core idea, the concept. The holistic corporate identity we had designed for a high-profile patisserie also required a corresponding environment. So that project became our official starting point in creating a space designed to host pastry creations, while embodying the urban atmosphere of a boutique that could be found in any cosmopolitan capital.

S.M.: What methodological tools from your experience in typography do you carry over into spatial design, and how? Where does the boundary lie between visual and three-dimensional design?

N.P.: The architecture of information and the overall visual vocabulary of a brand also define the total image. Environmental branding and art are the holy grail for our team. Essentially, we are the ones who set the boundary. One art form must “invade” the other. This must always happen organically, without noise and, above all, with respect for the brand and the space. Too many voices neutralize the power of a strong statement. And we love the reason for existence.

Read the full interview in ek issue 284 | January – February 2024.