At the Hyades Mountain Resort in Trikala Korinthias, Tenon Architecture transforms an existing space into a hospitality interior organized around a continuous timber structure.

Completed in 2020, The Wooden Cave combines algorithmic design with manual construction. Its spatial identity emerges from the contrast between a curved wooden interior and a darker stone perimeter.

Two distinct spatial zones

The plan is divided into two main zones. At its centre, a continuous curved structure organizes the principal space. Around it, secondary areas face the surrounding landscape and are finished in dark local stone.

The contrast between the two materials establishes a clear spatial hierarchy. The stone perimeter forms a heavier outer layer. By contrast, the timber structure creates a softer internal enclosure. Its geometry refers to the idea of the cave as a protected interior without literally reproducing a natural form.

Two sleeping areas are integrated directly into the wooden structure. An open-plan kitchen occupies the same central zone. Meanwhile, the perimeter accommodates the entrance, a sitting area with a fireplace and the bathroom.

As a result, furniture, surfaces and spatial divisions are treated as parts of a single architectural system rather than as separate additions.

Timber and environmental performance

Material selection plays a central role in the project. The curved structure is constructed from sawn spruce timber. By contrast, the kitchen, cupboards, flooring and other built-in elements use knot-free pine plywood. Dark local stone defines the secondary spaces.

The timber construction does not touch the existing concrete shell directly. Instead, a gap between the two allows air to circulate continuously. This protects the wood while also using its natural properties to help regulate indoor humidity and temperature.

Such passive regulation is particularly relevant to the mountainous location. Trikala Korinthias experiences considerable temperature variations throughout the year. Therefore, the construction detail contributes both to the durability of the timber and to the environmental performance of the interior.

From algorithm to handcraft

The curved structure consists of 1,112 individually shaped timber elements. The geometry of each piece was generated algorithmically and then transferred to the construction site.

However, no digital fabrication machinery was used in their production. The individual elements were processed manually and organized into 55 larger modules. Each unit was then carved and adjusted by hand before final assembly.

The construction was undertaken by Tenon Architecture founders Apostolos Mitropoulos and Thanos Zervos themselves. The timber structure was completed without external carpenters or specialist fabrication teams.

Consequently, one of the main challenges was translating digitally generated drawings into clear instructions for manual woodworking. The final result brings the two methods together. Algorithmic logic determines the geometry, while handcraft gives the structure its final form and texture.

Through this approach, construction becomes an extension of the design process. Spatial organization, material performance and fabrication are integrated into a single interior system.

Elastic has received three distinctions at the AHEAD Americas 2026 Awards for the extensive redesign of Delano Miami Beach, marking a significant international recognition for the architecture and design studio within the hospitality sector.

The project was awarded in the Hotel Renovation and Lobby categories, while the redesigned Rose Bar received the award for Bar, Club or Lounge.

Reworking an established hospitality identity

Originally opened in 1947, Delano Miami Beach became an international hospitality reference point following its transformation in 1995. Its latest renovation addresses a property with an established architectural identity and a strong association with the cultural history of Miami Beach.

Elastic’s approach is based on retaining recognizable elements of the hotel while introducing a contemporary layer across its public areas, guestrooms and social spaces. Bespoke furniture, sculptural elements and artworks are integrated throughout the interiors, while the guestrooms are conceived as quieter spaces focused on privacy and retreat.

The Rose Bar, one of the hotel’s best-known spaces, has also been reinterpreted as part of the wider redesign. Its separate recognition at the AHEAD Americas Awards highlights the role of food, beverage and social spaces within the overall repositioning of the property.

International hospitality portfolio

The Delano Miami Beach project extends Elastic’s work within the international hospitality market. Founded by Ria Xenou and Alexandros Xenos, the studio’s portfolio includes collaborations with hospitality brands including Aman, One&Only, Rosewood, Four Seasons, Delano, Nobu and Nammos, with projects across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.

The hotel is owned by Cain International and operated by Ennismore. The three AHEAD Americas distinctions add to Elastic’s international track record and highlight the increasing geographical reach of a practice whose work combines architecture, interior design and the design of hospitality experiences.

Opposite the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch, a hotel in central Athens uses vertical façade elements, framed balconies, marble, oak and integrated greenery to establish a contemporary dialogue with the city’s classical context.

Anthology of Athens by Elastic Architects is located in the historic centre of Athens, in direct visual dialogue with the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch. The design draws on the city’s classical references without reproducing them literally, translating proportion, verticality, materiality and views into a contemporary architectural language.

The concept also takes inspiration from the myth of Deucalion, in which stones thrown upon the earth become human beings. This relationship between matter and transformation becomes a recurring theme throughout the building, from the rhythm of the façade to the tactile treatment of the interiors.

A façade structured by proportion

The main elevation is organized through new balconies and a system of vertical elements that give the façade its principal rhythm.

Their spacing follows proportional relationships based on the golden section, establishing a clear grid across the elevation. These elements perform both functional and compositional roles, framing the balconies while controlling the visual relationship between the guestrooms and the surrounding city.

Rather than directly imitating classical columns, the vertical members abstract their linearity and rhythm. The reference to the nearby Temple of Olympian Zeus therefore operates through proportion and repetition rather than ornament.

Framing the Athenian landscape

The façade functions as a series of filters between interior space and the urban landscape.

