Linear volume

Conceived as a continuous linear volume that bends and unfolds across the site, the Courtyard Office organizes its program around a large internal garden that becomes the social and environmental core of the project. The building’s geometry creates a porous workplace environment where circulation, landscape and workspace remain in constant visual dialogue, fostering openness, interaction and environmental comfort.

 

Spatial Organization

The office develops sectionally between two and four levels, allowing the building mass to respond dynamically to orientation, climate and circulation requirements. At the southwest and northeast edges, the volume lifts from the ground plane, enabling prevailing south-westerly breezes to move naturally through the internal courtyard and enhancing passive cooling throughout the complex.

Additional lifted corners at the northeast and northwest ends generate generous double-height volumes that accommodate shared collective functions, including a cafeteria and a library. These spaces establish visual continuity between floors and encourage informal interaction across different departments and working environments.

The primary circulation spine traces the perimeter of the courtyard, maintaining constant visual contact with the landscape while connecting the office floors. Workspaces are arranged along the outer edges of the building envelope, opening toward planted gardens and benefiting from natural light and framed exterior views.

 

 

Climate-Responsive Design

The geometry of the building was carefully developed to maximize environmental performance. Its longest facades are oriented toward the north, ensuring consistent indirect daylight across the office interiors throughout the day. On the remaining elevations, angled louvers filter sunlight while directing views and light northwards, minimizing heat gain and reducing the building’s overall energy demand.

Natural ventilation strategies are embedded directly into the architectural form. The lifted ground conditions, landscaped courtyard and sectional variation collectively generate airflow through the building, creating comfortable internal conditions while limiting dependence on mechanical cooling systems.

 

 

Design Philsoophy

Drawing inspiration from the spatial logic of traditional Indian courtyard houses, the project reinterprets the courtyard not merely as an outdoor void, but as an active climatic and social device. Open and enclosed environments alternate throughout the complex, creating a varied sequence of volumes, orientations and atmospheres that support different modes of work and interaction.

The result is a workplace environment where architecture and landscape operate as a continuous system, balancing environmental efficiency with spatial diversity and human experience.

 

Urban upgrade

Along the axis that, from antiquity to the present day, connects the port of Piraeus with the center of Athens, Pireos Street, a concrete building of approximately 10,000 m² has been constructed, accommodating a fashion company alongside office functions.

 

Design Philosophy

The design of the building seeks to address two critical issues of the contemporary city: the maximization of greenery in relation to the built environment and the optimization of its environmental performance. The architectural composition is articulated through the coexistence of two distinct volumes: a single-storey retail space of 1,300 m² and a five-storey office building in an L-shaped configuration that encloses it, forming a clear boundary towards the adjacent structures and Pireos Street.

The roof of the ground-level volume is transformed into an intensively planted green roof, functioning as an elevated urban garden for both employees and the city. In this way, the project introduces a new topography, where greenery extends vertically, redefining the user’s relationship with the environment.

 

 

Spatial Organization

Employees benefit from a direct visual and functional connection to the garden, ensuring privacy and distancing from the noise of the busy urban artery. At the same time, ramps leading to the planted roof, in combination with the geometry of the curved volume, establish a spatial continuity that connects the ground level with a higher, publicly accessible plane.

The façades is differentiated according to orientation through shading systems such as louvers and stainless-steel mesh, regulating solar exposure and reducing thermal loads without compromising outward views. Each surface is conceived as an active filter mediating between interior and exterior conditions.

 

 

Sustainability & Technology

The green roof is maintained year-round through an automated irrigation system that utilizes rainwater collection and reuse tanks. The storage of significant water volumes supports the survival of the vegetation even during the summer months.

In parallel, the use of air-to-ground heat exchangers – large underground ducts – allows the introduction of naturally tempered air, contributing to the building’s microclimatic performance. A Building Management System (BMS) controls lighting, ventilation, and air conditioning, as well as window operation and internal shading, ensuring optimal indoor comfort while achieving substantial energy savings.

The project embodies a holistic approach to sustainable design, where architecture, technology, and landscape converge into a cohesive system that redefines the contemporary workplace.

 

Digital ecosystem

The Viva Wallet headquarters constitute a model working environment, with sustainability at the core of the architectural design. By maximizing natural light and introducing 2,234 plants from 35 different species, an artificial landscape is created that promotes wellbeing and team cohesion.

 

Brand Identity

Mediterranean gardens, lush with lavender, thyme, olive trees, and almond trees, articulate an architecture with a strong ecological consciousness, offering ideal conditions for creativity and innovation within the fast-paced context of the fintech world.

The twin-building complex, organized around a central atrium, operates as an administrative hub for the company’s European activities, accommodating 450 of its total 1,000 employees.

The architectural branding strategy developed for this project established the foundations for a unified corporate identity, applied across all 24 countries where Viva Wallet operates.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The transformation of the workplace model after the pandemic calls for new approaches to spatial design. The new headquarters is thus conceived not only as a place of work, but as a hub for interaction and creative exchange.

Flexible collaboration zones encourage communication and interaction, while areas for individual work provide conditions for focus and seclusion. Meeting rooms, defined by glass surfaces with varying degrees of transparency, maintain spatial continuity while ensuring privacy.

The working environment is further enriched through multifunctional configurations such as brainstorming caves, lounges, and a planted roof, offering alternative modes of working, coexisting, and relaxation. The atrium hosts the “Code Bites” restaurant, promoting gastronomic wellbeing as an integral aspect of corporate culture, while the rooftop café functions as an alternative social hub. Both facilities are designed to transform into amphitheatrical layouts for presentations and corporate events.

 

 

Materiality & Bioclimatic Design

The building’s aesthetic balances technology and nature, with a color palette that combines the deep blue of the corporate identity with earthy tones and natural materials. The bioclimatic design integrates a wide variety of plants, functioning as a living filter that purifies the air and reduces noise pollution. Large glass surfaces allow abundant natural light to penetrate the interior, significantly reducing energy consumption and enhancing indoor environmental quality.

The new Viva Wallet headquarters is not merely a workspace, but a complex ecosystem designed to respond to the evolving demands of the digital era. It reflects the transition from a static, linear model of work to a dynamic, sustainable, and adaptable environment, where physical presence acquires new meaning.

Its architecture serves not only productivity but equally wellbeing, creativity, and sustainable development, shaping a holistic model that supports contemporary professional life and anticipates the future of work.

 

Geometric accents

The project concerns the creation of a car rental hub, located along the main road axis connecting the airport with the city of Chania. The central design concept is defined by the positioning of a pair of circular buildings along the imaginary extension of the nearby runway.

 

Design Philosophy

The geometry of the buildings is based on simple geometric forms, aiming to produce a clear and legible architectural ensemble. The two volumes are arranged on a unified plaza, which operates as a transitional element between built and unbuilt space. Between the two building entities, a metal canopy is introduced, functioning both as a unifying compositional element and as a threshold zone mediating the transition of visitors from the exterior into the interior of the complex.

The initial concept proposed the creation of two circular, single-space halls, organized through a peripheral arrangement of counters or kiosks, following a spatial typology commonly found in airport environments. At the same time, the design needed to accommodate the potential subdivision of the buildings into independent offices and retail units with direct access from the exterior. The circular geometry proved particularly effective in supporting multiple usage scenarios.

 

 

Functional Organization

At ground level, the buildings host the offices of four car rental companies, while the upper floors accommodate independent office spaces available for lease. The basement levels include auxiliary functions serving the retail units, visitor sanitary facilities, a car wash, and additional electromechanical installations.

The outdoor space is carefully configured to support the continuous circulation of small vans transporting customers to and from the airport, while also maximizing the number of parking spaces and vehicle handover points.

 

Material Palette

The folded metal envelope, aluminum cladding, and the use of high-specification glazing and panel systems form a coherent architectural vocabulary that aims to establish a distinct identity for the development, while simultaneously providing a flexible design framework for future expansion.

 

Visual permeability

A compact hair studio of just 28m2 has been transformed into a spatial experience defined by clarity, warmth, and highly intentional material choices. Located in the commercial heart of Melissia, the project explores how light, color, and structure can work in concert to elevate a small-scale program into an expressive and memorable interior.

 

Design Philosophy

The design approach is defined by precision and visual permeability. Fluted glass panels and glass blocks – used both on the façade and within interior partitions – are employed to gently filter natural light, creating a softly illuminated environment that feels more expansive than its physical footprint. This controlled transparency enhances depth and atmosphere while ensuring privacy where required.

The façade is articulated as a striking composition of bold red steel framing, curved profiles, and translucent glass blocks, establishing a distinct and recognizable identity. A pivoting window allows the threshold to remain fluid and inviting, while an integrated outdoor bench extends the interior experience toward the street, fostering a dialogue between the studio and its urban context and offering a place for brief pauses by clients or passersby.

 

 

Functional Layout

The spatial layout is organized with clarity and efficiency. A primary wall accommodates a sequence of full-height mirrors and black styling chairs, positioned to maximize light reflection and maintain unobstructed circulation. Storage is seamlessly integrated through tall cabinetry and discreet product shelving, preserving a clean and orderly workspace. Throughout the interior, red accents are introduced as intentional focal points – from equipment details to the warm glow of lighting in the side room – echoing the exterior language and infusing vibrancy into the muted interior setting.

 

 

Material Palette

Within the interior, the material palette reinforces a sense of quiet confidence. Surfaces are finished in soft grey tones, forming a calm and cohesive envelope. An exposed cement ceiling introduces a raw, tactile quality that contrasts with the smoothness of the walls and mirrors, grounding the space while emphasizing its vertical dimension. This restrained backdrop is designed to support, rather than overpower, the daily activity of the studio.

Through the careful orchestration of materiality, structure, and light, a space is formed in which each element remains in constant dialogue with the others. Minimalism is balanced with character, precision with warmth, and efficiency with atmosphere. The result is a thoughtful interior that demonstrates how even the most compact spaces can be imbued with depth, identity, and a sense of calm refinement.

 

 

Sinuous structure

The winery is part of a family-run wine tourism development in Portugal’s Alto Douro Wine Region, a UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site. Together with a hotel still under construction, the winery blends into the landscape, combining tradition with innovation and sustainability.

