Creative revival

The new hotel and swim club on the Glyfada waterfront was created through the complete transformation of a 1970s building complex. The renovation preserves the distinctive character of the era while meeting the highest contemporary hospitality standards.

 

Design Philosophy

By showcasing the vibrancy and diversity of the modern Athenian creative scene and incorporating iconic works of international art and design, the hotel becomes not only a destination for visitors but also a cultural landmark for locals. The building comprises two interconnected wings of different heights, both of which underwent extensive structural, functional, and energy upgrades to enhance safety, improve energy performance, and ensure accessibility for people with reduced mobility.

The interior design adopts the same guiding principles, shaping every space to balance comfort, functionality, and visual cohesion. The public areas include a generous lobby and restaurant on the ground floor, an outdoor pool with a pool bar, a café, an exhibition space, as well as a rooftop bar, a second restaurant, and a rooftop pool. The lobby is considered the building’s central gathering point, and functions simultaneously as a meeting place and an art gallery, blending the structure’s original brutalist expression with a refined modernist sensibility.

 

 

Materials, Lighting & Furniture

Local materials such as Dionysos marble, wood, and ceramic tiles anchor the hotel to the architectural identity of Athens. Clean lines and geometric forms carry through the spirit of the original building, while new elements, such as untreated copper details and custom terrazzo flooring, introduce a contemporary touch. Lighting serves both practical and atmospheric purposes, adding dynamism to an otherwise restrained and minimal palette.

The 120 rooms are designed with minimalist lines and draw inspiration from the core principles of modernism. Echoing the interiors of Le Corbusier, their layout prioritizes functionality while preserving a sense of comfort. Custom-made furniture combines contemporary aesthetics with subtle references to mid-century Greek design, while built-in elements, terrazzo floors, and a measured color palette highlight the materials and architectural details.

 

 

Pool & Outdoor Design

The suites offer additional amenities, such as wet bars, and feature custom-designed murals that enrich the guest experience without deviating from the project’s overall design narrative. Outdoor areas, including the terraces and the pool zone, maintain the central idea of preserving the building’s original atmosphere while incorporating modern design trends. A new water feature and a shading pergola improve natural ventilation and cooling, enhancing comfort for guests.

The pool area evokes the Mediterranean leisure culture of the 1970s, with soft tones, olive-green loungers, and vibrant yellow umbrellas. This simple yet refined design creates a relaxed environment, allowing the architecture to blend seamlessly into the landscape of the Athenian Riviera.

 

Reinterpreting tradition

The project is a single-family residence that seeks to reinterpret the lifestyle of a house in the historic center of Mérida, integrating new spaces adapted to contemporary life while respecting the house’s original architecture. The inspiration came from Yucatecan colonial architecture, aiming to rescue the essence of the pre-existing bay with traditional pasta tile floors, stone masonry walls, and exposed wooden joists.

 

Spatial Organization

Given the very narrow lot, only 4 meters wide, the main goal was to maximize use of the property’s length, resulting in a linear scheme. This layout allows circulation between different spaces without passing directly through them. Open and semi-open spaces promote indoor-outdoor connection, natural lighting, and ventilation. Additionally, a central courtyard was introduced as a key organizing element, echoing traditional colonial homes.

The house is organized around distinct areas with a variety of atmospheres. The terrace preserves the existing upper structure and exposed masonry walls, enhanced by a mural by Adriana Romero and colorful pasta tile flooring. The spacious central courtyard serves as the heart of the house, incorporating stairs to the upper floor and a bahareque roof with a protective acrylic top. At the end of the property lies the master bedroom, designed for privacy and tranquility, with an arched façade that reduces heat and sunlight.

Material Palette

Regional materials were essential in defining the project’s identity. Traditional tiles with contemporary patterns, stone masonry walls, and exposed wood maintain a strong connection to Yucatecan tradition. Neutral interior wall colors create spaciousness, polished concrete floors balance modernity with tradition, and yellow concrete pigmented with mineral powder lends warmth and distinction to the exterior walls.

 

 

Context Integration

The project harmonizes new design with Mérida’s historic center, respecting colonial architectural language while adapting to modern living. Its linear scheme, courtyard concept, and material palette foster continuity with regional identity. Ultimately, the design blends preservation with contemporary reinterpretation, embodying cultural and spatial integration.

 

Meandering movement

The subterranean residence, built on a 4,700m2 plot in the rural landscape of Tinos, is located near the traditional village of Kardiani. With a total surface area of 300m2, the house is arranged entirely on one level, ensuring full accessibility throughout both its interior and exterior spaces.