The projecting balconies create depth and shade, while their vertical frames structure views towards the archaeological monuments and the wider city. From the upper levels, these openings become architectural devices for observing rather than simply overlooking Athens.

Light and shadow continuously alter the perception of the elevation. The vertical elements cast changing patterns across the balconies, reinforcing the depth of the façade and giving the building a different appearance throughout the day.

The architecture is therefore shaped not only by its physical form, but also by the changing relationship between material, daylight and view.

Classical references through abstraction

The project interprets its historical surroundings through contemporary geometry.

The rhythm of ancient colonnades is translated into slender vertical forms, while the orthogonal organization of the façade provides a controlled framework for the different openings and balconies.

This grid also influences the organization of the interiors, extending the logic of the exterior into the spatial structure of the hotel. The reference remains abstract: the design does not reproduce classical motifs, but reworks principles of proportion, repetition and structural rhythm.

A more expressive interior

Inside, the architectural language becomes more tactile and expressive.

Marble, oak, glass and textured plaster create a layered material environment, while integrated planting introduces a contrasting natural element. The interplay between mineral, timber and planted surfaces gives the communal spaces greater depth without departing from the restrained palette established by the architecture.

The use of natural materials connects different areas of the hotel while allowing changes in texture to distinguish individual spaces.

Curved elements appear alongside the more orthogonal geometry of the building, introducing a softer counterpoint within circulation areas and shared interiors.

Marble, oak and textured surfaces

Materiality becomes particularly important in the guestrooms and communal areas.

Marble provides the principal mineral surface, while oak introduces warmth and a finer texture. Glass with decorative treatment and fluted plaster add further variation, creating different responses to natural and artificial light.

The colour palette remains controlled, with off-white, beige and earth tones extending across both interior and exterior surfaces. These restrained colours reinforce continuity between materials and allow the architectural elements, vegetation and views to remain visually prominent.

Architecture as a filter of views

Anthology of Athens uses its position within the historic centre as a central component of the design.

The façade mediates between the intimacy of the guestrooms and the monumental scale of the surrounding city, while the interiors develop the same concept through changes in material, texture and light.

Elastic Architects translate classical references into proportion and rhythm rather than direct quotation. Vertical elements, framed balconies, marble surfaces and greenery establish a contemporary architectural identity whose relationship with Athens is defined primarily through what it frames, filters and reveals.

The project was first published in print in ek302 | November 2025.

The historic Electra Hotel on Ermou Street is comprehensively redesigned around the concept of urban rhythm, introducing four new room typologies, publicly accessible social spaces and a reworked ground-level façade connected directly with the pedestrian life of central Athens.

Electra Rhythm Athens by Mutiny Architects is the new incarnation of the historic Electra Hotel Athens at 5 Ermou Street. The project uses the notion of rhythm as the organizing concept for the architectural and interior design, translating the pace, repetition and movement of the city into spatial sequences, material choices and architectural details.

The redesign addresses the hotel as a whole, from guestrooms and shared interiors to the entrance and lower section of the façade. A central objective was to create new room typologies for contemporary travellers while opening parts of the building to the wider public through spaces for coffee, work, exercise and dining.

Four room typologies

The hotel contains 101 guestrooms, completely redesigned according to four principal types: Nest, Slow, Cozy and Active.

Each typology, together with its variations and suites, responds to different room sizes, patterns of use and requirements of individual guests. Despite these differences, a common architectural vocabulary gives the accommodation a coherent identity.

Timber and marbles associated with the Athenian urban landscape form the principal material palette. Curved forms appear in ceilings, lighting elements and selected architectural details, while repetition provides the most direct spatial expression of the overall concept.

Vertical members, horizontal planes and recurring architectural elements introduce rhythm at different scales within each room.

Opening the hotel to the city

Three principal spaces extend the programme beyond conventional hotel functions and are also accessible to the public.

Rebels Brew operates as a curated coffee shop and bar directly facing the Ermou pedestrian street. Collaborative Studios provide spaces for professional meetings and flexible work, while Focal, on the highest accessible level, functions as both the hotel restaurant and an independent bar-restaurant.

This mixture of hospitality and public uses establishes a more porous relationship between the hotel and the surrounding city.

The shared areas are not treated as isolated amenities for hotel guests, but as spaces that participate in the everyday activity of central Athens.

Reinterpreting the Athenian arcade

At ground level, reception, lounges, a library, kitchen facilities and Rebels Brew are organized in direct relationship with the principal circulation areas.

The redesign of the entrance draws on the Athenian arcade, a characteristic element of the city’s modern urban fabric. Rather than creating a sharply defined threshold, the entrance supports a more fluid transition from the Ermou pedestrian street into the hotel.

The concept of rhythm therefore extends beyond decorative repetition. It becomes part of the movement through the building, connecting the pace of the street with the organization of the internal spaces.

Work, exercise and hospitality

The first floor accommodates the Collaborative Studios together with the Electro Studio Gym.

Both programmes introduce uses that move beyond the traditional division between guestrooms and hotel amenities. The workspaces respond to hybrid modes of professional activity, while the gym adds another outward-facing programme within the building.

Guestrooms occupy the second through ninth floors. On the tenth floor, Focal forms the uppermost public destination of the hotel, with three terraces, two of them offering unobstructed views towards the Acropolis.

The programme consequently develops vertically from the most urban and publicly accessible functions at street level towards accommodation and, finally, the rooftop restaurant.

