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.

Relief continuation

The hotel is located at the edge of the traditional settlement of Oia, at the top of the volcanic cliffs of the Caldera. The site has a steep slope, a south-western orientation and unobstructed views toward the sea and the volcano.

 

Restoration Strategy

Within the plot there were ruined cave structures previously used as storage spaces, stables and cellars, as well as an old cubic house located at the northeastern corner. The objective of the project was the reconstruction of the pre-existing buildings and the addition of new cave rooms and communal areas, forming a hotel complex.

As a result, the hotel includes a small reception area, sixteen rooms, a restaurant, a shared swimming pool and a gym-spa. These functions are arranged gradually across the six levels of the complex. The entrance, accessed from the main pedestrian path of the settlement, is located at the upper level together with the reception and an outdoor seating area.

 

 

Spatial Organization

A central outdoor staircase leads from the upper level to the restaurant and the pool, connecting the three intermediate levels that accommodate the guest rooms with their private courtyards and pools. The lowest level includes the spa reception, a small gym, massage rooms, hammam, sauna, sanitary facilities and storage areas, as well as a sheltered relaxation courtyard at the edge of the cliff.

The proposal aimed both at the faithful restoration of the pre-existing buildings and the construction of new cave structures in the spirit of a contemporary and subtle reinterpretation of the cubic morphology of the old settlement, while maintaining a continuous relationship with the natural topography of the Caldera. The form of the new cave spaces preserves the structure of the traditional ones, along with their geometric shapes, materiality and white color.

The typologies of the floor plans, as well as the openings, are oriented so as to frame the view toward the sea. As a result, the façades follow the natural contour lines as broken geometries, resembling folded retaining walls that integrate gently into the landscape. The layering of these compositional strategies ultimately defines the final form of the building and its strong spatial dynamism. The descending movement of the central outdoor staircase, from the hotel entrance to the lowest level, resembles a “crack” in the “body” of the building, guiding movement and directing visitors toward the various private and communal areas.

Materials & Lighting

The interior design follows a strict minimalist approach based on the principles of Cycladic architecture. In the pre-existing cave spaces, a “total white” atmosphere prevails, with subtle touches of iridescent gold and green, while soft curves and freestanding furniture with organic forms highlight and enrich their natural plasticity.

The aesthetic of the new cave rooms is characterized by more intense colors, in the spirit of a “vie en bleu”, with abstract references to the cosmopolitan resorts of the Mediterranean south. These references become more geometric, linking the shapes and volumes of the interior with the forms of the exterior composition.

The lighting of the complex operates in a discreet manner, enhancing the sculptural quality of the white volumes and the experience of movement through the landscape. Along the outdoor pathways and staircases, low-intensity linear luminaires are integrated into the architecture, emphasizing the geometry of the walls and guiding visitors during nighttime circulation. The illuminated pools act as diffused luminous surfaces within the composition, creating soft reflections across the cave volumes. Inside the rooms, lighting remains subtle and integrated into the curved surfaces, highlighting the minimalist aesthetic and the sculptural qualities of Cycladic architecture.

 

Urban Character

The new hotel was developed by reconstructing and repurposing the historic Metaxas distillery building in the port of Piraeus. The project features 101 rooms, the Amber Cellar bar-restaurant, and a rooftop bar on the 8th floor. The interior is adorned with carefully curated artworks from the contemporary Greek art scene, underscoring the hotel’s vibrant urban character.

 

Design Philosophy

The design of the new shell focuses on both the aesthetic and functional enhancement of the existing building. The triangular projections on the front façade are driven by the desire to provide the best possible views of the harbor and the sea from the rooms. The spatial organization of the former Metaxas distillery guided the design of the ground floor, which accommodates the reception area, restaurant, and essential auxiliary spaces for the hotel’s operation. Visitor circulation in the public areas is defined by a series of passages beneath intricately designed wooden arches, which both separate the different functions and unify the space aesthetically.