 

Context Integration

Designed to minimize environmental impact, the project utilizes existing infrastructure while anticipating future adaptations. Its curvilinear architecture echoes the zigzag vineyards without compromising functionality. Locally sourced materials such as schist and granite reduce transport emissions, while wooden structures replace concrete where possible, limiting CO2 release. Over time, the pinkish greys, greens and browns take on new hues and textures, potentiating the building’s integration into the environment.

The configuration of the building is a set of interlocking naves that follow the existing topographic slopes, replicated on its internal mechanics, where the winemaking process takes place by gravity. The gravitational system is a traditional solution on the banks of the River Douro and this wine cellar showcases it with all its up to-date operational capabilities.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The geometry of the cellar’s roof interprets the vernacular gable roof structured in wood. This structure is exposed in the winery, and becomes a sinuous, continuous and organic sculptural element that flows through the tangential curves of the vineyards.

The winery’s main entrance houses a visitor center with a reception area and a wine shop that leads up to a meeting room with an all-glass wall and to the wine tasting area in a spacious balconied gallery, overlooking both the wine ageing area in the central nave of the building and the surrounding landscape. These rooms have access to the vineyard and a stone little old chapel, via a large terrace overlooking the Douro. Events that favor a prestigious wine tourism may be hosted to promote the winery and the region and celebrate both nature and architecture.

 

 

Sustainable Design & Vegetation

The development uses renewable energy sources, namely geothermal energy, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to provide ideal hydrothermal conditions for wine production and human comfort. Energy efficiency is fundamental to the winery’s design. The building’s northerly orientation and its specific insulation ensure optimum indoor temperatures and humidity levels, with limited mechanical climate control. The few windows and skylights frame the landscape and maximize the use of natural light.

Water conservation is also integral to the winery, which lacked public water supply infrastructure. Rainwater is harvested, drinking water sourced from artesian boreholes, and wastewater is treated and recycled for irrigation, cleaning, and fire prevention. Permeable pathways return rainwater to agricultural use, reducing waste and preserving resources.

The landscape design revives native flora, enriching biodiversity and supporting ecosystems that benefit vineyard health and promote economic activities that run parallel to the wine production.

 

Domestic origin

The new Daras Dental clinic in Piraeus challenges the conventions of a typical clinical environment, redefining it as a place of healing rather than discomfort. Bright surfaces, warm wooden tones, semi-transparent materials, and domestic details come together to soothe patients’ anxiety and create a more welcoming atmosphere.

 

Spatial Organization

Housed in a 1960s apartment building near the port, the 110 m² residence is transformed into a multi-dental clinic for three dentists and their staff. The original living–dining area is removed and replaced by a timber-and-glass module made of channel glass, accommodating the reception, office, CT scan room, waiting area, and the main treatment room. Two additional treatment rooms, the restrooms, and staff areas are organized within the apartment’s existing partitions.

Materials & Construction

The clinic’s identity emerges from the combination of wood and glass, blending the typologies of clinic and home. Rather than concealing the conversion, the design embraces the space’s domestic origins, fostering a sense of comfort. Contemporary details subtly reference the modernism of the 1960s – the decade in which the building was constructed.

 

 

Form & Lighting Design

Piraeus itself – the busiest passenger port in Europe and a gateway to the Aegean Sea – also served as a source of inspiration. Luminous glazed surfaces evoke the depths of the sea, while circular openings and finely crafted joinery recall the craftsmanship of yachts. A discreet mint-green floor bridges the clinical and nautical references. Above all, light animates the space: luminous ceilings provide a clean, fresh counterpoint to the more domestic service areas.

 

Urban recovery

The architectural proposal for the adaptive reuse of the iconic Mínion department store in the center of Athens posed a significant challenge, as the restoration of its extensive, abandoned shell became an opportunity for a design approach with a clear narrative and morphological intent.

 

Design Philosophy

The central design idea interprets the historical layering of the urban block, shaped over time by the gradual consolidation of different properties during its operation as a department store. The selection of a three-color palette for the façade’s functions symbolically, subtly alluding to the composition of the individual buildings. In this way, the project establishes a dialogue with the surrounding urban fabric, expressed through a distinctly rationalist and understated rhythm.

Particular emphasis was placed on redesigning the base of the building. Through a pronounced shift in architectural language and typology, the arcades along the street frontage were shaped with arches, evoking a more commercial and urban Athens of the past. The varying geometry of the openings responds to the existing structural framework, preserving the building’s constructional identity.

 

 

Functional Organization

The new “double” envelope consists of two layers: the inner one is organized through the rhythm of the openings to maximize natural daylight, while the outer one is formed by a grid of colored metal shading panels. The composition draws references from Athenian rationalism, modernism, and the city’s neoclassical heritage, adding depth and a three-dimensional expression. The engraved “Mínion” logo, carved into the marble cladding, marks the building’s renewed identity with respect for its past.

 

 

Bioclimatic Design

Bioclimatic principles inform the entire project. More than 97% of the load-bearing structure was preserved, reducing demolition and the embodied carbon footprint. Automation and management systems for lighting and climate control were implemented, achieving significant energy savings, while the use of low-emission materials enhances the building’s sustainable character. The green roof, planted with Mediterranean vegetation, improves the local microclimate. Now accommodating both commercial and office uses, and achieving an excellent environmental performance certified with LEED Gold, Mínion is reintroduced to the city not as a memory, but as an active, sustainable chapter of its urban future.

 

Well-being as design principle

The design of the pharmacy seeks to shape a spatial environment that surpasses the conventional association of pharmacies with clinical sterility. Its architectural approach is anchored in the concept of well-being, which serves as the project’s guiding design principle.

 

Design Philosophy

Inspired by the broader idea of living well, the composition develops through natural textures and warm tonalities, creating an atmosphere that is both inviting and human-oriented. This holistic view of health, embracing physical, psychological, and social dimensions, is translated into space through subtle references to nature, which act as the conceptual and aesthetic foundation of the project.

 

 

Spatial Layout

The 67 m² program is organized into two distinct zones: the main pharmacy and product-display area, and a sequence of auxiliary rooms including a workspace, kitchenette, restroom, and storage. At the core of the primary space, a low central island structures circulation while incorporating both display and storage functions. The service counter is aligned axially with the entrance, ensuring a direct visual connection and a seamless flow between interior and exterior. Perimeter shelving is arranged in precise geometric lines with integrated storage components, supporting both functional clarity and a clean visual identity.

 

 

Materials & Façade Design

The selected palette and color strategy aim to foster an atmosphere of warmth, familiarity, and calm. Soft green hues, neutral beige surfaces, transparent elements, and subtly textured finishes create a balanced dialogue throughout the space. Additional custom-designed furnishings – including the central island, the service counter, and seating pieces – follow a shared design language composed of a green base, a storage volume, and a wooden top, forming a cohesive functional ensemble.

The façade is defined by a green metal lattice divided into four panels that symbolically reference the form of herbal leaves, an aesthetic and conceptual nod to the natural origins of pharmaceutical products. Acting as both an expressive surface and a protective screen, the metal structure alludes to nature and the idea of wellness while providing the necessary security of the premises. By replacing the conventional shutter with a more organic gesture, the design allows the spatial narrative, one that connects health with balance, nature, and serenity, to be perceived even before entering the store.

 

Natural line

Overall, the project proposes an architectural language that is minimal yet expressive, where form, materiality, and light engage in dialogue to shape a holistic experience that transcends commercial function and highlights the space as a bearer of aesthetic and semantic value.

 

Design Philosophy

The store’s design is based on the curve, as a reference to the natural line of the female body. The space’s flow and the organic forms in earthy tones – with microcement as the dominant material – shaped a clean, unified, and minimal aesthetic result. This simplicity of lines and the selected materiality simultaneously function as a backdrop, highlight the garments as protagonists, and offer visitors an experience of calm, elegance, and aesthetic continuity.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The compositional intent relies on shaping a spatial shell where curves operate not merely as decorative elements but as tools for organizing movement and prioritizing sightlines. The integration of lighting, natural and artificial, was approached as an architectural medium that reveals textures, intensifies the plasticity of surfaces, and defines different atmospheres during the visit.

 

 

 

Material Palette

The materiality of microcement, combined with a warm palette of tones, establishes a sense of monolithic character while simultaneously maintaining the softness and fluidity required by the space’s concept. Through this balance, the store’s architecture does not function simply as a backdrop for the exhibits but as a spatial narrative in which the visitor’s body becomes part of the compositional process.

 

Natural textures

The project introduces a new architectural paradigm within the realm of luxury retail. The space functions not merely as a point of sale but – through meticulously detailed design – as a complete spatial experience that celebrates minimalism through the refined elegance of natural materials.

 

Material & Color Palette

At the core of the store’s identity lies the use of natural materials, with luxurious onyx stone in green and blue tones as the dominant element. Wall claddings, countertops, and display plinths form a framework of understated luxury with an earthy character, while light reflections on the surfaces reveal their natural depth and texture.

The warm color palette serves as a calm backdrop, allowing the garments to take center stage. The restrained aesthetic is enhanced by clean lines and geometric clarity, enabling effortless movement and a sense of freedom. Floating shelves and stainless-steel structures emphasize lightness, while mirrors with golden frames introduce a subtle radiance and expand the spatial perception.

 

 

Lighting Design

Lighting design, with warm 3000 Kelvin tones, creates an atmosphere of intimacy, highlighting the fabrics’ textures with precision. Through carefully defined zones, light directs the visitors’ flow, accentuating both products and architectural features. High-CRI fixtures ensure accurate color and material rendering, reinforcing the sense of quality throughout the space.

 

 

Custom Elements

As an unexpected touch, the fitting rooms deviate from the dominant palette, adopting a soft green hue that evokes warmth and privacy while maintaining harmony with the store’s natural character. This contrast adds visual interest and functions as a spatial threshold that enriches the visitor’s experience. The design demonstrates that minimalism – when paired with natural materials and refined detailing – can become synonymous with luxury. A space that transcends the act of consumption and transforms into a complete design experience, where fashion and architecture coexist in perfect balance.

 

Undoing typologies

The project concerns the renovation and expansion of a dental clinic, aimed at accommodating a greater number of patients. The clinic’s original area was 60m², while the final surface now reaches 85m².