A new base for the existing façade

The main part of the existing façade, including the openings of the guestrooms facing Ermou Street, was retained.

The lower part, however, was completely redesigned to reinforce its relationship with the pedestrian street. A new olive-green zone extends across the ground and mezzanine levels, visually establishing a base for the composition.

Arches articulate this lower section, while an illuminated entrance canopy projects towards the street. Its geometry deliberately contrasts with the linear direction of the pedestrian route, marking the entrance while introducing a more dynamic element into the existing elevation.

The intervention therefore concentrates the most visible external transformation at the level where the hotel meets the city.

Rhythm as an architectural system

Across the guestrooms, shared spaces and façade, rhythm is interpreted through repetition, sequences, curved forms and movement.

Rather than applying the concept as a graphic theme, Mutiny Architects use it to connect different scales of the project: the vertical elements within the rooms, the circulation through communal areas, the reinterpretation of the arcade and the new architectural base facing Ermou Street.

Electra Rhythm Athens consequently transforms an established city hotel while retaining much of its existing urban presence. The new interventions focus on the relationship between hospitality and public life, extending the internal programme towards the rhythms of contemporary Athens.

The project was first published in print in ek302 | November 2025, in the CITY section.

A comprehensive redesign of Rocabella Mykonos reorganizes the hotel as a sequence of sheltered paths, cave-like spaces and planted terraces, using stone, timber and earth-toned surfaces to establish a coherent identity across the existing complex.

The redesign of Rocabella Mykonos by Eleftherios Ambatzis began in 2022 as a comprehensive transformation of a hotel complex originally developed from 2000 onwards. The intervention encompasses the reconstruction of its interior and exterior spaces, the addition of new rooms and functions, and the reorganization of uses within the existing building fabric.

The project takes its conceptual cue from the hotel’s name—Rocabella, meaning “beautiful rock” in Italian—and from the granite formation that originally dominated the site. Part of this rock was excavated during earlier construction, while fragments remain dispersed throughout the communal areas. The new design draws on this geological reference to create spaces that appear carved into the terrain.

A sequence carved into the landscape

The spatial organization develops as a network of paths, corridors and changing levels rather than as a single continuous hotel volume.

These routes connect spaces of different proportions, degrees of enclosure and levels of privacy. Their irregular sequence evokes a system of cavities within the rock, alternating between protected interiors and openings towards the landscape.

The circulation becomes part of the hospitality experience itself. Narrower passages expand into terraces and communal areas, while changes in level generate a gradual transition between more exposed and more protected zones.

This organization gives the existing complex a clearer identity without relying on a uniform architectural gesture across every part of the site.

Different rooms within a common language

The guestrooms are deliberately differentiated from one another, following the idea that each occupies a distinct cavity within the “beautiful rock”.

Their configurations vary according to orientation and position, yet all maintain a relationship with the exterior. The spaces remain protected from the strong sun and wind while opening towards views of the sea, Mykonos harbour, Delos and Rhenia.

Behind the white Cycladic exterior, the interiors shift towards a warmer and more tactile palette. Timber and stone are combined with earth-toned cement-based finishes that extend continuously across walls and other interior surfaces.

The repetition of these materials creates visual continuity between rooms and communal areas despite their varied spatial configurations.

Stone, timber and continuous surfaces

Material choices reinforce the relationship between the architecture and the rocky landscape.

Existing and newly introduced stone surfaces retain a direct, textured character, while timber provides a warmer counterpoint. A continuous cement-based finish in muted earth tones brings together walls and built-in elements, reducing visual fragmentation within the interior.

Rather than relying on decorative references to Cycladic architecture, the design establishes its identity through mass, texture, shade and a limited range of materials.

This quieter interior language contrasts with the bright white exterior envelope and strengthens the perception of the guestrooms and shared spaces as protected environments within the larger complex.

Rocabella Villa

Alongside the redesign of the existing guestrooms, the project introduces Rocabella Villa, a separate residence with a private swimming pool.

The villa remains connected to the communal facilities of the hotel while maintaining a greater degree of privacy and independence. Its inclusion expands the range of accommodation without detaching it from the architectural language of the rest of the complex.

The relationship between shared amenities and private retreat reflects the broader spatial strategy of Rocabella, where the degree of exposure, enclosure and interaction changes gradually across the site.

Planting as part of the redesign

The landscape intervention plays an important role in the overall transformation.

New planted roofs and additional landscaped areas are introduced around the hotel, while previously unused parts of the site are planted with native cacti. The vegetation reduces the visual presence of the built surfaces and reintroduces planted areas within the densely developed complex.

Planting is therefore treated as part of the architectural reorganization rather than simply as an ornamental layer.

Together with the white volumes, stone surfaces and fragmented circulation, it helps establish a closer visual relationship between the hotel and the dry Cycladic landscape.

A unified identity

The central objective of the redesign is the aesthetic unification of a complex that had undergone successive alterations since its original development.

Rather than treating each room, communal area or outdoor space as an independent intervention, the project introduces a common spatial and material vocabulary across the hotel.

The network of sheltered paths, cave-like interiors, planted areas and earth-toned materials also responds to the climatic conditions of Mykonos, creating areas protected from sun and wind while retaining visual contact with the surrounding landscape.