 

Context Integration

The layout and architectural approach draw inspiration from the traditional settlements of Tinos, particularly their three dimensional and intricate spatial fabric. Wandering through these villages is an experience of exploration and surprise, unfolding through narrow, maze-like alleys and offering sudden glimpses of the sea and sky. This unique spatial experience served as a conceptual framework for the organization of the residence, where interior and exterior areas are arranged along a non-linear path that gradually reveals views and spaces, echoing the rhythm of discovery.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The building volume is precisely integrated into the land’s natural contours, with a primary façade oriented toward the sea. Stone walls, built using material excavated on-site, frame the exterior spaces along the front and the rear courtyard, while trees planted in the inner courtyards create a natural link between inside and outside. The roof is covered with local soil and features three large openings, allowing natural light and ventilation into the courtyards.

In the main living areas, the roof is sloped to enhance ceiling height and subtly conceal the underground nature of the structure. The floor plan is based on a strict rectangular grid, serving as a framework for dialogue with the surrounding landscape’s irregular morphology. The terrain cut is symbolically expressed through a “floating beam”, a stepped parapet that appears to emerge naturally from the ground.

 

 

Sustainable Design

The residence is built with high-performance thermal insulation that exceeds standard requirements and operates with a central energy system using a heat pump and solar collectors. The orientation of the main façade and courtyards, along with strategically placed wooden pergolas, contributes significantly to the passive shading and thermal regulation of the space. Overall, the house represents a refined example of contemporary holiday architecture; one that integrates seamlessly into its natural setting and is constructed with sensitivity toward the environment.

 

Secret sanctuaries

Situated beside the historic Mon Repos Palace in Corfu, within a secluded garden, two 19th-century storage buildings have been thoughtfully transformed into tranquil guesthouses. Preserving their minimal character, the structures were redesigned with deep respect for the site’s history and the surrounding Mediterranean landscape.

 

Spatial Organization

The larger of the two spaces has been conceived as an open-plan room, with the sleeping area subtly separated from the rest of the interior by sliding partitions made of fluted glass, framed in solid iroko wood. The design is defined by crisp white surfaces, complemented by natural textures and warm wooden tones. The floor is paved with black stone tiles, while three types of wood -iroko, American oak, and lacquered plywood- are used to add richness and contrast.

The smaller guesthouse features a single, integrated structure crafted from dark green lacquered plywood, serving as the central architectural element. This multifunctional unit discreetly incorporates storage, mechanical systems, a wood stove, and the air conditioning unit. Its clean lines maintain a sense of openness and order throughout the space.

 

 

Custom Design & Materials

In the first guesthouse, all furniture was custom-designed by the architects and handcrafted from solid American oak, 5 cm thick. Built-in cabinetry blends seamlessly with the architectural language of the space, combining white lacquered plywood with accents of American oak. Interiors are lined with oak veneer, further enhancing the tactile quality of the space.

In the second guesthouse, the choice of a deep green hue for the central built-in element evokes the lush vegetation of the garden, reinforcing the connection between inside and out. The ochre-toned stone flooring continues the visual narrative of the exterior, drawing the natural palette indoors.

 

 

Philosophy of Craftsmanship

At the core of both spaces is a reverence for craftsmanship. The precise joinery and refined construction details are not merely stylistic choices but expressions of care and intention. Every junction, surface, and bespoke element was designed at a 1:1 scale and realized by skilled local carpenters and glass artisans. Through the use of natural materials and an unwavering attention to detail, the guesthouses exude a sense of calm and timelessness -offering not just accommodation, but a place of retreat.

 

Landscape extension

Built in a privileged location with panoramic Aegean views, the house in Vourni is a private refuge of relaxation, only a few miles away from Tinos town. Aiming at its harmonious integration in the environment, the composition balances between local materials and contemporary aesthetics, keeping with simple lines and a functional arrangement.

 

Design Philosophy

The building is designed in one level only, mostly dug underground into the slope, and the roof appears as a natural extension of the hill. The east part of the structure springs out of the rock, perpendicular to the underground wing, providing the courtyard with its desired privacy and protection from the wind, without compromising the impressive sea view. Concurrently, large, south-facing openings allow uninterrupted vistas from the interior.