 

Design Philosophy

The main concept was to create a space that conveys cleanliness, while simultaneously breaking the mold of typical medical spaces, as medical advancement should now be in harmony with architecture. The clinic features a comfortable waiting area, the central element of which is an oak table that visually extends into the office space and transforms into a workstation for the doctor. Vertical wooden elements frame the waiting area, with the wooden screens standing out as their arrangement subtly guides patients towards the examination rooms.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The office is enclosed by glass, designed with custom delicate vertical lines that ensure privacy while allowing light beams to enter, giving the impression of a constantly transforming space. Directly next to the office is the entrance to Examination Room 2, which is also internally connected to Examination Room 1 via a sliding door. For Examination Room 1, which was the new addition, a construction of vertical slats extends up to the ceiling, with dimmable LED strips placed in between at varying heights. This way, the patient’s experience -typically oriented toward the ceiling- changes radically.

 

Material Palette

The materials and tones used throughout, such as gray tiling and white-painted walls, play the most important role, as they allow continuous light reflection, resulting in a timeless space that radiates cleanliness.

 

Spatial experiment

The project reflects Shanghai’s evolving urban culture. By creating a curated immersive environment, the café acts as both a neighborhood gathering place and a statement of global coffee culture. It connects the local context with international design trends, enriching the city’s cultural fabric.

 

Design Philosophy

The project was conceived as a commercial space that transcends traditional functions. Instead of a conventional café, it represents an immersive curatorial experience, where design, commerce, and community intertwine. The design emphasizes a new urban lifestyle -open, experimental, and centered around creative exchange.

The original building’s spacious design and rugged industrial features offered both challenges and opportunities for the project. Instead of using traditional walls, the design features low, wooden walls and modular display racks to create a space that feels both open and organized. The plant installations at the entrance and the creative exhibition square blend together, marking the start of the commercial transformation while also telling a cultural story. The space is designed to grow organically: the modular racks can be rearranged to update product displays, and the central area can be quickly changed into a conference or event space by moving the coffee cart and adjusting the seating. This flexibility is key to balancing the space’s function and aesthetic appeal.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The spatial concept blends circulation, display, and social interaction. Multiple levels of platforms and corridors connect seamlessly, allowing people to experience the café dynamically from different perspectives. The arrangement encourages movement, interaction, and exploration, making the space part café, part gallery, part social hub. Zones for coffee, exhibition, and creative workshops are integrated within a single cohesive narrative. Flexible furniture and modular installations allow the space to adapt to different events and activities. The functional design ensures both day-to-day café operation and the potential to host curated events or art showcases.

 

 

Material Palette & Sustainability

Natural textures like wood, stone, and metal are layered with experimental finishes. Contrasts of raw and refined materials reflect the blend of commerce and creativity. Lighting plays a key role, highlighting architectural gestures while shaping intimate atmospheres. Finally, the modular display systems and flexible plant arrangements make the space adaptable to seasonal changes, events, and the natural rhythms of the plants. This method goes beyond traditional design, giving the space the ability to adjust and stay lively. It’s sustainable not only because it uses natural elements to save energy, but because the design allows commercial activities to blend with the space’s natural flow.

 

Layered façades

“To meet the mountains, to gaze at the sea, to connect with others, to rediscover oneself.” As commercial dining spaces evolve, the focus increasingly shifts to experiences that capture emotion. The design crafts a curatorial-style immersive dining experience inspired by poetic depictions of landscapes, unfolding like a flowing canvas. The design transforms emotions into physical form, shaping a seamless journey of the senses.

 

Design Philosophy

The design uses imagery of mountains and seas as the backbone of the space. Floor-to-ceiling windows blur the indoor-outdoor boundary, while curved planting walls and flowing textures guide exploration. Layered façades rise like mountains, complemented by flowing amber light. Walls of varied shapes carve distinct dining zones, allowing spontaneous pathways for diners to roam.

The project reinterprets Eastern culture through contemporary design language. By merging natural metaphors of mountains and seas with innovative forms, the project integrates tradition and modernity, creating a space of harmony, balance, and poetic resonance. The space becomes both a sensory dining journey and a cultural statement about Eastern aesthetics in a globalized context.

 

 

Functional Layout

The open kitchen and grilling area form the focal point, with a towering open-flame oven resembling a mystical furnace. The spatial sequence unfolds as an immersive narrative: reception, open atrium, café-like lounge, private rooms, and hidden corridors. Tiered seating designs accommodate varied dining scenarios, balancing privacy with openness. Private rooms adopt innovative green tones, contrasting with the jade marble barriers and gilded ceilings of the main hall.

 

 

Material Palette

Materials evoke the duality of mountain and sea. Green tiled floors suggest fields and retreats, layered white façades rise like mountains, and amber lighting suggests vitality. Deep jade-green marble is used for monumental barriers, while gilded ceilings contrast with understated elegance. Natural stone, luminous glazing, greenery, and curvilinear walls merge to create a poetic atmosphere.

 

Unfinished architecture

The restoration of the Caffè Nazionale embraces the city by establishing a direct relationship with the urban fabric of Arzignano. Historical traces are engaged in a creative dialogue, generating layered depth through spatial elements conceived as theatrical backdrops. The project emphasizes continuity with memory while creating a multifaceted and collaborative architectural intervention.

 

Spatial Organization

The design connects interior and exterior along an axis that aligns the colonnade, the main hall, and the birch courtyard. Spaces unfold as a sequence of stages, creating visual dialogues between the square, the vestibule, and the courtyard. The layout orchestrates transitions between civic space, café, and garden, highlighting the interplay of openness and enclosure.

The main hall integrates fragments of different historical layers. A pleated stainless steel wall conceals and reveals views, while posters by artist Stefan Marx evoke Belle Époque theater. The ground floor hosts the entrance, bar, open kitchen, and café hall, with an upper dining room accessed by a staircase. Wooden tables and benches organize interior and exterior seating, merging tradition with contemporary references.

 

 

Material Palette

Recovered historical elements coexist with new interventions. Stainless steel walls, burnished iron doors, serpentine marble handles, polychrome mosaic floors, and multilayered wooden ceilings all contribute to a layered, theatrical materiality. The project embraces imperfection and unfinished textures, highlighting authenticity in surfaces and construction details.

 

 

Context Integration

Through its restoration, the project becomes a living work that connects the square, colonnade, and garden with Arzignano’s cultural identity. It preserves memory while embracing new uses, creating a space of urban continuity and layered history. This project exemplifies architectural research into “the unfinished”, revealing processes and construction techniques as part of the architectural narrative.

 

Deconstructivist aesthetic

This is a bold new approach to commercial design -an innovative exploration rooted in the city’s cultural DNA. In Mayu Town, a hub of the eyewear industry is seizing a fresh start amid economic decline.

 

Design Philosophy

With a groundbreaking eyewear art showroom, the brand explores the fusion of commerce and culture, paving a bold new path. Set against a backdrop of urban regeneration, the design reimagines the traditional showroom, transforming the space into an artistic landmark. Beyond its commercial origins, it emerges as a daring, era-defining art space with a deconstructivist aesthetic. The design rises above mere functionality, exploring how commercial spaces can organically transform and redefine their role in industrial cities.

 

 

Spatial Organization

Guided by light and inspired by geometry, the design employs 45° light angles to craft triangular harmony. The notion of ‘gaze’ emerges as a central theme, orchestrating a playful interplay between sight and setting. Soft membrane lighting concealed within geometric gaps casts a warm glow, enriched by subtle red shadows. Sunlight, reflecting off folded surfaces, creates a shifting choreography of beams -shaping a dramatic, immersive atmosphere.

The interior defies rigid, traditional layouts, embracing a fluid, symbiotic design. The showroom, café, and art bookstore blend seamlessly, creating a dynamic, sensory-driven path. The journey begins at reception, continues through an exhibition atrium, then flows to the café and up to the bookstore. This narrative of sight, smell, and instinct redefines the urban role of commercial spaces. By embedding a growth-oriented spirit, the showroom becomes a cultural hub -more than a retail venue, it is a living piece of the city’s identity.

 

 

Material Palette

Columns are reshaped into geometric forms, channeling light to create depth. Eco-friendly artistic coatings unify ceiling, walls, and floor in a soft warm-white finish. The material strategy softens the glow, yielding a continuous sculptural space -intricate yet simple, intimate yet expansive.

The outdoor area acts as a prelude, rejecting traditional gardens in favor of sleek postmodern design. Geometric shapes and glass facades sync with the city’s architectural pulse. This project reimagines commercial models on an urban scale, linking interior, exterior, and surroundings into one shared cultural narrative. The ‘Light Museum’ concept merges commerce, space, and culture into a lifeline for industrial cities.

 

Cycladic minimalism

Xylo is a carving gallery situated in one of Santorini’s villages, Megalochori, whose beauty and spirit still capture the essence of Cycladic culture. Xylo is the Greek word for “wood”.

 

Design Philosophy

The gallery is a paean to modern Cycladic minimalism, a place destined to express the essence of Xylo, communicate the craft of wood carving and showcase the artist’s creations. The project’s starting point was the naturalistic and simple beauty of Greek tradition. More specifically, our studio draw inspiration from Greek arts and crafts.

 

 

Custom elements

Metallic and wooden panels recreate, in a contemporary manner, details of traditional embroideries and are used as semi-transparent partitions or shelving systems to display the artist’s sculptures. Another key aspect is the meticulously preserved carpenter’s workbenches placed in the gallery.

 

 

Layout & Materials

The gallery’s layout is an open-plan space with display spots on each wall. A central display unit creates a discrete division while maintaining the openness of the space, thanks to its thin structure. The selected colors and materials, inspired by traditional Cycladic architecture, aim to highlight the gallery’s wooden sculptures. The final composition is a serene and subdued environment, acting as a cool white canvas for the exhibits.

 

 

Urban refuge

Located in a heritage building from the early 20th century, this project serves as a bridge between past and present -an exceptional fusion of history and modernity. The restoration of the building, recognized as a historical landmark, was carried out with a focus on preserving its original architectural elements, rescuing details that tell stories of bygone eras and allowing its essence to remain alive.

 

Design Philosophy

In the heart of the city, this space has been transformed into a place where coffee is not only tasted but also experienced and lived. More than just a café, it is a tribute to tradition and contemporary culture, a meeting point where the aroma of freshly roasted beans blends with the rich history of the building and the warmth of its design. Conceived to breathe new life into the urban center and challenge the growing disconnect with these spaces, the studio designed a renovation that reinterprets the past without losing its authenticity, offering an atmosphere of introspection, connection, and discovery.