The result is a hospitality environment organized around a gradual alternation between enclosure and openness, communal activity and privacy, built surfaces and vegetation.

The project was first published in print in ek299 | July–August 2025, in the INTERIORS section. 

The renovation preserves the vaulted structure of existing summer residences in Oia, introducing precise functional changes, natural materials and selected colour accents.

The refurbished summer residences form part of a larger complex in the traditional settlement of Oia. Facing south, they overlook the volcano and the Caldera. Their existing shells are characteristic of the island’s more recent architectural heritage.

The intervention by Kapsimalis Architects focuses on the interiors. It preserves the original structure and spatial identity while adapting the residences to contemporary hospitality requirements.

Each unit includes a living area, bedroom and bathroom. The interiors extend into private courtyards with small pools and views towards the Aegean landscape.

Preserving the vaulted interiors

The principal objective was to retain and emphasize the existing vaulted forms. Domes, cross vaults and shallow concave ceilings give each residence its distinct spatial character.

Rather than concealing these elements, the redesign treats them as the starting point of the interior composition. New furniture and functional additions follow the existing geometry without competing with it.

The interventions remain deliberately limited. Small changes to fixed and movable furniture improve circulation, storage and everyday use while preserving the original proportions of the rooms.

Arched openings reinforce the continuity between adjoining spaces. Their rounded profiles repeat the geometry of the ceilings and allow the residences to be perceived as a sequence of connected vaulted chambers.

A restrained material palette

Smooth white plaster covers the walls and ceilings. Its continuous surface emphasizes the plasticity of the architecture and allows daylight to reveal the changing curvature of the interior.

Large slabs of light-grey marble define the floors. Their subtle tonal variations introduce depth without disturbing the visual unity of the rooms.

Built-in timber elements are finished in pale oak. Different varieties of marble are used for fixed furniture and counters, while ceramic claustra in a natural terracotta tone filter views between selected areas.

Off-white textiles complete the quieter material background. Together, the plaster, marble, oak and fabrics establish continuity between the different residences without erasing their individual spatial qualities.

Reflections and selected colour

Mirrored sections are introduced on walls and timber constructions to increase the perceived depth of the smaller rooms. Reflections multiply the vaulted forms, daylight and partial views of adjoining spaces.

Glass elements further reduce the visual weight of partitions. In bathrooms, transparent screens preserve the continuity of the vaulted interiors while allowing the different functions to remain clearly organized.

Against the neutral background, movable furniture in deep red introduces a concentrated colour accent. Metal-and-glass lighting fixtures and darker timber pieces add further contrast without fragmenting the overall composition.

The colour is used selectively rather than as a continuous decorative theme. As a result, the red elements become distinct points of orientation within the predominantly white and grey interiors.

Courtyards overlooking the Caldera

The external façades are retained and subtly repaired. The courtyards are reorganized through new dining areas, built-in seating and planting.

These outdoor spaces operate as extensions of the compact residences. Small pools, shaded seating and framed views towards the Caldera support everyday outdoor use without altering the established architectural character of the complex.

The relationship between the white interiors and the blue horizon remains central to the experience. Windows and doorways frame the sea, while daylight moves across the curved surfaces throughout the day.

Through restrained alterations, the renovation brings contemporary comfort to the existing residences without replacing their spatial identity. The vaulted structures remain dominant, supported by natural materials, reflective surfaces and carefully selected elements.

The project was first published in print in ek magazine 288 | June 2024, a monthly issue by ek Architectural Publications.

Set within a public park in Ajman, United Arab Emirates, Bkd Bakery by UMKY design is conceived as an extension of the surrounding urban landscape. The 305 m² building opens towards the park through large sliding elements, allowing the boundary between the interior, shaded terraces and public space to shift throughout the day.

The design responds simultaneously to the demanding regional climate and the operational requirements of a working bakery. Deep pergolas protect three sides of the building, while the interior combines public circulation, seating and production within a continuous spatial sequence.

Extending the park into the interior

The design began with an analysis of pedestrian movement through the park. The main entrance aligns with its central axis, establishing a direct continuation of the principal public route into the bakery.

Rather than enclosing the commercial space behind a fixed façade, large sliding mechanisms allow it to open towards the surrounding landscape. The transition from park to terrace and interior becomes gradual, allowing the bakery to participate in the everyday activity of the public space.

Deep pergolas extend along three sides of the building. They shade the outdoor seating areas and limit direct solar exposure, creating a protected perimeter around the bakery and reducing heat gain within the interior.

This shaded edge is central to the project. It allows indoor and outdoor hospitality spaces to operate as parts of the same environment while responding to Ajman’s intense climate.

A layout shaped by movement

The organization of the interior follows the pedestrian flows approaching the building. Public functions remain clear and immediately accessible, while staff circulation, storage and other back-of-house operations are positioned away from the principal guest areas.

At the center of the plan, a large service counter becomes the main visual and spatial point of reference. It is built from custom-cast concrete bricks with mint-green pigment added during production, establishing a material relationship with the vegetation of the surrounding park.

The masonry gives the counter a tactile presence and anchors the open interior. Its weight contrasts with the transparency of the perimeter and the ability of the façades to open almost completely towards the exterior.

A domestic scale beneath the pitched ceiling

Above the public areas, the ceiling follows the profile of a pitched roof. The familiar geometry reduces the perceived height of the interior and introduces a more intimate scale within the large commercial space.