 

 

Functional Organization

The program includes a dining area, lounge, and kitchen, as well as three spacious bedrooms. The entrance hall is the core of the composition, with two building wings extending from that point. Folding glazing in the front creates a seamless transition between the indoor space and the sheltered courtyard outside. There, the water element of the swimming pool is designed at a linear extension of the entrance access, and end at an infinity edge at the south of the terrace.

The east wing includes two bedrooms, with an atrium opening towards the view at their interval. The master bedroom occupies a prominent position at the southern edge of the house, with immediate access to the swimming pool. The west wing contains the large, integrated lounge and dining area, with the kitchen in the background. The third bedroom, with ensuite bathroom and independent access, may function as a separate guesthouse.

 

 

Landscape Design

The terrace is equipped with an outdoor lounge at the extension of the indoor shared areas, with a dining bench at its western part. The composition and the volumetric arrangement are organized in a way which facilitates the building’s integration into the landscape with the least possible disturbance. The same reasoning guides the selection of materials: unfaced stone is combined with wood and selected concrete elements, resulting in an earthy simplicity throughout.

 

Cubist composition

Located on a sloping plot with a western orientation and panoramic views of Paros, this project involved the transformation of an existing three-story structure -originally designed as two independent residences at the stage of the load-bearing shell -into a single, unified holiday home for a family.

 

Spatial Organization

The renovation included the demolition of select perimeter sections and slabs, along with a complete redesign of the interiors and parts of the facades. To harmonize the building with the surrounding topography, the intervention was extended to include a comprehensive landscape design. The 550 m² residence unfolds across three levels and comprises six bedrooms and guest suites. Entry is at the middle level, which houses the main living spaces, kitchen, a staff room, and a guest suite with independent access. The upper level accommodates three bedrooms, while the semi-basement includes a second guest suite with private access, a gym, and storage areas.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The architectural language is expressed through a composition of white, cubist volumes and walls that emerge from the rocky, earthen hillside. These are framed by dry-stone retaining walls, which shape outdoor courtyards in relation to the terrain’s slope and the building’s functional zones. Two main types of exterior spaces are defined: enclosed courtyards that offer privacy and shelter from northern winds, and open terraces oriented toward the horizon. Among these is the uppermost rooftop, which functions as an outdoor lounge with uninterrupted, panoramic views.

At the lowest elevation of the landscape design, the outdoor living area is arranged around the existing cedar trees (a protected species), and includes a pool, an outdoor dining space, a lounge, and a bar -positioned at a deliberate distance from the main residence to ensure a sense of retreat.

 

 

Materials & Custom Structures

Particular attention was paid to construction detailing, with the aim of developing a typology of refined, site-specific solutions consistent with the project’s broader design intent. Slim, freestanding metal pergolas with reed canopies provide shade while visually detaching from the main volume of the building. The internal staircase was conceived as a sculptural metal element, transforming the space through the play of shadows it casts on the floors under changing light conditions.

Polished cement mortar, in tones of grey or off-white, is used consistently across interior and exterior flooring as well as built-in furniture, establishing a seamless dialogue between plasticity and geometry within the architectural shell. Stone, metal, white render, and cement mortar are carefully composed to create an atmosphere of spacious tranquility -an inviting environment designed to host a sensory celebration in a unique location on the island of Naxos.

 

Sustainable design

The holiday residence is situated on the eastern side of Antiparos, just a few meters from the sea, offering uninterrupted views of southwestern Paros and the islet of Marmara.

 

Design Philosophy

Positioned at the center of the plot and aligned with the coastline, the house is framed by thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces. At the rear, a covered parking area and a sheltered entrance provide practical access, while the front features open-air and shaded living areas along with a swimming pool that overlooks the sea. This outdoor area sits above a garden planted with low-lying, native vegetation. The building is organized into two primary volumes: one containing the main living areas oriented toward the sea, and the other housing the bedrooms.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The ground floor includes three bedrooms, while the master suite occupies a private position on the upper floor. A core design principle -essential in any Cycladic residence- is that each interior space should extend seamlessly into the outdoors. This is achieved through large openings that visually and functionally integrate the interior with the exterior. The sense of continuity is further enhanced by the consistent use of materials both inside and out. Although the overall aesthetic is distinctly contemporary, the design pays homage to traditional Cycladic architecture through its geometry, construction methods, and the use of locally inspired materials.

 

 

Material Palette

The architectural expression is defined by white volumes, coarse plaster finishes, local stone, cement screed, and wooden pergolas. These are paired with high-quality materials and advanced technologies to ensure a standard of living that matches, or even surpasses, urban comforts. Sustainability is a guiding principle of the design. The residence has achieved top-tier certifications such as BREEAM, establishing it as the first truly “green” home in the Cyclades.