 

 

Functional Organization

The journey begins at the soul of the project: a coffee roaster that, beyond being a key element in production, stands as a symbol of the artisanal process that defines the character of the space. Adjacent to it, the experimentation lab serves as an alchemical stage where baristas and experts refine recipes and explore new ways to extract the essence of coffee. Finally, the experience culminates in the tasting area, a warm and immersive environment where visitors can savor the result of this meticulous process. These spaces intertwine seamlessly, allowing guests not only to enjoy a beverage but also to witness the journey each bean takes -from roasting to cup.

 

 

Restoration Strategy

Rather than imposing itself on its history, the design embraces the past, carefully restoring original elements such as wooden paneling and stone-carved frames. These details, combined with handcrafted contemporary furniture and materials like wood, metal, and textiles, create a harmonious dialogue between old and new. This intervention is not just about renovating a building but about redefining its meaning, integrating modern elements without losing its identity.

Beyond its aesthetic value, this transformation is a commitment to the revitalization of the urban core, encouraging the community to reclaim the space and fostering a stronger sense of connection. At a time when cities have prioritized mobility over livability, this project demonstrates that design can be a powerful tool to reconnect people with their surroundings. Here, among the aroma of freshly roasted coffee and the warmth of a thoughtfully restored space, visitors find a refuge where time slows down and history can be savored in every sip.

 

Fluid interior

Diosa is an all-day café/bar located in Agios Georgios Square, in the vibrant heart of Kypseli, Athens. A space that transforms with the passing of the day, shaped by light and atmosphere.

 

Design Philosophy

By day, soft natural tones highlight textures and materials, creating a calm, earthy ambiance. By night, the lighting deepens and intensifies, giving way to a more intimate, immersive setting. This dual character of Diosa -a relaxed haven for coffee and conversation by day, and a lively bar for drinks and social gatherings by night- is at the core of the project’s architectural approach.

 

 

Functional layout

The layout is defined by two structural columns framing a circular wall opening -a subtle yet distinctive architectural gesture that guides movement and sets the rhythm of the interior. Strategically placed mirrored and silver-toned surfaces reflect light in varied ways, adding layers of shifting visual texture and movement throughout the space.

 

 

Façade Design & Materials

On the façade, iridescent vinyls and the Diosa logo play with the viewer’s perspective and the changing light of day, echoing the project’s playful and contemporary spirit. A tiled wall featuring a gradient of fading hues introduces a sense of continuity and flow, harmonizing with the lighting scheme and reflective elements to create a coherent and unified visual language. Fluid, luminous, and ever evolving, the design offers a renewed spatial experience with every visit, inviting guests to rediscover it again and again.

 

Industrial memory

In a quiet neighborhood of Pagrati, a 100m² ground-floor space is reimagined through thoughtful architectural intervention. With a rich history and diverse uses dating back to the 1970s -from a handmade fabric flower workshop, car repair garage, and photography studio to its current life as a boutique for clothing and jewelry- the space now embraces a new identity: contemporary, warm, and approachable.

 

Design Philosophy

The design bridges past and present by preserving and celebrating the materiality and layered history of the space. Rather than mimicking its former functions, it pays tribute to them. A two-tone treatment on the walls -beige at the base and a deep, warm burgundy above- softens the shell’s verticality and introduces a more human scale. This color palette also highlights the original mosaic flooring, which remains intact as a living memory within the space.

 

 

Materials & Custom Elements

Natural wood brings warmth and tactile richness, reinforcing a sense of friendliness and simplicity. Cement blocks, echoing an industrial aesthetic, are employed both structurally -such as in partition walls- and decoratively, forming tables and planters.

Custom-designed furnishings feature clean, minimal lines that allow the focus to remain on the products themselves. Jewelry display tables are inset with discreet vitrines that subtly frame each piece. Soft fabric curtains, used to conceal the old interior mezzanines, add a theatrical quality and enhance the visual clarity and continuity of the main space.

 

 

Spatial Layout

A key aspect of the redesign is the repositioning of the jewelry workshop. Once a hidden, utilitarian space, it is now an open, active feature within the store, inviting visitors to observe the creation process in real time -a direct link between craftsmanship and customer experience.

With an emphasis on detail and cohesion, the intervention avoids excess and honors the character of the original space. The renovation creates a quiet yet unmistakable transition -from past to present- transforming the venue into a contemporary landmark in the neighborhood.

 

Past legacies

Forefathers is a contemporary food-and-beverage venture that celebrates ancestral ways of life through modern design. Conceived by a group of young entrepreneurs, the brand reinterprets traditional regional cuisine and architecture, pairing vernacular materials with current construction techniques to achieve a refined, sophisticated ambience.

 

Context Integration

Located on Road No. 45 in Jubilee Hills -Hyderabad’s premier destination for high-end restaurants and clubs -the project occupies a concrete–steel composite shell comprising a ground floor, two upper storeys, and a mezzanine inserted within a triple-height volume. Commercial buildings flank the plot on either side, while a community park with dense vegetation borders the rear.

Visitors enter between tall, angled walls that frame a 25-foot-high pitched-roof canopy. This volume tapers to a 12-foot flat-roofed reception zone before opening into a dramatic 40-foot-tall interior hall. The progression concludes beneath a 28-foot pitched roof in a semi-open backyard. The orchestrated sequence creates a seamless flow and clarifies the building’s composition.

 

 

Roof & Landscape Design

The structure comprises three generous gabled canopies clad in terracotta tiles. The front and rear canopies remain semi-open, their roofs supported by branching steel columns that evoke trees. Square glass inserts punctuate the terracotta, animating arrival zones with shifting patterns of light and shadow. The central canopy -soaring to 40 feet- melds steel and concrete to hold a multi-level dining hall, performance area, and glimpses into the first-floor kitchen. A mezzanine with a bar project through glass walls toward the backyard, visually stitching indoor and outdoor realms.

The project’s landscape strategy elevates freestanding seating pods at varied heights in the rear yard, fostering privacy without walls. Water features and planted pockets weave between these platforms, while a live kitchen and composite glass-and-tile roofs generate dappled daylight that evolves throughout the day.

 

 

Material Palette & Lighting

Handmade bricks, terracotta tiles, and fly-ash blocks anchor the project in local craft and low-embodied-energy materials, whereas contemporary concrete and steel framing provide precision and stability. A restrained palette -primarily terracotta- yields a timeless minimalism; nuanced brick patterns supply texture and complexity within that uniformity.

At the heart of the lighting scheme, Baaya Design Studio suspends sculptural fabric cubes that showcase Telangana’s traditional crafts -Kalamkari, Pochampally ikat, and leather puppetry. The installation bridges heritage and modernity, echoing Forefathers’ mission to resonate with today’s audiences while honoring the past.

Through this integrated approach, the bar-restaurant manifests a dialogue between old and new, crafting an atmosphere where culinary and architectural narratives alike celebrate the legacy of forebears in a contemporary context.

 

Architectural flexibility

In a 100m2 area that previously accommodated three separate professional offices, a state-of-the-art physiotherapy center has been created. The unification of these independent units into a single, cohesive high-tech space was an ambitious architectural endeavor -one that seamlessly combines functionality, openness, and a calming therapeutic atmosphere.

 

Design Philosophy

Developed in close collaboration with the therapist-owner, the design aimed to establish a versatile, multi-purpose facility capable of supporting a wide range of therapeutic practices and addressing the complex needs of patients. The layout includes a welcoming reception area, four treatment rooms, a specialized rehabilitation gym, and the therapist’s private office. Each space is tailored to host a distinct therapy modality -ranging from electrotherapy and hydrotherapy to counseling and targeted strength training.

 

 

Spatial Organization & Materials

Accessibility was a top priority, with wide walkways exceeding 1.5m, gently sloped entrances, and an elevator ensuring smooth movement for individuals with mobility challenges. The main treatment area features modular workstations with movable beds and equipment stored in smart, built-in cabinets -allowing for quick adaptation to different therapeutic setups. Private rooms are equipped with sound-insulating panels, offering the privacy and quiet needed for more focused, introspective therapies.

The rehabilitation gym includes specialized equipment such as balance training machines and full-length mirrors that allow patients to monitor their posture and movement. Flooring throughout is made from elastic, closed-cell materials that are both non-slip and antimicrobial. Work surfaces are crafted from antibacterial-coated quartz for easy disinfection and hygiene control. Automated treatment beds with adjustable height and tilt enhance comfort and adaptability during sessions.

 

 

Sustainability & Lighting Design

A network of integrated temperature and humidity sensors maintains an optimal microclimate across all areas. Each room benefits from natural light and ventilation, adhering to standards required for primary-use spaces. The interior design embraces a minimalist aesthetic with a dominant white palette, fostering tranquility and clarity. Individual spaces feature curated color accents, chosen for their ability to offer psychological relief and emotional comfort.

Lighting is discreet and thoughtfully placed: LED strips under cabinets provide ambient illumination, while adjustable lamps above treatment beds allow for focused lighting when needed. All construction materials were selected with sustainability and health in mind, including FSC-certified woods and VOC-free paints.

This facility is more than a physiotherapy clinic -it is a holistic wellness ecosystem. Through architectural adaptability, technological innovation, and meticulous attention to detail, it offers a restorative environment for both patients and practitioners.

“Architecture can be as healing as the therapies themselves.”

 

 

Corporate Identity Design: we are two

Cultural redefinition

The iconic Greek fashion brand Parthenis was founded in 1970, when Dimitris Parthenis opened his first store in Athens. In 1978, Parthenis opened a boutique in Mykonos, which was both a source of inspiration and a stepping-stone for international fame. Parthenis’ minimalist, monochromatic designs are recognised worldwide for their timeless elegance, high quality, and flattering silhouettes. With Orsalia Parthenis, daughter of the founder, at its helm, the brand continues its strong global presence in the world of fashion and design.

 

Project Aim

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.

 

 

Design Philosophy

In parallel, the design aim was to conceive, construct and curate every stage of the creation of Parthenis Café, from spatial philosophy to interior design, including a range of custom-made furniture and lighting. The design draws inspiration from the eternal elements of Greek summer: light, energy, and simplicity. The result is faithful to the pure forms of Cycladic architecture and the easy, stripped-back Parthenis aesthetic, using local materials such as marble, wood, and metal in modern yet timeless ways.