The form also performs a technical role, concealing the extensive climate-control equipment required by the bakery. Rather than allowing these systems to dominate the interior, the ceiling integrates them within an architectural element associated with shelter and domesticity.

This combination of technical performance and familiar form supports the broader character of the project: an open public venue that nevertheless maintains a sense of warmth and enclosure.

Baking as part of the public experience

At the core of the bakery, the production area is enclosed by glass and remains visible from the guest spaces. Visitors can observe the preparation and baking process, making production part of the everyday experience of the interior.

Integrating a working bakery into a busy public space required careful coordination of ventilation. The production zone remains visually connected to the seating areas while operating with the air-control systems necessary to maintain comfortable conditions throughout the building.

Transparency therefore operates at several scales. The bakery opens towards the park, the public areas remain visually connected across the interior, and the process of production is placed on display.

Inspired by ideas of movement and lightness associated with the Gemini constellation, the project avoids the character of a sealed commercial object. Through its sliding boundaries, shaded perimeter and visible production spaces, Bkd Bakery becomes a place of exchange between the park, the interior and the everyday activity of baking.

At Minos Palace Resort in Crete, spatial flow, controlled sensory transitions and a close relationship with nature shape an environment dedicated to personalised wellbeing.

Νao Longevity Hub is located at Minos Palace Resort in Agios Nikolaos, Crete. Designed by Stones & Walls, the project explores how interior design can contribute to a broader approach to wellbeing and longevity.

Movement through space, contact with the natural landscape, lighting, materiality and atmosphere are treated as interconnected elements. The interior does not simply provide a setting for treatments and assessments. Instead, it becomes an active part of the visitor’s gradual transition towards a calmer rhythm.

Flow as a spatial principle

The name Nao derives from the ancient Greek verb nao, meaning “to flow,” and recalls the principle of panta rhei: everything flows. This concept informs the organization of the interior and the continuous passage from one functional zone to another.

The visitor’s experience begins before arrival through a personalised assessment, which establishes the basis of the programme that follows. Once inside Nao, the succession of spaces, the relationship with the landscape and the gradual reduction of sensory stimuli create a process of decompression.

The entire programme is not revealed from a single point. Instead, it unfolds through an ordered sequence of thresholds. Variations in light, enclosure, texture and atmosphere mark the transition from one activity to the next.

Circulation therefore becomes more than a functional link between rooms. It forms part of the overall wellness experience and prepares visitors for a different perception of time.

Nature and sensory restraint

The design responds to the understanding that the physical environment can affect both mental and bodily states. Natural light, tactile surfaces and visual contact with the exterior contribute to a measured and progressively quieter spatial experience.

Rather than separating the different functions through abrupt boundaries, Stones & Walls establish continuity through a shared material and atmospheric language. Spaces for assessment, movement, treatment and relaxation maintain distinct identities while remaining part of the same route.

The natural landscape serves as more than a framed view. Its colours, rhythms and sense of openness inform the restrained character of the interior. In this way, the project introduces contact with nature without relying on literal decorative representations.

Five interconnected pillars

The spatial design operates alongside a personalised methodology structured around five principal pillars: Nutrition, Sleep, Movement, Self-Mastery, and Connection & Purpose.

Diagnostic tools and individual programmes establish a personal route for each visitor. The interior supports this process through spaces with different degrees of activity, privacy and sensory intensity.

More active or technologically supported functions are balanced by quieter environments dedicated to rest and contemplation. The transitions among them are designed to feel gradual, preserving the principle of continuous flow.

Architecture and methodology therefore have complementary roles. Assessment defines the individual programme, while the physical environment gives this programme a clear sequence and atmosphere.

A changing understanding of luxury

Nao reflects a broader shift in contemporary hospitality and wellness design. Luxury is no longer expressed only through material refinement or visual abundance. It is increasingly associated with time, privacy, personalised attention and the quality of the surrounding environment.

Within this context, the project brings together interior design, science and nature as parts of a single experience. The objective is not simply to create a visually controlled setting, but to establish an environment that supports a more balanced everyday rhythm.

The architectural contribution lies in translating the abstract concept of flow into a spatial experience. Arrival, evaluation, movement, treatment and rest become successive stages of a continuous route.

The project was first presented in print in ek magazine 302 | November 2025, a monthly issue by ek Architectural Publications.

Japanese Aesthetics in Contemporary Athens

The Darya J Hotel is a contemporary hospitality destination in Athens, where the principles of Japanese aesthetics are translated into a refined architectural experience. Rooted in ideas of simplicity, balance, and material authenticity, the project establishes an atmosphere of calm and understated luxury within the dense urban fabric of the city.

Shared Spaces, Courtyard and Rooftop

The shared spaces are organized around a sense of continuity and flow, connecting the lobby, bar, and breakfast area with a landscaped outdoor courtyard featuring planting and a swimming pool. On the mezzanine level, flexible co-working spaces are introduced, while the rooftop hosts a bar with a jacuzzi, offering panoramic views over Athens.

Rooms, Suites and Spatial Transitions

Across five floors, the hotel accommodates 34 rooms, including four suites. The spatial organization is defined by clarity of form and fluid transitions between functions. In selected rooms, elevated sleeping platforms and partition elements inspired by traditional Japanese noren curtains create a contemporary interpretation of Japanese domestic space.