 

Local craftsmanship

Situated at an altitude of 1,650 meters above sea level, just outside Ile Alatau National Park and 25 kilometers south of Almaty, these guest cabins rest on the northern slope of the Trans-Ili Alatau in Kazakhstan. Commissioned by a family wishing to share the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Kazakh Tien Shan, the two cabins were designed as retreats for friends -warm, welcoming spaces that honor and preserve the surrounding nature.

 

Design Philosophy

While global trends often emphasize luxury and high-end finishes, this project draws inspiration from the enduring traditions of Central Asia’s nomadic heritage. It asserts that, for the modern urban dweller, true luxury lies in the ability to experience nature without disturbing its balance.

Selecting the exterior materials was a critical aspect of the design. The façades are clad in reclaimed larchwood sourced from the Altai Mountains in East Kazakhstan -an area steeped in myth and believed by some to be the gateway to the legendary land of Shambhala near Mount Belukha. The planks were salvaged from old, abandoned houses, giving new life to aged timber. Structurally, the cabins are built using timber-framed SIP (Structural Insulated Panel) systems anchored on metal piles, eliminating the need for deep foundations or intrusive construction methods. As a result, the cabins can be dismantled in the future, and the materials reused- further reinforcing the project’s commitment to sustainability.

 

 

Functional Organization

To maintain the integrity of the landscape, an access road was discreetly constructed, and all utilities were routed underground. Fresh spring water supplies the cabins. Each structure serves a distinct purpose and offers a unique experience.

The first cabin includes two separate bedrooms with floor-to-ceiling windows that face east, allowing guests to wake up to the morning sun. These rooms share a compact but efficient bathroom. The second cabin is organized around a living room and kitchenette, featuring a cozy library and an expansive bathroom with breathtaking views of the western mountain range.

 

 

Material Palette

At the heart of the living room stands a wood-burning metal stove, framed by richly textured emerald and deep blue tiles. The interiors fuse traditional nomadic sensibilities with contemporary comfort. Designed to be flexible, minimalist, and eco-conscious, the spaces prioritize simplicity and function. Except for the bathrooms, all rooms are finished in unpainted plywood treated for water and fire resistance -an understated but durable choice that complements the overall ethos of the project.

 

Local interaction

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

 

Design Philosophy

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

 

 

Brand Identity

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

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

 

 

Local Materials

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

 

Contour alignment

This four-bedroom holiday residence is situated in a sloped plot outside the settlement in the area of Apokoronas. Its westward orientation overlooks a gorge, with panoramic views stretching to the White Mountains in the south and Souda Bay to the north.

 

Design Philosophy

The design is composed of three interconnected volumes aligned with the slope’s natural contours, each connected by atriums that serve as semi-outdoor spaces. It follows a thoughtful integration of modern aesthetic with the natural landscape of Apokoronas, becoming seamlessly integrated with the plot’s steep terrain. Through the use of sustainable materials, the project respects and preserves the local environment while offering luxurious, comfortable spaces that embrace the region’s stunning views. Finally, the dual purpose of private vacation home and rental property, balances privacy and connectivity, ultimately setting a high standard for context-responsive architecture.

 

Spatial Layout

The access to the residence occurs through the northern volume, which hosts the primary living spaces: a kitchen with an island, dining area, and spacious living room, partially separated from the dining room by a central built-in fireplace.

The main volume serves as the private quarters, housing three bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and a long corridor connecting to a service room and a wc. Each bedroom has its own private courtyard, and beds are oriented towards the sea, ensuring each space enjoys tranquil, unobstructed views. On the lower level, a lounge space with a fireplace and jacuzzi provides a secluded setting with panoramic mountain and sea views.

The third volume is comprised of the master bedroom, connected to the rest of the house by an atrium. Its layout maximizes views of the White Mountains, the sea, and the gorge. The suite features an open bathroom with a large bathtub, offering stunning views and extending outwards to a private patio that includes a jacuzzi and an outdoor shower.

 

Exterior Design

In the residence’s outdoor space, a fully equipped kitchen and a large dining area are placed under a canopy. A west-facing courtyard includes an infinity pool, outdoor shower, and ample lounging space that features views of both the gorge and sea while maintaining privacy from nearby buildings and the municipal road.