 

 

Material Palette & Custom Structures

Sculptural marble and metal sconces, a marble counter and a bar clad in textured wooden panels, nesting tripod stools and side tables that can be reconfigured around low benches with striped cushions, all complement the clean lines of the Parthenis collection. Clothing is displayed on free-standing rails suspended from the ceiling. The project draws inspiration from Greece and its cultural heritage, redefining contemporary Greek style with international elements and reimagining Hellenism’ in a minimalist and elegant way.

 

Flowy experience

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.

 

Spatial Organization

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.

Color Palette & Materials

Bright white serves as the dominant color throughout. The materials were chosen boldly, with smooth tonal transitions but striking contrasts in texture. Glossy finishes like epoxy paint and stainless steel alternate with coarse materials such as earth and plaster. A lightweight, corrugated plastic surface is juxtaposed against the smooth, heavy mass of marble—highlighting both contrast and balance.

 

 

Natural Light

Light reflects, refracts, or is absorbed in a variety of ways, with natural elements along the perimeter gently softening the edges of the space. This nuanced lighting enhances the dialogue between synthetic forms and organic presence.

 

Minimal aesthetic

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.

 

Material palette

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.

 

 

Custom constructions

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.

 

Double motion

This unique drive-through café bakery concept redefines convenience for busy professionals, commuters, and anyone seeking a delicious break from their hectic day.

 

Design Philosophy

The project addresses the growing demand for a space that caters to both the fast-paced lifestyle of those constantly on the move and those looking for a quiet, relaxing moment amid their busy routines. The concept is simple: a drive-through café bakery that combines the speed of service with the comfort and warmth of fresh, high-quality baked goods. Every detail, from the clean lines of the architecture to the minimalistic yet inviting branding, was carefully designed to provide an enjoyable experience.

From the outset, the vision for the bakery extended beyond a single location. The brand was designed with franchising in mind, ensuring scalability while preserving its unique identity. The color palette, materials, and design choices reflect this focus, emphasizing elements that are easy to replicate yet leave a lasting impression. With consistent branding and thoughtful design, every new franchise location is poised to deliver the same welcoming, efficient experience that customers will recognize and love.

 

 

Materials & Color Palette

The branding, design, and service all reflect the café’s intentional flexibility, creating a dual-purpose concept that caters to both fast and slow consumption. Every design choice, from the colors to the materials, was carefully considered to craft an experience that is welcoming, efficient, and memorable. Blue was chosen as the primary color for its bold, vibrant, and timeless quality, representing clarity and freshness. This specific shade of blue also evokes trust and reliability, essential traits for a brand serving busy professionals and families on the go. Additionally, the blue contrasts beautifully with the golden hues of freshly baked goods, making the food visually stand out. Accents of white and grey were introduced to bring balance and sophistication to the brand. These neutral tones create a clean, minimalistic backdrop that allows the bright blue elements to pop while maintaining an approachable and elegant design. The simplicity of the color scheme ensures its success and scalability for future franchises, as it is both easy to reproduce and visually striking.

Choosing the right materials for future franchise locations was crucial, balancing durability, sustainability, and aesthetics. The facades are made from high-quality, weather-resistant materials to ensure longevity and minimal maintenance, making them easy to replicate across different sites. Materials like polished concrete, lightweight metals, and treated wood accents were selected for their modern functionality. Concrete provides durability and stability, while metal elements add a contemporary edge. Weather-treated wood accents bring warmth and comfort, reinforcing the bakery’s image as a welcoming space.

 

 

Functional Organization

The architecture is streamlined and modern, designed for quick service to accommodate fast-paced customers. Wide, easy-to-navigate lanes, clear signage, and strategically placed ordering points ensure a smooth and efficient drive-through experience. At the same time, the exterior design offers an inviting atmosphere for those who wish to stop, grab a coffee, and enjoy the freshly baked goods. The storefront’s minimalistic structure, paired with clean lines, ensures the space remains open and welcoming. The simple yet sophisticated design reflects the ease and quality that the brand promises. Every detail was chosen to minimize wait times and maximize the customer experience.

 

Local interaction

The project is a curated concept store located in Shaoxing, Zhejiang. It offers a retail space that spans fashion, accessories, footwear, home goods, and art derivatives.

 

Design Philosophy

The store occupies a commercial unit with an impressive original ceiling height of about seven meters. The design strategy introduces two rectangular core zones, assigning the outer glass views to distinct spatial units. Structural variation emerges through the interplay of staggered heights in these zones. The area near the glass façade retains the building’s original ceiling height, alleviating the potential confinement from the spatial layering. The second floor serves as a multifunctional space accommodating display, office, and storage functions. Through its tiered layout, the design effectively separates the open product area from the private office zone, creating a clear circulation flow that enhances the shopping experience.

 

 

Brand Identity

The brand name embodies the philosophy of intentional choice and exploration, inviting consumers to make selections that bring them closer to their ideal lifestyle. Situated in Shaoxing, the store reflects a local ethos that moves beyond imitating first-tier cities, embracing a deeper enthusiasm for participating in and exploring the unique qualities of local life. Grounded in regional context, the design integrates a climate-responsive lifestyle framework, harmonizing the shop with its streetscape in both appearance and sensory experience.

Unlike traditional curated stores that focus solely on product display, this design prioritizes human interaction. Reflecting Shaoxing’s slow-paced lifestyle, the store introduces a leisure zone at its entrance, offering light refreshments. Outdoor seating further extends this concept, providing the community with a welcoming space for rest and conversation.

 

 

Local Materials

Located in Shaoxing’s Keqiao district, the heart of China Textile City, the store leverages local textile resources for its design. Walls are adorned with fabric panels sourced from nearby markets, replacing conventional materials to imbue the space with a sense of place. Irregularly arranged columns inside the space serve as key supports for the second floor. To integrate these visually dominant steel columns into the overall design, they are wrapped with softer wooden finishes. Inspired by the verdant street trees outside, the spatial arrangement mimics the layout of a forest. Artistic detailing with varying line diameters around the core creates a fluid, walkable environment that blurs the boundaries between indoors and outdoors.

 

Gradients of privacy

The design aim for this project is introducing traditional Japanese design elements combined with Greek materiality, creating a space that offers beauty treatments and Japanese head massages. The project is part of a larger architectural urban Spa trilogy operated by “The Baths Experience”.

 

Spatial Organization

The project is located in the basement floor of a listed building in the center of Athens. The first organizational gesture was to open up the space, simplifying its access and creating a linear route through a main staircase. The area of the showers and the baths is positioned roughly in the center of the space, creating a high level of privacy -from the changing rooms to the communal showers to the more public nails treatment area. A series of fabric screens placed in strategic locations, create “gradients of privacy”, ensuring that each space can be flexibly opened up or closed off.

 

Materials & Decoration

The main bathing area is highlighted by a mixture of materials such as wood and stone, while the walls are rendered in plaster. Pedestals are positioned along one side of the room displaying traditional Japanese pottery. Directly connected to the spa area is the beauty treatment spaces featured in shades of brown and grey. The pedicure area is raised on a platform, while a backlit wall serves as a backdrop to the overall space.

The shop is located on the ground floor, where the extensive as well as sophisticated use of wood and stone in the space emphasizes the spiritual and calming effect that natural materials have. Similarly to the communal baths, the shop becomes a space of assembly for clients to experience new aromas and tastes. The central wooden table acts as a gathering area, where customers are offered tea and are given an exclusive overview of the products.

 

Method of Construction

Emphasis is also given to the construction method and joinery. More specifically, traditional Japanese carpentry uses very few nails, if any. In the spirit of honoring this, the construction of the divider/display follows this technique, using nails and screws only for securing the furniture to the floor and the walls.

Exclusive viewing

The VIP Boxes at the Panathinaikos basketball court in OAKA are exclusive spaces designed for enjoying games and events, as well as hosting meetings.

 

Functional Organization

The space features fully equipped suites with a range of amenities and facilities, granting exclusive access to premium services and designated areas within the stadium. A total of sixteen VIP Boxes encircle the stadium, providing unobstructed views and seamless connectivity to the event while ensuring privacy.

The VIP Boxes are available in three types, distinguished by their size and capacity: Type A accommodates eight people, Type B accommodates ten, and Type C accommodates twelve. Each box is outfitted with a cloakroom, a private restroom, a buffet area, and a kitchenette. The kitchenette includes a small sink and minibar, cleverly integrated into a hinged structure with pocket doors for added convenience and elegance.

 

Amenities & Furniture

The Boxes are fitted with cutting-edge video and audio systems, ensuring an immersive experience for visitors and enabling the playback of highlights from each game or event. The interiors are thoughtfully designed with modern furnishings, including a central seating area featuring a luxurious leather sofa set. Complementing this layout is a stylish marble and leather table that doubles as additional seating. Furthermore, a bar counter with stools is strategically positioned to offer an unobstructed view of the court, enhancing the overall experience.

 

Exterior Design & Materials

The view is enhanced by a retractable glass façade that seamlessly connects the interior with the exterior, creating a sense of continuity with the stadium. On the outside, seating is arranged to offer full visibility of the court, situated in a defined perimeter area that ensures privacy from the surrounding stands. The box area is adorned with high-end materials like marble and wood, and decorated with elements that reflect the Panathinaikos brand, including green accents on the walls and surfaces, as well as basketball memorabilia.

Colourful poles

The project establishes a L’Oréal training center, featuring courses and seminars, within an existing company building. Positioned amidst offices, the training center shapes the building’s outward identity. This transformation turns the space into a dynamic tool for showcasing the brand and its products to the professional community.

 

Spatial Organization

A core principle in organizing the floor plan was enabling parallel activities. The design aim for the different halls was to make them operative both individually as well as together to support diverse functions. To achieve this, the layout incorporated fluid boundaries, preserving continuity while adding flexible partitions. Each space was designed to align closely with its intended function, fostering connections between knowledge transmitters, direct participants, and remote observers.

