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.

 

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.