Floating Sense

Located in Kipia, just outside Kavala, the project involves expanding the offices of a rock mining and processing company and redesigning the interior layout of its 3,000m² product exhibition space. The design draws inspiration from reimagining the quarry experience as an open, local tour, with the concept of levitation serving as a defining architectural element.

 

Design Philosophy

The space is experienced as a journey, where visitors encounter plantings, rocks, and shifting perspectives through a series of multi-sensory experiences. A bridge at the intermediate level appears to float between two curved metal surfaces, on which the exhibits are suspended, enhancing the immersive experience.

 

Spatial Organization

The transition process begins at the entrance, flows through the ground floor pathway, and extends into the museum spaces of the quarries, culminating on the first floor of the exhibition. This level also provides access to the offices located on the intermediate level. Within the exhibition area, thoughtfully designed sections showcase elements of the quarry, alongside seating, entertainment spaces, and areas for public gatherings.

The design language of the ground floor engravings is carried into the office spaces, featuring curved bands of black granite, slate, and carpeted islands. The office area, which accommodates 40 workstations, is spread across three levels, which are connected by a sculptural vertical circulation core made of folded sheet metal, positioned within the central atrium.

 

Materiality & Construction

The architectural composition is enriched by boulders transported from the company’s quarries, which define specific pathways throughout the space. These boulders have been carefully processed to retain the essence of natural rock, evoking both the form and experience of traversing a quarry’s rugged landscape. This concept is further reflected in the detailing of elements such as rock sinks, slate blinds, and scales. The exhibition’s various surfaces are designed as a cohesive narrative, where materials serve as storytellers of the quarry’s lived experience. This approach creates layered references and meanings, conceptually tied to the material’s raw texture as well as the general tactile nature of architecture.

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.

Cultural reminiscence

The project is located in one of the largest rice-producing regions in the Mekong Delta and acts as a harmonious blend of modern architectural forms and local cultural elements. The residence serves not only as a retreat from the bustling city life of Saigon but also as a space deeply connected to the owner’s roots and the rich history of Tiền Giang.

 

Cultural Heritage

Tiền Giang, with its long-standing tradition of rice cultivation, has played an important role in Vietnam’s agricultural and economic development. Although the province has diversified into other agricultural sectors, rice farming continues to hold a significant place in the region’s cultural and historical landscape. As a result, the project incorporates materials closely tied to the region’s agricultural heritage, including rice straw panels, tầm vông (small bamboo), bamboo, bricks, and decorative stone mortars, thus reflecting the area’s past and serving as a bridge between generations. During construction, the collaboration with local craftsmen as well as the utilization of local resources and materials resulted in the development of an exposed brick wall style that is both cost-effective and aesthetically striking.

 

Design Philosophy

The project’s design philosophy revolves around the idea of a “living home”, i.e., one that is continuously evolving and being nurtured, much like a bird that diligently builds and maintains its nest. The unfinished walls and windows symbolize the ongoing process of creating and completing the residence, acting as a reminder that the space will always be a work in progress, and making room for change and adaptability.

 

Sustainable Design

The design integrates modern architectural elements with the surrounding natural environment. A central atrium promotes natural airflow, while greenery planted throughout the house, preserves a cool and airy atmosphere within the living space. This approach is relatively new for rural areas in southern Vietnam, bringing a sense of peace and thermal comfort to the home.

Following the terrain

The new five-star Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa Hotel, set on a 22-acre mountainside in Plaka Elounda, overlooks the island of Spinalonga. Designed with a modern approach that harmoniously blends local tradition and architecture, the resort’s main goal is to evoke the relaxing ambiance of a village.

 

Context Integration

The plot’s steep slope, along with an innovative architectural design, ensures that all rooms enjoy unobstructed views of the sea and Spinalonga. The hotel is developed in harmony with the land’s topography, consisting of six tiers: the main building divided into volumes across a series of levels, four groups of separate buildings, and a cluster of villas.

Each group comprises smaller building volumes, thoughtfully arranged to facilitate easy pedestrian access to the double overground inclined lift that connects all levels of the hotel. This lift, offering panoramic views, serves as the main access for pedestrian traffic, while club cars provide a complementary, non-intrusive mode of transportation.

 

Material Selection

The design prioritizes privacy, maximizes the stunning views, and respects the natural surroundings through extensive use of traditional materials. The unique local stone, with its geometrically fragmented rock forming the exterior walls, is balanced by softer interior elements: volcanic black pebbles in the spa, small white pebbles on the main staircase, and green-black pebbles on the lobby bar floor and in the shops. Pergolas crafted from distinctive wicker wood further enhance this harmony. The exterior color palette blends seamlessly with the environment, using gray tones for the pathways and corridors, and a range of olive greens throughout the main building and restaurants.