Material Authenticity and Crafted Details

Materiality plays a central role in the design language. Warm cherry-toned timber, Volakas and Cretan marble, natural textures, and bespoke surface treatments compose interiors with a strong tactile presence and timeless character. Custom lighting elements, flush details, and carefully crafted junctions reinforce a sense of harmony and precision throughout.

A Shoji-Inspired Façade

The architectural identity of the building is expressed primarily through its reimagined façade, inspired by traditional Japanese shoji screens. Vertical metal fins and perforated metal elements act as filters of light and privacy, introducing depth, rhythm, and a constantly shifting perception of the building envelope. At night, linear architectural lighting accentuates the geometry of the composition, strengthening the building’s presence within the urban landscape.

Calmness, Material Sensitivity and Atmosphere

The Darya J Hotel approaches hospitality as an experience defined by calmness, material sensitivity, and carefully composed atmosphere, where Japanese philosophy meets contemporary Athens.

A Contemporary Café in the Alpine Borderland

In Tarvisio, a town shaped by its position between Italy, Austria and Slovenia, Caffè Nazionale reopens as a contemporary space of gathering and social interaction. Designed by Elisa Mansutti Architetto, the project brings back to life a name deeply rooted in the town’s collective memory, reinterpreting it through a language of arches, timber, marble and greenery.

Tarvisio lies within a border landscape defined by exchange, transit and arrival. Located between the peaks of the Julian Alps and the Tarvisio Forest, the café draws on this condition of passage and encounter, translating the forms and materials of Alpine tradition into a refined interior for everyday use.

Reinterpreting the Historic Café

The project occupies a large vacant retail unit along the town’s main street, fully glazed toward the exterior and internally structured by a sequence of existing columns. Rather than treating these columns as constraints, the design incorporates them into a rhythmic architectural system that organizes the entire space.

The result is an interior that balances openness and intimacy. The café remains visually connected to the street, while its internal composition introduces a more layered sequence of spaces, allowing different forms of use to coexist throughout the day.

Arches as Permeable Thresholds

The first design gesture was the transformation of the existing columns into a wall articulated by a continuous series of arches. Beginning at the entrance, this arched sequence extends across the length of the interior, filtering the space and establishing a clear spatial rhythm.

The arches distinguish the bistro area from the more intimate lounge without fully separating them. Regular and measured, they operate as permeable thresholds: architectural elements that suggest division while preserving visual continuity and movement.

A Modular Fir Wood System

At the rear of the café, a fir wood backdrop recalls the native tree species of the Tarvisio region. Warm and tactile, this wooden system separates the service areas from the public space, while introducing a material presence directly connected to the surrounding Alpine landscape.

The system is based on a 60 cm module. Vertical timber elements clad the walls and define open shelving for the display of wine bottles. Following the same rhythm, they extend upward into the ceiling, becoming beams and panels that integrate the lighting system. Walls, furniture and ceiling surfaces are therefore linked through a continuous modular order.

Green Marble and the Operational Heart of the Café

The counter forms the operational heart of Caffè Nazionale. Designed in an L-shaped configuration with a central island, it brings together materials that evoke the Alpine environment: fir wood and green marble.

The layout provides generous work surfaces, a raised ledge for quick service and direct access to the basement and staff areas. Functional clarity is combined with material intensity, making the counter both a working element and a visual anchor within the café.

Lounge, High Table and Scenic Greenery

Along the glazed façade, a wooden bench runs parallel to the windows. Upholstered in green leather padding, the seating reinforces the material palette of the interior while offering a comfortable place to linger. Heating elements are integrated behind slatted timber panels, preserving visual continuity while allowing warm air to circulate.

In the lounge area, a large high table in marble is fixed to the floor as a sculptural presence. Solid yet refined, it transforms the area into a place dedicated to conviviality. At the back of the lounge, a raised linear planter clad in glossy green ceramic tiles introduces a living backdrop, bringing the presence of the surrounding landscape into the interior.

Flexible Hospitality for Different Moments of the Day

The layout is designed to support multiple uses, structured around the rhythmic sequence of arches that divides the café into two main zones: the bistro and the lounge. Each area can host different activities while maintaining a coherent overall atmosphere.

From morning breakfasts and brunches to afternoon aperitifs and evening live music, the café can adapt to changing social and cultural programs. The combination of modular elements, open plan and adaptable furniture allows Caffè Nazionale to remain inviting and functional throughout the day.

Alpine Materials and a Renewed Local Identity

The project begins from the existing marble flooring, characterized by shifting tones between forest green and deep reddish brown. This material base informs a wider palette that reinterprets the Alpine context: fir wood for walls and ceiling structures, green expressed through marble, glazed ceramic tiles and textured plaster, and living vegetation completing the composition.

Through these elements, Caffè Nazionale becomes more than a renovated hospitality interior. It is conceived as a place of encounter and identity, in constant dialogue with the town, its landscape and the memory of Tarvisio as a borderland of movement and exchange.

Targeted interventions

Athena Residence is the renovation of a 1960s apartment in central Athens, conceived as a small-scale hospitality project within the dense urban fabric of Kolonaki.

Adaptive Reuse

Located in Kolonaki and completed in 2024, the project responds to the evolving reality of contemporary Athens, where domestic interiors are increasingly required to accommodate hybrid modes of inhabitation – daily life alongside short-term stays. Working within the constraints of an existing building and a tightly defined budget, the project adopts a strategy of light yet decisive intervention. Rather than pursuing formal transformation, the design prioritizes reuse, spatial clarity and long-term performance.

