Shared core

The redesign of the Wealth Management department offices of a dynamic securities company in Athens presented an opportunity to upgrade employees’ everyday experience by improving the qualitative and functional aspects of their working environment. The offices occupy the ground floor of a six-story building dating back to the 1990s, where the existing condition served as the basis for a contemporary reinterpretation of the space.

 

Design Philosophy

A primary objective of the study was to provide sufficient workstations for a continuously expanding team, while also addressing needs for comfort, sound insulation, collaboration, and flexibility. The main challenge lay in accommodating a large number of users within a limited floor area, further complicated by the team’s hybrid working model.

The spatial organization is structured around an elongated, communal “core,” which functions as the main axis of circulation and activity. This core incorporates workstations, a lounge area, storage units, and auxiliary functions, while the more private workspaces are arranged around it. These include offices of varying capacity, an executive office, a meeting room, and supporting spaces such as a kitchenette and WC.

 

 

Material Palette

The dissolution of rigid boundaries is achieved through the use of glass partitions, enhancing visual continuity and reinforcing the perception of the space as a unified environment. At the same time, the “stripping back” of the building envelope – through the removal of suspended ceilings and the exposure of the structural and mechanical systems – introduces an aesthetic of honesty and industrial clarity.

In contrast to the exposed structural elements such as concrete, metal, and visible installations, the material palette is enriched with warm and tactile qualities: woven vinyl flooring in sandy tones, natural walnut veneer surfaces, upholstery fabrics with subtle color accents, and integrated greenery. The result is a balanced composition between technical austerity and spatial warmth.

 

 

Lighting & Acoustic Design

Lighting design played a crucial role, given the uneven distribution of natural light within the ground-floor space. Through a combination of direct and indirect artificial lighting, adjustable shading systems, and specialized window films, a balanced luminous environment is achieved while minimizing glare.

At the same time, acoustic comfort is ensured through the use of sound-absorbing materials, such as perforated surfaces, fabric shades, and specialized flooring, contributing to a calm and productive working atmosphere. Guided by the principles of clarity, transparency, and honesty, the project shapes a multifaceted and flexible workspace that encourages interaction, supports concentration, and enhances the overall daily experience of its users.

 

Reflection upon deep waters

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.

 

Landscape Integration

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.

 

 

Design Philosophy

Humbled by the majesty of its surroundings, the architecture seems to fold inward, as if shielding itself from the natural elements. Its design evokes the organic complexity of a Cycladic village: narrow alleys, external staircases, stone retaining walls. Openings of varying sizes offer shifting vistas. Pergolas provide shade; greenery softens the space, offering coolness and beauty. These distinctly Greek architectural features are interlaced into a balanced composition that responds to the bright, unyielding sun of the Aegean.

 

 

Material Palette

The color palette is earthy, echoing the tones of the natural environment. The materials -stone, marble, wood, water, dark glass, light, and shadow- speak the archetypal language of the island. They form a symbolic dialogue between the built and the natural world. Reflective surfaces -whether pools of water or expansive glass facades- create liminal spaces where light plays and boundaries dissolve, allowing the landscape and architecture to intermingle, blurring the line between the real and the imagined. In this one-of-a-kind setting, guests enjoy the comforts of a modern luxury resort while also being invited on an inward journey -a space to reflect, to be still, and to discover their own echoes in the deep waters below.

 

Modern locality

The Digital Innovation Center of Pfizer in Thessaloniki is the first of its kind globally. The concept is built around the idea of localism, using the city’s unique culture, distinctive features, dominant colors, and materials as inspiration. These elements are seamlessly integrated into a modern, interactive workspace that reflects the essence of Thessaloniki.

 

Design Philosophy

The 7,000m² campus, focused on developing innovative digital solutions, is organized into workstations, breakout areas, and collaboration zones. It also features a cafeteria, wellness center, and fitness rooms for all employees. The layout is designed to promote close proximity, fostering interaction and strengthening social connections. Around the perimeter of the main building, “working neighborhoods” have been established, with shared spaces strategically placed next to the offices to encourage teamwork.

 

 

Spatial Layout

The heart of the campus is the “Agora,” a large, flexible workspace featuring rooms of various sizes and shapes. These spaces are separated by sliding writing surfaces, eco-friendly cork boards, and acoustic felt panels. Designed with the principles of flexible architecture, the layout allows for quick modification and adaptation to the needs of different groups. Connecting the central space to the private meeting rooms is the “Arcade” –a corridor adorned with hanging acoustic panels, illuminated signs, and a floor that evokes the charm of cobbled alleys. This corridor links the northern and southern “neighborhoods.” The interior design draws heavily from the cultural identity of Thessaloniki, incorporating sustainable, local materials and bold graffiti art. This fusion of heritage, contemporary culture, and technology is evident from the entrance colonnades, known as “Meet & Greet.”

 

 

Material Palette & Furniture

Natural timber is paired with perforated, colored terracotta bricks, reminiscent of the red brick found in Thessaloniki’s architecture. These organic materials are contrasted with the project’s core element -technology- highlighted by digital images displayed in a suspended lightbox above the entrance gates. From here, visitors are guided to an amphitheatrical “Square,” with a capacity of 260 people, serving as the primary gathering and presentation space. Work cafés, designed to resemble traditional Greek cafés, and a large central kitchen create a collaborative environment for work and dining, emphasizing this aspect of Greek culture.

The importance of feeling “at home” is immediately evident in the choice of furnishings and the harmonious materials on the lower level, which houses a wellness center complete with a gym, workout rooms, and massage areas. In the open space of this level, game “corners” and a reading room are also incorporated. The project stands as a successful example of a modern, inclusive work environment that encourages people to meet, connect, co-create, and interact.

 

Functional differentiation

The project aim was the design of a private institute with a total area of 486m2 in the village of Deftera, a semi-urban region near Nicosia.

 

Architectural Elements

The design concept emphasizes a clear separation between communal spaces and private classrooms. The building’s program includes a reception area, six classrooms, a computer room, a conference room, and a study room. Movable partitions are installed on the ground floor, enabling the classrooms to be combined into two larger spaces when needed.

 

 

Functional Organization

The northern outdoor courtyard serves as a space for both relaxation and educational activities. The design concept is based on the vertical division of pure prism shape into two sections, with the common areas positioned in between. These spaces feature double-height ceilings and transparent walls on both sides, allowing natural light and views of the surrounding landscape to permeate the building, thus creating a seamless connection between the exterior and interior. The common areas are intended for socialization and integration within the educational environment, while the classrooms offer a private, focused setting for teaching -both elements being equally important to the educational experience and central to the overall design concept.

 

 

Façade Design & Materials

Finally, emphasis was placed on the project’s scale and the strategic use of color to create a welcoming, user-friendly environment. The interior design is enhanced by lighting and acoustics to optimize the functionality of the building and its various spaces. Exterior blinds play a key role on the southern façade, controlling natural light and managing both the interior and exterior visibility of the classrooms, while also creating a dynamic interplay of views and colors of the façade.