 

Existing Elements

The circulation of visitors through the public spaces is defined by a series of successive wooden arches, which delineate distinct functional areas and unify the space aesthetically. The design of these arches is inspired by the geometric analysis of the circular and spatially inscribed barrel forms that once characterized the storage areas of the old distillery.

The renewed circulation route within the Metaxa distillery is further enhanced by an optical illusion created through the strategic use of mirrors on the inner sides of the wooden passages. This reflection amplifies the visual experience, adding depth and intrigue. The geometry of the barrels and their subdivisions is echoed in the interior of the rooms, particularly within the design of the fixed furniture elements.

 

Material Palette

The hotel’s interior color palette draws inspiration from the local landscape and collective memory. The blue hues of the sky and sea blend seamlessly with the warm golden tones of the Greek summer light, culminating in the rich amber shades reminiscent of Metaxa cognac. Enhancing the accommodation experience, the public and private spaces feature murals and sculptures by renowned artists Kostas Varotsos, Konstantinos Kakanias, and Jason Megoulas (Cacao Rocks).

Historical contrast

Perched on the hillside above Vourni Beach, the hotel is an architectural intervention that harmonizes with its surroundings, appearing to emerge organically from the earth. The design fosters a continuous dialogue with the landscape, respecting and enhancing the island’s unique beauty while seamlessly blending the built and natural environments.

 

Context Integration

The design pays homage to the island’s unique beauty, fostering a seamless connection between the built environment and the natural terrain. During the project’s excavations, archaeologists unearthed the remains of a classical-era tower, constructed around the same time as the Parthenon. Further up the slope, remnants of a late Byzantine cellar and scattered Ottoman-era structures were also discovered. These findings reveal a rich historical tapestry, with thousands of years of human presence etched into the very rocks of the hillside.

 

Morphology & Layout

Today, Odera leaves its mark on this historic landscape. The building’s form embodies a fusion of the harmony of ancient Greek classicism and the strength of Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture. The simplicity of the volumes, inspired by Cycladic tradition, coupled with the use of local materials and forms, ensures that the resort blends seamlessly into both its natural and built surroundings.

The complex draws inspiration from the traditional layout of Cycladic villages, known for their dense clusters of residences and narrow alleys that often lead to breathtaking openings toward the rocky terrain and the vast expanse of the sea. Odera’s design echoes this layout, with winding pathways and hidden passages that reveal unexpected vistas and tranquil spaces. A series of arches form a side corridor that extends from the reception area, creating a sense of mystical depth. This architectural gesture draws on Byzantine influences and evokes the transcendent atmosphere characteristic of Orthodox church design.

 

Materials & Natural Light

Streams of light filter through the windows, illuminating the interiors and creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. The design, featuring white stone, wood, and native vegetation, captures the very essence of Tinos. The sculpted volumes of the rooms evoke the organic charm of traditional settlements, seamlessly merging with the surrounding natural landscape. Meanwhile, the infinity pools -reminiscent of small lakes formed by sudden rainfall- blend harmoniously with the boundless Aegean horizon in the distance.

Contrasting composition

The new hotel includes 38 rooms in various typologies and is situated in a prime location in Naousa, Paros, right by the sea. The architectural design aims to craft an authentic hospitality space of high standards, becoming seamlessly integrated with the traditional settlement and the distinctive landscape of the Cyclades.

 

Functional Configuration

The hotel’s architecture features a contrasting composition: cubic prisms face the settlement, while circular volumes overlook Piperi Beach and its lush vegetation. The circular structures accommodate common areas, including the reception, a pastry shop, a Japanese cuisine bar-restaurant, and a spa. Meanwhile, the rectangular buildings house the guest rooms and the main restaurant. Guests can take a leisurely stroll starting from the reception, through the open-air area of the pastry shop, and across the planted terraces of the main restaurant, culminating in a panoramic view of the blue Aegean Sea and its refreshing northern breeze.