The original timber flooring was carefully retained and restored, grounding the apartment in its material past. New bespoke joinery elements in timber and brass organize the kitchen, storage and wardrobes as fixed architectural components rather than loose furnishings, reinforcing a sense of permanence and cohesion. Subtle reconfigurations of the layout enhance circulation, daylight penetration and spatial flexibility, allowing the apartment to adapt to shifting patterns of occupation without altering its structural logic.

Sustainability Approach

Operational energy formed a central pillar of the project’s sustainable agenda. In a city where much of the residential stock remains energetically inefficient, the renovation focused on substantially reducing operational demand instead of relying on superficial upgrades. High-performance glazing, low-energy lighting, photovoltaic provision and the replacement of the existing gas heating system with an air-source heat pump collectively led to a reduction of more than 65% in operational energy consumption. The apartment’s energy classification was upgraded from Z to B+, marking a significant environmental improvement within the existing shell.

Design Philosophy

Athena Residence reflects a broader architectural attitude emerging in Athens, one that values continuity, responsibility and careful engagement with the existing built fabric. Rather than extracting value through spectacle, the project demonstrates how targeted, precise interventions can enhance comfort, environmental performance and longevity. In doing so, it proposes an alternative model of small-scale hospitality: one embedded in the city’s everyday life, respectful of its material history and oriented toward durable, long-term use.

In the centre of Heraklion, a city hotel is designed as one continuous composition, from the façade and communal areas to the bar, gym and guest rooms.

In the centre of Heraklion, Manousos Leontarakis & Associates develops a unified design identity for a city hotel, extending from the exterior and communal areas to the reception, bar, gym and guest rooms.

The project treats interior, exterior and lighting design as parts of a single composition. Clean lines, natural textures, timber and marble establish a restrained material language, while an earthy palette creates a calm and contemporary atmosphere throughout the building.

A continuous spatial identity

The reception, bar, circulation areas and guest rooms are connected through a consistent architectural vocabulary rather than designed as separate environments.

Timber introduces warmth, while marble provides a more refined counterpoint. Tactile finishes and muted tones soften the overall composition, creating continuity between the more public areas and the private rooms.

This approach extends to smaller-scale elements, including corridor carpeting and custom-made constructions. Instead of operating as isolated decorative features, these details reinforce the overall character of the hotel.

Lighting and atmosphere

Lighting is integrated into the architectural concept from the outset. Rather than applying a uniform solution, the design responds to the different uses and levels of privacy within the programme.

In communal areas, artificial light emphasizes selected surfaces and architectural features, strengthening spatial orientation and material depth. In the guest rooms and more intimate zones, softer illumination creates a calmer atmosphere.

The changing intensity and character of the lighting allow each space to acquire its own identity while remaining part of the same overall composition.

Detail as a design tool

The project moves consistently from the scale of the building to that of individual surfaces and fittings. Custom constructions, material junctions and carefully selected finishes contribute to a precise yet understated interior.

This attention to detail avoids visual excess. Instead, the design relies on proportion, texture and controlled contrasts to create a contemporary hospitality environment defined by clarity, comfort and coherence.

The first phase of the OAKA basketball arena renovation combines essential structural and technical upgrades with new hospitality, media and spectator facilities, while preserving the identity of the existing sports landmark.

The renovation of PAO BC Arena transformed the indoor basketball stadium at OAKA into the home venue of Panathinaikos BC. The intervention covered more than 50,000m² and combined the maintenance of the existing building with extensive functional, aesthetic and energy upgrades.

The core conversion was delivered within 75 days, while the wider design-and-construction process of the first phase was completed within four months. The accelerated programme required close coordination among the designers, project-management team, consultants and contractors.

Rather than replacing the identity of the existing arena, the project sought to clarify its structural character and adapt its infrastructure to contemporary requirements.

Infrastructure before image

The first stage addressed fundamental technical issues that had remained unresolved for an extended period. Works included waterproofing, the assessment and reinforcement of the roof space frame, hydraulic systems and the electricity supply network.

These interventions were necessary for the building’s safe and reliable operation. They also established the technical foundation for the new public, hospitality and athletic programmes introduced inside the arena.

The renovation consequently approached modernization as more than a visual transformation. Hidden infrastructure and structural performance were treated as equally important as the redesigned spectator areas.

New spaces for spectators and operations

The second level of intervention concerned the public and operational interiors. Circulation areas, sanitary facilities and food-and-beverage spaces were reorganized, while retail functions and areas for children’s activities were added.

New offices and press facilities support the daily operation of the venue. The Press Entrance, Gate 10 entrance and associated sanitary areas were designed by Decathlon in collaboration with Eva Lantzouni.

The hospitality programme includes a new VIP Entrance and VIP Lounge by Markos Vouzounerakis / RICHE. Dark surfaces, timber, marble and controlled lighting establish a more concentrated atmosphere within these spaces.

Sixteen suites designed by K-Division introduce smaller, private viewing environments within the large arena. Their interiors combine framed views of the court with integrated seating, storage and hospitality functions.

A digitally adaptable playing surface

The central court was upgraded through the installation of an interactive glass sports floor. Its digital surface allows graphics, markings and visual content to change according to the requirements of a game or event.

