light and shadow Archives | ek magazine | Architectural Publications https://ek-mag.com/tag/light-and-shadow/ Architecture, Interior Design and Contemporary Design Projects Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:45:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 https://ek-mag.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/cropped-ek_Logo-black-32x32.jpg light and shadow Archives | ek magazine | Architectural Publications https://ek-mag.com/tag/light-and-shadow/ 32 32 Residence in Nicosia https://ek-mag.com/residence-in-nicosia-2/ Wed, 04 Mar 2026 05:31:55 +0000 https://ek-mag.com/?p=177734 This article by Konstantinos was published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications.

The composition becomes a sequence of different impressions throughout the day, and the poetics of space creates a detachment from the environment

The post Residence in Nicosia was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

]]> This article by Konstantinos was published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications.

Geometric elements

Built amidst fields of wheat, the house is defined by the geometric treatment of three natural elements: Earth, water, and light. The composition becomes a sequence of different impressions throughout the day, and the poetics of space creates a detachment from the environment, as a layout raised above the landscape.

 

Design Philosophy

At once, a home, and imagery: the former attribute is experienced practically, and the latter becomes the source of ideas. One layout and one clear line, diagonally traced upon a simple volume, define the building. It is an elongated volume of bare concrete, placed in-between the ground and the sky. Its elegant character is described in simple lines, uniting and dividing.

The floor-to-ceiling opening maintains proportions which allow an unobstructed sky view. The building volume is subtracted from the soil, creating a seamless flow of open air space beneath – a gesture further accentuated with the water axis, perpendicular to the building.

 

Residence in Nicosia-Eraclis Papachristou Architects-ekmagazine

 

Façade Morphology

The shell is introverted, with only a few incisions on its surface, and the dominant bare concrete is complemented with a screen of perforated, folded bronze shades. Contact with the outside remains at the disposition of the inhabitant. Each idea requires a practical application. The living experience is entirely introverted, with the materiality of concrete enforcing this impression. The bold gesture at the entrance -an oversized prism which absorbs a disproportionate part of the whole- acts as a bridge to the interior, with its geometry and size underlining the distance between public and private.

 

Residence in Nicosia-Eraclis Papachristou Architects-ekmagazine

 

Materials & Sustainability

Incisions are few, and precise: one opening at the kitchen looks downwards; one light well at the end of the corridor accentuates a sculpture in space, and marks arrival. At the entrance prism, a vertical aperture is juxtaposed to the incision of the kitchen; as a result, each afternoon, a strip of light crosses through. Those elements are brought into a marked contrast with the other two faces of the volume, where the wall is expressed as absence.

The shading device is also a mechanism, a filter in an environmental approach. The ample height of the spaces alludes to vernacular architecture, where the large air volume stabilizes interior temperature. The thermal mass of the walls adds to this effect. The tectonic shell of the project wraps this interior in an austere line, without any superficial gestures.

 

Residence in Nicosia-Eraclis Papachristou Architects-ekmagazine

The post Residence in Nicosia was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

]]> Natu | Restaurant in Kifissia https://ek-mag.com/natu-restaurant-in-kifissia/ Fri, 22 Mar 2024 11:29:13 +0000 https://ek-mag.com/?p=152492 This article by Konstantinos was published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications.

Unfolding forms and volumes within a natural context

The post Natu | Restaurant in Kifissia was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

]]> This article by Konstantinos was published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications.

Harmonious dialogues

Hidden within the garden of the Goulandris Museum, the new restaurant harmoniously intertwines with the natural context unfolding around it, creating a field of dynamic yet gentle transitions in space and time.

 

Design philosophy

The distinct garden, formed by small aromatic plants and colorful flowers to tall perennial trees, surrounds the enclosed space, which is the focal point of the composition, and creates an overall immersive experience. The driving force behind the design was an ongoing connection with the experience of the Natural History Museum, while the fossil, a concept that is both contemporary and ancient, emerged as a key element of inspiration, reflected in the materials used, the plasticity and form of the volumes, the choice of colors and the overarching spatial intertwinement.

 

Connecting the indoor and outdoor spaces

At the entrance, the minimal lines and the purity of the design are enhancing the garden’s vibrancy, leaving an impression on the visitor’s mind. The boundaries are blurred, thus creating strong connections between light and shadow, liquid and earthly elements, interior and exterior spaces, preserving however the distinct character of each design component. The simplicity of the interior is enhanced by natural elements and materials, while the presence of art and elegant textures compose a space that simultaneously flows as well as blends with the garden.

 

Material Pallet

Distinctive stones, rough marble surfaces and dark, natural wood are the main materials of the interior space. At the heart of the composition, a majestic marble monastery table instigates moments of culinary experiences, conversations, encounters and sensations, while seamlessly interacting with the exterior surroundings through a large glass window. Small details, decorative objects, special lighting and an eye-catching bar complete the experience.

 

Designing the exterior space

Upon entering the outdoor space, the immersive experience of nature is emphasized through organic canopies casting dappled shadows, the sound of water cascading down linear waterfalls, the prominent pond as well as the majestic and carefully curated flora found in places of particular beauty. Artworks strategically placed throughout the space complement and enrich the overall composition. The shading elements and spatial features draw inspiration from the surrounding environment, while their radial cross-sections, color schemes, and designs are meticulously crafted to ensure a seamless integration with the natural surroundings.

The post Natu | Restaurant in Kifissia was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

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