 

Exterior Shell

The building itself serves as a backdrop -a luminous container enabling the activities within. It provides a bright, inspiring environment for knowledge. The training center features classrooms and seminar rooms equipped for both theoretical and practical learning. A meeting room, visually connected to the reception area through glass partitions, maintains openness while defining space. At the rear of a longitudinal zone, an open-plan presentation room is set apart from the rest of the center by a flexible solid wall. Additionally, an internal atrium, linking the rooms through strategic openings, introduces natural light and incorporates a subtle touch of greenery, enhancing the atmosphere.

 

Company Brand

The color palette, defined by a minimalist aesthetic, centers on a dynamic interplay of white and black. The bright white surfaces of the walls and floors contrast with the deep black tones of the furniture and frames, creating a striking and harmonious tension that enhances the overall composition. In the entrance area, a bold black feature with modern lines emphasizes the juxtaposition of light and dark elements.

The design process aimed to not only complement but also highlight the diverse qualities of the commercial spaces. Functionality, balanced proportions, carefully selected materials, and cohesive aesthetics all come together to reflect the company’s identity.

Subtle prisms

The project is a new flagship store for renowned jeweller, Nikos Koulis, located on the prestigious Voukourestiou Street in Athens. The store’s design takes its inspiration from the city and melds it with the intricate craftsmanship of Koulis’ jewellery pieces.

 

Façade Design

The design of this atmospheric space begins streetside, taking the simple facade of the 1960’s building and subverting the language of a typically over-glazed storefront. An irregularly shaped window is installed, which offers subtle glimpses of the interior -creating intrigue for passersby and inviting them to pause and look within the interior.

Surrounding this opening, the facade mimics the proportions of the nearby Athenian city walls and reproduces them in aluminium. At points, the aluminium is embossed with a pattern reminiscent of the intricate detailing found on 19th century jewellery boxes. Where the aluminium meets the street, the material shifts to solid slabs of travertine and marble, framing the window and merging the contemporary with the ancient -a nod to the Greek roots of the brand and the designer, echoing a sense of history and continuity. The store’s extruded aluminium door handle is folded and inlaid with gold -alluding to the precious materials within.

 

Interior Layout & Custom Structures

Within the interior, the design draws influence from the designer’s structured jewellery pieces -establishing an interplay between light and dark tones and smooth and textural surfaces. Silk wall coverings provide a soft sensuous finish to reflect the light and contrast strongly with the custom dark oak floor made from narrow linear planks brushed to give texture. At the rear of the store, a dramatic new staircase, hidden behind a series of bevelled glass panels, takes private clients up to a new mezzanine housing the high jewellery salon and viewing room. The staircase extends across the width of the store, leaving a theatrical double-height void between the threshold and the mezzanine itself.

The main mezzanine wall, which sits almost as an internal facade, is formed from a series of elongated prisms. The prisms consist of two highly polished metal surfaces and a third illuminated surface. Spaced to form a linear screen between the more private mezzanine area and the store beneath, the prisms wrap around the underside of the space to connect the two environments.

 

Materials & Furniture

Within the mezzanine space, the palette is pale and bright, with white carpet and soft furnishings that foster relaxation. From the street, these prisms and their light sources are seen through the stone-framed window, appearing as an illuminated curtain, creating a sense of mystery about what lies beyond it.

Preserving the bespoke nature and the imaginative essence of the brand, the store incorporates custom pieces produced with the specific needs of the client and space in mind, including a tea table, a desk mirror as well as a wall hung mirror by Nikos Koulis. Display cases are formed from lacquered wooden boxes set on delicate legs made from a mix of polished and matt metals. These cases are positioned in vertical and horizontal arrangements and placed carefully around the store. At the rear, a lacquered cabinet wraps a structural column, whilst in the store front the largest piece of cabinetry forms the window display.

Expressive atmosphere

The project redefines the concept of fitness through an Avant-garde approach inspired by W. Kandinsky, becoming an expression of art, style and environmental commitment.

 

Design Influences

The gym’s design redefines the fitness experience, offering an environment where every detail is carefully planned to provide a unique journey to physical and mental well-being. Since it’s conception, the fundamental premise has been to design spaces that not only provide the best conditions for fitness, but also imbue an atmosphere characterized by the beauty of art, invoking other cultural areas that contribute significantly to the physical as well as mental well-being of its users.

 

Material Atmosphere

Art is placed at the center of the experience, becoming integrated to the space along with spatial comfort, environmental concern and social responsibility. Each space is carefully developed to provide an exclusive design, using ecological materials with environmental responsibility. The choice of decorative compositions is strategically curated so that each area becomes an integral part of the overall narrative of the space.

 

Color Palette & Lighting

The material selection carefully compliments the concept of the composition. More specifically, the ceiling’s reinforced concrete is exposed, contrasting the white walls and dark wood flooring. The changing rooms are clad with small whitewashed square tiles, while a series of colorful benches add playful accents to the space. Finally, an array of lighting fixtures in various geometric shapes illuminate the main gym areas.

Cultural fusion

The project aim is to transform the gourmet area of a 1950s old, modernist mansion into a space for meetings and celebrations.

 

Cultural Influence

The primary inspiration for the design development was based on elements from the African culture during the colonial period. More specifically, Candomblé, an Afro-Brazilian religion, is one of the most expressive manifestations of African culture in Brazil that founded a strong cultural connection in the arts, cuisine, as well as other African traditions, which in turn, have heavily influenced the project’s design aesthetic.

 

Materials and Furniture

The materials are carefully selected, tying into the history of generations who lived in the land many years ago, and establishing a dialogue between contemporary and ancestral traditions. For example, the lounge area revolves around a key piece: an existing masonry sofa decorated with local works of art, while granitite was used for the counter and bar surfaces. Finally, kokedamas, a Japanese technique created to grow different types of plants in a sphere of moss suspended in the air, is used for decorating the exterior garden.

 

Colour Pallet

The colour palette is comprised of terracotta tones: a reddish-orange hue similar to clay brings a feeling of warmth, cosiness and connection with the earth, and refers to the organic and rustic textures of nature. The terracotta-coloured ceiling is inspired by the earth floor found in the Candomblé terreiros -places of worship for an Afro-Brazilian religion that has been practised in the territory for centuries.

Soft materiality

The design of the new space focuses on creating a warm and welcoming environment that exudes safety and tranquillity, offering a carefully crafted experience for every visitor.

 

Material Palette

The choice of materials is central to this goal, with wood being one of the main elements, combined with natural textures and neutral tones such as white and beige. This combination creates a balanced backdrop that promotes relaxation and comfort while maintaining a sense of cleanliness and elegance. The furnishings and layout have been thoughtfully arranged to ensure ergonomics and ease of use, while soft materials and gentle hues enhance the feeling of intimacy and care.

 

Layout Organisation

The interior layout ensures that visitors feel comfortable and safe throughout their visit. The examination rooms are designed to foster a sense of safety and protection, allowing visitors to feel calm and relaxed during their appointment. Soft materials and soothing tones contribute to this feeling.

 

Lighting Design

Special emphasis is placed on lighting, which shapes the atmosphere of the space. Soft, indirect lighting has been selected to create a gentle and welcoming environment, while natural light is maximized wherever possible. In areas with limited natural light, light fixtures in warm tones are used to enhance the cozy atmosphere. The combination of these elements creates a space where comfort, tranquillity, and aesthetics coexist harmoniously, providing a pleasant and human-centred experience for every visitor.

Illuminated geometries

The recently inaugurated lifestyle centre is a futuristic architectural landmark intended to revolutionise the Milan’s urban skyline. Its design is a tribute to sustainability and everyday life, featuring the highest urban planning standards and poised to become a focal point within the city.

 

Design Philosophy

The centre includes 210 stores that feature a unique selection of national and international brands. The complex is distinguished by its organic architectural shape, comprised of two circular buildings connected by a suspension bridge, and acts as a striking example of modern architecture. The interior showcases magnificent, expansive, seamlessly interconnected spaces made of an array of strategically configurated glass elements.

 

Lighting Design

Spaces are diverse and intricate, thus in need of different lighting requirements, which are addressed through a careful lighting design study by the Greek designer, Thomas Gravanis (Studio L+DG Lighting Architects). The lighting blends harmoniously with its surroundings, creating a welcoming and inviting atmosphere. Despite a number of challenges, such as mitigating light pollution and glare, the result offers comfort and high-quality lighting that accentuates the distinctive architecture of the centre. Additionally, by developing tailored lighting solutions, the building follows bioclimatic and energy-efficient design principles. Finally, the façades have been illuminated to enhance the visual experience for both pedestrians and motorists.

 

Sustainability Approach

The architecture seamlessly integrates advanced technology and sustainability. The main roof offers ample natural light while avoiding glare or overheating. The project successfully meets all the current challenges of sustainability with the use of eco-friendly materials and bioclimatic solutions. An 8,500m2 dome and the use of 4,500m3 of laminated timber contribute towards reducing the building’s environmental impact by absorbing the equivalent of 8 years of CO₂emissions. With over 5,000m2 of indoor and outdoor green space, the lifestyle centre becomes an urban oasis, situated at the heart of Milan.

Horizontal gatherings

Located in Sharq, Kuwait, this project represents the idea of a multifunctional canopy, that simultaneously acts as an urban installation for the heart of the city center.

 

Building Program

The mixed-use building stands as a new landmark and a prominent place for gathering, hosting several communal events throughout the day, while at the same time, acting as a drive-in restaurant and outdoor esplanade. The roof is a playful contemplation area that features a playground and dining area with breathtaking views of the city, through series of carefully curated architectural elements such as stands and slides. In parallel, the space is also used as an outdoor theatre or cinema. Finally, the first floor includes an indoor restaurant and all the service areas.

 

 

Construction Philosophy

The most prominent element is a red spiral staircase that connects the three floors as well as all interior and exterior spaces. The construction philosophy is based on using raw, natural materials combined with intricate assembly techniques in order to create spaces as well as furniture that are both functional as well as optimally constructed.

Material Palette

The canopy-façade is made of a metallic mesh painted white, while the roof, floors and interior ceilings are painted in red, thus creating a horizontal contrast. In parallel, glossy ceramic tiles are used to clad specific parts of the interior walls. Finally, an array of strategically placed openings offers cross ventilation, natural light and accessibility to the overall space.