New audiovisual systems extend this transformation beyond the playing surface. Screens, sound and lighting reinforce the atmosphere of the arena and allow the venue to support a broader range of sporting and entertainment programmes.

The intervention also reorganized the visual identity of the seating bowl. Green seating, large digital displays and suspended banners connect the new technical infrastructure with the history and identity of Panathinaikos BC.

Lighting and external identity

The energy upgrade included the replacement of the existing lighting system. New functional lighting was introduced throughout the interior, alongside accent and atmospheric lighting in selected public and hospitality areas.

The separation of the building’s different levels was clarified, while additional sanitary facilities supported the updated circulation and spectator programme.

The external façades received a revised colour palette. The intention was to respect the form of the original arena while signalling its new identity and use.

The public space northeast of the building was also redesigned. Improvements to functional, accent and atmospheric lighting extend the intervention beyond the enclosed arena and reinforce its presence within the wider OAKA complex.

Preserving a public sports landmark

The project addresses the renovation of a major sports building as a process of adaptation rather than replacement. New systems and programmes are inserted within the existing structural framework, whose scale and architectural character remain legible.

At the time of the original publication, a second phase had been designed to include upgraded training courts, changing rooms and physiotherapy facilities. Additional offices, an outdoor café, a VIP restaurant, five further suites and a Panathinaikos museum were also planned.

These proposals should be understood within the December 2024 publication context. Their subsequent construction status requires separate confirmation.

The completed first phase demonstrates how the existing public sports-building stock can be renewed through coordinated architectural, technical and operational interventions. Its approach avoids an autonomous new image and instead builds on the principles and material presence of the inherited shell.

The project was first published in print in ek magazine 293 | December 2024, a monthly issue by ek Architectural Publications.

Opposite the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch, a hotel in central Athens uses vertical façade elements, framed balconies, marble, oak and integrated greenery to establish a contemporary dialogue with the city’s classical context.

Anthology of Athens by Elastic Architects is located in the historic centre of Athens, in direct visual dialogue with the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch. The design draws on the city’s classical references without reproducing them literally, translating proportion, verticality, materiality and views into a contemporary architectural language.

The concept also takes inspiration from the myth of Deucalion, in which stones thrown upon the earth become human beings. This relationship between matter and transformation becomes a recurring theme throughout the building, from the rhythm of the façade to the tactile treatment of the interiors.

A façade structured by proportion

The main elevation is organized through new balconies and a system of vertical elements that give the façade its principal rhythm.

Their spacing follows proportional relationships based on the golden section, establishing a clear grid across the elevation. These elements perform both functional and compositional roles, framing the balconies while controlling the visual relationship between the guestrooms and the surrounding city.

Rather than directly imitating classical columns, the vertical members abstract their linearity and rhythm. The reference to the nearby Temple of Olympian Zeus therefore operates through proportion and repetition rather than ornament.

Framing the Athenian landscape

The façade functions as a series of filters between interior space and the urban landscape.

The projecting balconies create depth and shade, while their vertical frames structure views towards the archaeological monuments and the wider city. From the upper levels, these openings become architectural devices for observing rather than simply overlooking Athens.

Light and shadow continuously alter the perception of the elevation. The vertical elements cast changing patterns across the balconies, reinforcing the depth of the façade and giving the building a different appearance throughout the day.

The architecture is therefore shaped not only by its physical form, but also by the changing relationship between material, daylight and view.

Classical references through abstraction

The project interprets its historical surroundings through contemporary geometry.

The rhythm of ancient colonnades is translated into slender vertical forms, while the orthogonal organization of the façade provides a controlled framework for the different openings and balconies.

This grid also influences the organization of the interiors, extending the logic of the exterior into the spatial structure of the hotel. The reference remains abstract: the design does not reproduce classical motifs, but reworks principles of proportion, repetition and structural rhythm.

A more expressive interior

Inside, the architectural language becomes more tactile and expressive.

Marble, oak, glass and textured plaster create a layered material environment, while integrated planting introduces a contrasting natural element. The interplay between mineral, timber and planted surfaces gives the communal spaces greater depth without departing from the restrained palette established by the architecture.

The use of natural materials connects different areas of the hotel while allowing changes in texture to distinguish individual spaces.

Curved elements appear alongside the more orthogonal geometry of the building, introducing a softer counterpoint within circulation areas and shared interiors.

Marble, oak and textured surfaces

Materiality becomes particularly important in the guestrooms and communal areas.

Marble provides the principal mineral surface, while oak introduces warmth and a finer texture. Glass with decorative treatment and fluted plaster add further variation, creating different responses to natural and artificial light.

The colour palette remains controlled, with off-white, beige and earth tones extending across both interior and exterior surfaces. These restrained colours reinforce continuity between materials and allow the architectural elements, vegetation and views to remain visually prominent.

Architecture as a filter of views

Anthology of Athens uses its position within the historic centre as a central component of the design.

The façade mediates between the intimacy of the guestrooms and the monumental scale of the surrounding city, while the interiors develop the same concept through changes in material, texture and light.

Elastic Architects translate classical references into proportion and rhythm rather than direct quotation. Vertical elements, framed balconies, marble surfaces and greenery establish a contemporary architectural identity whose relationship with Athens is defined primarily through what it frames, filters and reveals.

The project was first published in print in ek302 | November 2025.