Between the two geometric units lies a 55-meter-long swimming pool, which appears as an extension of the sea, through the design of an elongated ramp with a glass safety rail. Two restaurants with outdoor seating are situated on either side of the pool, making it the central hub of the hotel’s outdoor activities. A second, circular hot pool is part of the spa, while at the opposite end, an additional circular space serves as an outdoor theatre and yoga deck.

 

Material Palette

All rooms have been meticulously designed, featuring white marble as the primary material, a nod to classic Greek aesthetics. The use of light colors as well as large openings that allow light and air into the space, creates an atmosphere of relaxation and well-being, while reflecting the natural palette of Naousa’s landscape. The color scheme draws inspiration from the blue hues of the water, the white of the Cyclades, and the sand -all of which can be found in the flooring, pergolas, and common areas of the restaurant and spa.

 

Architectural Language

The central concept of the design is to modernize and connect with the local island heritage. The architectural language features formations with arches and wall recesses, semi-circular sections, cubic structures, and geometric patterns combined with irregular shapes. This distinct style is echoed on a smaller scale in the interior design, seen in the custom-built curvilinear furniture and the reliefs on both horizontal and vertical surfaces.

A distinctive feature of the design is the flooring, which consists of irregular white marble slabs with off-white joints. This modern take on the traditional paving found in the island’s settlements is used throughout the rooms as well as the public areas of the hotel.

New hospitality experience

The project is a reconstruction of a historic hotel from the 1950s, located in the northern suburbs of Athens, and aims to create a new hospitality experience. Nestled in the lush green Kefalari Grove, the building is architecturally characterized by its geometric appearance and the austere style it exudes, which is set against its rich and colorful interior.

 

Renovation Approach

The redesign challenge began by removing several structural elements as well as the façade and strengthening the load-bearing structure. By eliminating structural elements, it opened up opportunities for design freedom, ultimately striving to create functional floor plans. The hotel’s orientation, its size as well as the vertical white blinds of the façade, contrast with the dark repetitive symmetrical balconies and create a vertical geometry that visually elevates the building’s volume.

The ground floor acts as an autonomous zone, suitable for hotel guests and external users alike, offering many entertainment and catering areas. Parallel to the street, an overhead canopy covers as well as marks the entrance. Upon entering the hotel, a careful combination of colors, elements, shapes, and original works of art, along with furniture from different eras and cultures, effectively communicates the eclectic personality of this building.

 

Material Palette

Using an abundance of fabrics and textures -with velvet being the predominant material, emanating a sense of nostalgia- the lobby is characterized by a bold color palette flooded with intense natural light that penetrates the ground floor’s perimeter. A large, central core on the ground floor, cladded in walnut wood and elegantly sculpted into a gentle curve, serves as the main orientation axis, directing visitors to the different spaces.

 

Interior Design and Organization

The interior design focuses on the “parallel” activities taking place in the hotel. All the ground floor spaces accommodate a plethora of uses and offer different experiences. The new restaurant, a semi-open-air Parisian bistro, and a special library housing some of the most important art publications are spaces used for business meetings or relaxation during the day. The design objective for each space is to create an atmosphere that triggers memories and unique experiences for the visitor.

A 1950s spiral staircase leads to the 28 rooms and suites on the upper floors. While ascending, a vertical glass window extends along the height of the rear elevation, offering a unique view of the natural area surroundings. The carefully lit corridors of the floors leave a sense of mystery, while the rooms are divided into five different typologies based on five distinct material palettes, colors, and tailor-made elements.

 

Custom Furniture

From the bed headboard to the open-concept wardrobe and bathroom amenities, all rooms feature custom-built wood furniture joined with brass metal fittings. On the roof, a wine & cocktail bar with a panoramic view becomes a destination for guests and external visitors, offering them a sense of being among the treetops. This flexible space works all year round, even during the winter, since a fully transparent enclosure enables its use without obstructing the view.