 

Golden accents

Located in the bustling coastal city of Wenzhou in the southeast of China, known for its mild subtropical climate, Xiaoshi (小十) restaurant draws on the local environment, creating a heightened, aesthetically refined dining atmosphere for its guests.

 

Design Philosophy

Inspired by Chinese classical aesthetics, the project combines the operational requirements of a restaurant with the existing site conditions to create an upscale dining experience on the upper level of a centrally located mall. The restaurant exterior is designed as a stage for visitors, becoming an intermediary space between the cozy interior and the mall, creating a heightened sense of transition and anticipation that ultimately allows for a more private dining experience. The curved “landscape” incorporates a series of bamboo stalks and a raised stone walkway which references a traditional Japanese garden. Overhead, a series of curved panels catch the light from above, while also acting as signage for the restaurant. A narrow hallway guides the visitor from the entrance through to a large, rectangular space that acts as the main dining hall. A series of double-height windows run along the north wall, separated by deep, vertical panels which filter the natural light and introduce a striking scale and rhythm to the space.

 

Interior Façade & Lighting

The main wall is clad in dark, customly designed panels that feature translucent timber illuminated by led lights, breaking up the open-plan space into intimate dining corners and introducing visual variation. The circulation area sits on a different level from the main dining room, lined with glowing led lights, providing clear spatial definition and graphic visual flair. Linear hidden lighting is carried through along the edge of the ceiling, echoing the lights below and providing an aesthetic consistency as well as a sense of spatial depth.

 

Material Palette & Furniture

A dark color palette is chosen, featuring materials such as dark wall panels, hardwood flooring and golden accents. The furniture is custom designed, inspired by traditional Japanese craftmanship. Finally, a collection of objects and artefacts such as antique vases and handmade ceramics complete the space.

Curved displays

The newly renovated fashion headquarters stands as a testament to the transformative power of design. Guided by the enduring principles of Ancient Greek architecture, the project pushes the boundaries of typical fashion retail design, introducing a new architectural language to the Greek design landscape.

 

Architectural Approach

This design breathes new life into a previously utilitarian building with an unremarkable internal space of 1500m2 that spans across two levels. The existing labyrinth of rooms was demolished, retaining only the metal columns within the showrooms. The entryway serves as the starting point, with a collection of design elements including a striking curved concrete wall seamlessly integrating with a reception desk. This bold design choice defines the space, creating a captivating first impression of the brand identity. The fluid forms are the most striking design element of the space, where curves serve as a powerful visual language to evoke a sense of organic movement, subtly referencing the unique geometry and attention to detail necessary during the fashion design process. Moreover, they act as guides, defining pathways and distinct zones and encouraging visitors to navigate the space and discover different areas.

 

Functional Organisation

The brief called for an open-plan workspace with a layout that incorporates various functionalities between the floors. The ground floor embraces flowing lines, integrating several office areas with a welcoming lobby and kitchen. Soft curves subtly define two showrooms, offering a distinct space for product display. The first-floor houses additional office spaces and essential service areas. The open concept extends upwards through a thoughtfully designed staircase that visually unifies the space.

 

Material Palette

Continuous cement surfaces on walls and floors provide a uniform backdrop with less visual clutter allowing the carefully curated furniture to take centre stage. The colour palette throughout the project leans heavily on earthy tones, which complements the modern aesthetic and creates a sense of grounding and connection, respecting tradition whilst also embracing a modern approach. The metal columns remain exposed within the showrooms; this juxtaposition between raw and refined elements creates a dynamic tension, further enriching the visual narrative.

 

Lighting Design

Lighting plays a crucial role, where strategically placed lights illuminate specific areas, highlighting the captivating curves of the walls and drawing attention to the recurring elements. Track lighting and pendant lights illuminate theproducts effectively and become decorative ceiling elements, striking a perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics and resulting in a project that transcends the boundaries of conventional design.

Serene atmosphere

The project’s design is based on the red bricks of Chiang Mai’s ancient city wall, Lanna, as well as an array of water features and vegetation that echo the area’s tropical scenery.

 

Design Aesthetic

Chiang Mai is the origin of Thai ancient massage and spa, thus becoming the overall inspiration for the design aesthetic. The space is dominated by earthly tones, where natural materials such as red bricks, thin rock slabs, terrazzo, red fabrics and red antique tiles are all blended in the same colour palette, paying homage to the ancient city of Lanna.

Additionally, a variety of herbs and utensils, rattan furniture and screen partitions, Chiang Mai’s local wood carvings, linen-dyed hanging curtains as well as water lamps and tropical plans contribute to the peaceful and scenic atmosphere.

 

Functional Layout

The entrance serves as a waiting area, completely isolated from the noisy sounds of the outdoor street, leading to a lounge and seating space with an impressive view towards the city. In parallel, a footpath leads to a courtyard complimented by water elements and tropical plants, transforming it into a timeless, ancient garden. The ground floor also includes a pool made of red brick, further separating the serene interior from the bustling streets as well as a massage room and spa separated from the rest of the space through heavy curtains. Finally, a small staircase leads to the outdoor terrace, where visitors can enjoy the breathtaking views of the city.

 

Custom Structures

A series of custom structures such as transparent glass, mirrors, heavy-curtains and semi-blinds as well as the different textures used for the flooring and the soft artificial lighting deliberately create sensory illusions, providing a sense of privacy and security, encouraging visitors to lose themselves in the environment and focus on a journey of introspection.

Into the ground

Located at the eastern edge of the Texas Hill Country along a secluded bend of the Blanco River, this private wine cave serves as a unique destination for wine enthusiasts.

 

Structural Integrity

Excavated into the north face of a solid limestone hillside, this lined “tube” is protected on the east and west by tall oak and elm trees, allowing it to seamlessly disappear within the native landscape, while heavy limestone boulders, collected from the excavation, and lush vegetation further camouflage the entry.

A tasting lounge, bar, wine cellar, and restroom are all tucked into a 45cm tall by 178cm deep tunnel. A door made of concrete boards leads to the interior of the cave and attaches to the irregular surfaces of the limestone, while structurally retaining the artificial opening. The concrete erodes naturally over time as native moss and ivy climbs onto the flanking limestone walls to further blend the entrance with its surroundings.

 

Material Palette

Once inside, white oak clads the walls and ceilings, acting as a warm contrast to the more rugged concrete and stone surfaces. Custom, thermally insulated windows separate the interior and exterior along with the entertainment lounge and cellar. Reclaimed cedar was salvaged and used for the countertop surfaces and restroom vanities, while all wood components are deliberately kept away from the existing cave walls so that the room remains adaptable.

 

Thermal Insulation

The private cellar is surrounded by casework providing storage for an ever-expanding private collection of +/-4,000 bottles. This space is thermally controlled by the naturally colder subterranean temperatures as well as supplemental cooling to help maintain an optimal atmosphere of 12-15 degrees Celsius.

Central island

Located in downtown Oakland, the project reflects the second generation of Bay Area brand, Mr. Espresso, serving as an example of how a diverse cultural landscape can heavily nourish a community’s heritage identity.

 

Functional Design

The design is inspired by Italian culture, using minimalism and contrast to create an experience similar to that of a traditional Italian caffe ritual. The espresso bar becomes the central feature of the space to accommodate the large number of people. It is designed as a central island, featuring a custom, elegant pastry display, reminiscent of a jewelry shop.

 

Material Palette

The material selection is inspired by the Italian tradition, which is masterful at creating spaces with great complexity using minimal elements, thus leading to carefully choosing materials such as natural wood, stone and marble. The term “chiaroscuro” -the Italian notion of contrast- provides further inspiration. More specifically, hand polished copper contrasts with the organic nature of wood and stone and acts as a reflective backdrop for the espresso bar.

Architectural Sculpture

Above the bar, a lightweight, wooden sculptural form highlights the verticality of the space and defines the heavy, wooden island. The sculpture also serves as a gestural move, acting both as an object -a nod to the domes and arcades of the Renaissance and Baroque periods- as well as a spatial boundary that constructs an interplay between solid and void surfaces.

The sculpture is composed of 272 slats formed from a total of 528 pieces, all made of birch plywood, designed and laid out to minimize waste. An array of prototypes are made and tested, focusing primarily on the staining process, which is eventually achieved with Ethiopian Shantawene coffee.

Intermediate volumes

The project for the Ridotto (namely the Second Hall) of the Rossini Theater defines a contemporary environment that blends the abstract space of European performance theatre with the historical tradition of Italian opera.

 

Design Philosophy

The design is conceived as a theatre within a theatre, an ephemeral and reversible device that allows the perception of the traditional building paired with the presence of the urban scene. Alongside the grand historical hall, a new, dynamic and reconfigurable space is designed to accommodate performing arts, music, drama, dance, theatre as well as community and political events. The historic shell becomes reconfigured by removing the existing pillars and creating a second scenic space with great flexibility and accessibility that eradicates the distinction between the audience and the performer.

 

Existing Facade

The Sala della Repubblica has been redesigned to bear witness to and reinterpret the evolutionary history of this portion of the building. This begins by highlighting the original 18th-century facade, later incorporated into the theater. In parts where that facade has been demolished, large walls cladded in golden panels serve as a tribute to the baroque theatre’s design, while simultaneously concealing electrical and mechanical systems.

 

Materials & Custom Structures

The project’s most distinct design element, however, is a sliding system of double-layered fabric walls along a track suspended from the ceiling that allows for ever-changing configurations throughout the space. The curtains can move in any direction offering visual as well as acoustic privacy when needed. The enclosed space, when fully open, can accommodate 150 people. The floor is made of pine wood painted in black and supported on a timber frame, forming a unified surface upon which any distinction between the audience and the performance is eliminated.

Experiential display

The showroom is located in a shopping center dedicated to building supplies and materials, within the city’s vibrant commercial area. The project aim is to create a carefully curated space in which the client’s products are showcased.

 

Design Philosophy

A key inspiration that guided the architectural design was the paintings of Russian artist Kazimir Malevich, particularly Black Square (1915) and Suprematist Composition (1916). The minimal albeit lively colors, shapes and patterns of Malevich’s works became the conceptual starting point for the functional organization as well as the materials used within the space. Pieces of yellow, red and green were overlaid onto the initial plan, eventually constructing a series of interconnected rooms of varying scales and a fluid circulation area.

 

Spatial Organization

The space is comprised of five primary zones: the entrance, the brand history room, the product display, a meeting room and an interactive space. An impressively lit stage is immediately visible from the entrance, featuring several objects such as a traditional wooden chair as well as an orthogonal aperture sheltered by a green metal canopy. A red cantilevered countertop visually connects the opening to a multi-use work area.

The hallway is partially illuminated by a strip of low, floor-level windows and acts as a circulation space that simultaneously accommodates a number of installations which introduce the brand’s daily paint and construction materials. On the other side of the hallway, a brightly painted yellow window provides an uninterrupted view into the lounge room. Venturing further into the main exhibition area, visitors encounter a tall white curtain, hung from a circular track and playfully painted in vivid colors that displays the company’s products in the most “untypical” way possible.

 

Experiential design

The interactive area includes an array of paintbrushes dipped in different types of paint and fixed to the wall, acting as an additional exhibition display. Visitors are encouraged to try the products themselves on the blank, white canvases present within the space, promoting the company’s product placement regarding the durability and effect of the paints. The design draws inspiration from the local culture as well as the distinctive style of the Russian painter and transforms a conventional product showroom into a truly imaginative experience.

Sharp lines

The project is located in the heart of the Podil, on the first floor of the Bursa Hotel, in the historic centre of Kyiv, featuring a small, yet cozy music bar that attracts vinyl record enthusiasts and live-set lovers, becoming a hub for musicians and vinyl collectors from around the world.

 

Spatial Zoning

The space features simple and functional zoning: near the entrance, there’s a DJ booth and a vinyl collection showcase, the central space acts as a dance floor and finally, two bar counters are situated on either side of the space. The design includes eastern style features such as sharp lines, clean shapes as well as horizontal and vertical rhythms.

 

Lighting and Acoustic Design

Lighting plays a crucial role in creating this specific spatial atmosphere. A series of accent spots are used to illuminate the seating areas, while soft, linear lighting is used for the vinyl shelves and drink displays. Special emphasis is also placed in acoustic design, considering the hotel rooms located above the bar. The walls are cladded with thick plywood, while the ceiling’s overall height is lowered, becoming the supporting structure for all the light fixtures and ventilation system.

 

Materials & Aesthetics

The design follows the aesthetics of contemporary Japanese culture. The primary material used is dark plywood, which serves as the basis for the walls, the ceiling, which is also decorated with latticework, and furniture. Additionally, stainless steel is used for the countertops, the windows and chairs. Most of the decoration and furniture elements are custom-made by Ukrainian craftsmen.

Fluid routes

The studio is founded by a professional ballet dancer, Mariia Dreihaupt, who became a prominent inspirational figure during the project’s conceptual stage.

 

Design Philosophy

The interior layout was reconfigured to create a fluid, elegant space, by rounding up the sharp corners and using curtains as dividers. A central corridor leads to the changing rooms and showers, which are cladded with small mosaic tiles, drawing inspiration form public bathrooms with modernist aesthetics. At the heart of the studio, an open room is used to hosts yoga classes, accommodating up to 15 people. A flexible and discrete lighting system as well as large mirrors along the walls, create an “aethereal” and harmonious atmosphere.

 

Construction Initiatives

During construction, the primary aim was to source local materials as well as reuse existing ones found throughout the city, placing emphasis on the project’s environmental impact and sustainability. A series of custom furniture were carefully crafted, based on meticulously drawn blueprints and diagrams, such as a bespoke, curved sofa at the center of the reception as well as minimal wooden lockers, complimented by elaborate graphic key tags and numbers.

 

Materials & Textures

A 1970s Gobelin fabric, sourced second-hand from an old fabric manufacturer, became the material protagonist of the design. In parallel, heavyweight materials such as stone, sourced from a local warehouse, and concrete were used to construct a series of small tables as well as the reception furniture piece. Finally, the walls are painted in off-white tones and the floor is cladded with gray microcement, thus creating a minimal and soft aesthetic.

Colourful pockets

The project aim is to combine the Cycladic Island beauty with the modern aura of Athens, creating a contemporary Greek identity.

 

Layout organization

The ground floor features an open-plan design, fostering an environment for collaboration and communication amongst employees. A series of sinks and manicure benches occupy the walls. On the first floor, the hair salon takes center stage. This area is dedicated to a wide range of hair care services, providing clients with a tranquil and stylish environment where they can enjoy personalized treatments. The distinct separation between the two floors allows each space to specialize in different aspects of beauty and wellness.

 

Colour Palette

White tones are contrasted with dark elements such as a wooden pergola and benches. The walls are clad with colorful mosaic tiles and the floors are made of polished, white marble, exuding a sense of tranquility and elegance. Α series of walls are painted with colorful geometric shapes, which along with custom-made furniture in vivid blue shades, become accent features.

 

Custom Elements

To serve the functional needs of the space, custom-made storage units are constructed, creating a flexible and interactive workflow. One of the most innovative elements is the manicure bench, which includes sinks to promote practicality and allow manicurists to perform their tasks seamlessly without having to move to different stations.

Home aesthetic

The design direction of this pie bakery dine-in café follows the sense of a home-like aesthetic. It serves as a tribute to the co-founder’s residence, which was the original space in which the pies were made.

 

Façade Design

The façade was completely remodeled, seamlessly incorporating the existing nooks and openings to create a cohesive and inviting exterior. A distinctive feature is the creation of an exterior “pocket” next to the entrance, which adds a unique architectural element and enhances the welcoming atmosphere. This thoughtful design invites guests to step inside and experience a sense of warmth and hospitality.

 

Interior Layout

Inside, the space is organized into various seating zones: the living area provides a relaxed environment with comfortable sofas and armchairs, the dining area, with its elegant tables and chairs, caters to those who prefer a more formal setting for enjoying their pies and finally, the lounge area, featuring an array of bespoke and cozy furniture, offers a tranquil space for guests to unwind and savor their desserts in a more intimate setting.

 

Material Selection

The color palette uses off-white tones and soft textures completed with dark wood accents. Soft lighting, warm colors, and thoughtful decor elements turn every corner into an inviting and cozy space, suited for enjoying a gustatory experience.

Colorful shell

The inspiration for the design of this new restaurant is the concept of the Japanese Izakaya “standing sake shop” delivering a space that encapsulates the essence of this experience.

 

Circulation Space

Upon entering, visitors are encouraged to make their first stop at the bar. Following a circular route, they can observe the preparation of cold dishes, the activity in the open kitchen, as well as the making of hot dishes on the robata. The goal is to create a sense of participation in a workshop focused on mixing drinks and experiencing Japanese flavors. To achieve this, minimal, clean materials commonly found in a workshop space -stainless steel for the work surfaces and Corian for the seating counters- are used.

 

Material Selection

The choice of white on the counters and tables creates a backdrop for the strictly geometric and well-arranged dishes, which vary in colour and shape, creating an interesting sight for the visitor, who is on the same level as the chef, watching the food preparation process. The most dominant element is the circular staircase clad in glass blocks to create a luminous cylinder that connects the basement to the loft. Glass blocks are also used on the wall that separates the hall from the kitchen, creating a translucent divider through which movement becomes visible.

 

Lighting Design

Particular attention was placed on the lighting design. Beam spots were used for the bar and food surfaces. Apart from the eccentric staircase and the lighting on the ikebana compositions featured on the interior façade, the rest of the space is discretely illuminated, amplifying the restaurant’s relaxed atmosphere.

Contrasting materialities

The Bella Gamma transport station, an iconic building constructed in 1910, is situated on the city’s waterfront at the junction of Othonos-Amalias and Gerokostopoulou streets. After 123 years, the building is renovated, retaining its original function, and serving as the new transport center for the Kaimakas company.

 

Exterior Shell

During the renovation, the neoclassical character of the building is preserved, with minimal interventions made to revive and highlight the original structure. The additional decorative and structural elements such as signage and other alterations visible on the facades of the building are removed. The distinctive metal canopy is retained and clad in glass, allowing plenty of natural light into the interior, while at the same time acting as a reference to the station’s original canopy. New signage is discreetly placed on both sides of the building, promoting the corporate identity without obscuring the building’s existing architecture.

 

Interior Organization

The spatial organization addresses the two primary needs of the company. The part that is directly associated with the main street is used for the main loading and unloading of large parcels. Consequently, the design focuses on the complete restoration of the primary structure, creating a purely functional space. Existing partitions and decorative elements are removed, exposing the space’s double height, while conserving the timber roof. An additional small loft is used for surveillance of the transportation process.

The second part of the building, accessed from Gerokostopoulou Street, is designed to accommodate the company’s additional services and utility rooms. This existing section was partially submerged into the ground, resulting in low ceilings and insufficient natural lighting. To address this, a large portion of the loft was removed, creating a double-height space enhanced by natural light entering from an existing skylight on the roof. The remaining part of the loft is planned as a break-out area, featuring a kitchen and dining space for employees.

 

Material Palette

The varied materiality of the project is a defining feature of the overall design. Specifically, the historical building is aesthetically divided into three distinct parts: a refined exterior shell, a “raw” interior section where past deterioration and original materials are preserved as well as a second part that is clean, contemporary, and uniformly colored in the tones of the company’s brand identity, clearly separating the two interiors.

Balancing materiality

The project aim is the renovation of a hair salon with over 60 years of history and roots from Alexandria, Egypt. The business was recently taken over by the third-generation owners, who wanted to modernize the space and infuse it with their own unique aesthetic touch.

 

Design Philosophy

The aim of the architectural design is to renew the commercial space, while maintaining the identity of the business and create a modern as well as familiar space. During construction, the existing curved false ceiling was simplified and retained, harmoniously becoming integrated with the minimal design of the new architectural solution.

 

Material Selection

Metallic inox elements and glass were replaced by warm wood tones, creating an intriguing contrast with the black metallic details. Additionally, the white walls provide an ideal background for highlighting the various hair products. Finally, the reception furniture is clad with green Tinos marble, adding a subtle luxury to the space and becoming a reference to the old “aristocratic” Athens.

 

Lighting Design

Particular emphasis was placed on the interior lighting, tailored to meet the demands of a professional hair salon, while at the same time creating a relaxing environment for the customers. Linear lighting fixtures and warm-coloured LED strips are chosen for the general lighting, while hidden LED strips are installed in the reception furniture as well as on the display shelves to highlight the array of products.