 

Hotel Amenities

The hotel has 64 rooms and suites, all including a private heated pool and a large outdoor area with uninterrupted sea views as well as 6 three-room villas with a gym and a pool and, finally, one large villa with a sauna, a pool, a gym, a separate kitchen and a large outdoor area. The hotel also features three restaurants, a spa, a gym and two modern meeting rooms for 160 and 30 people respectively as well as two large, public swimming pools.

Monochromatic interior

The project involves a complete interior and exterior transformation of an existing hotel in Plovdiv, formerly known as Hotel Nord.

 

Design Approach

The building is located in a key area near the International Fair. The neighbourhood is characterized by solid facades and inner courtyards at the back of the properties. Previously, the hotel’s inner courtyard was enclosed by a solid roof, creating a low-ceiling dining area that lacked natural light. The goal of the project is to modernize the look and branding of the hotel so that it reflects the new values it stands for.

 

Context Integration

The building aims to establish a conceptual connection with its urban context and become an elegant and contemporary place for relaxation. The façade is radically redesigned, while preserving its original geometry. More specifically, the white colour lightens the building’s heavy appearance, which is dominated by solid walls. Vertical aluminium profiles add depth and dynamism to the facade, breaking its monotony. Additionally, hinged panels in front of the windows will be placed in order to filter light into the interior and enhance the facade’s dynamic composition.

 

Material Palette

The sense of spaciousness in the courtyard is improved by replacing the bulky roof with glazing. Within the interior, the design draws inspiration from the timeless architecture of ancient Plovdiv. Light shades and a dominant white colour help visually expand the spaces, creating a calm and relaxing atmosphere throughout the hotel. The interior is designed as a bright, monochromatic space, with dynamic contrasts achieved through a variety of textures that provide a rich tactile experience. The surfaces range from smooth to highly textured, referencing the local syenite stone found at the hills of Plovdiv. Traditional lime mortar, a material dating back to the Roman and Byzantine eras, is used for the flooring and some of the furniture pieces, adding an homage to the architectural heritage of the city.

Perforated facade

Located in the heart of Mallorca (Balearic Islands), the project consists of 54 social housing homes with a parking space on a municipality-owned, rectangular-shaped plot of 3,266m2.

 

Design Philosophy

The proposal resolves two fundamental challenges: a precise building integration into the urban and natural environment, and a solution that tackles the functional aspects of the program. The building is organized along a north-south axis, where two independent volumes form a large public space in-between them. Within the two structures, the housing modules are centered around a wet core, seamlessly blending with the site’s characteristics.

 

Construction & Materials

The building structure is made of a reticular system of 35cm thick concrete slabs with large spans, and metal pillars that offer flexibility for any future reconversion needs. Each home has an outdoor space: a private garden on the ground floor, and terraces and patios on the upper floors, which help regulate the outdoor temperature through passive strategies. The selected finishes and materials are sourced through the local industry, prioritizing circular economy over convenience.

 

Sustainable practices

In respect to the climate crisis, the project features NeZB efficiency, a water recycling system, waste reduction practices, and a 50% decrease of CO2 emissions due to the careful material selection (compared to buildings with similar characteristics). The façade is comprised of a double ceramic sheet with recycled cotton insulation as well as cork and lime coarse developed by local companies. The shades are made of larch wood manufactured by local craftsmen. Finally, a sustainable aerothermal system offers ample ventilation across all spaces, with minimal energy consumption.

Holiday Lagoon

This summer residence is located directly in front of the beach, on the east coast of Antiparos island. The design concept is inspired by the evocative effect of water ripples, -as if the building was dropped into a pool of water creating ripples of sweeping garden walls- that expand across the landscape.

 

Design Philosophy

As life on the island is essentially open-air, minimal separation is created between indoors and outdoors. The design reinforces the pleasing qualities of the natural surroundings. A pool mirrors the beach located directly in front. Earth tone materials in a variety of textures are implemented: local stone with a unique golden color, soft white troweled plaster surfaces, typical of Cycladic architecture, and leaf ceilings.

 

 

Sustainability Approach

New innovative technologies maximize sustainable design solutions and address the demands of present and future living. A smart wastewater treatment system naturally purifies domestic wastewater through hydrophilic plants. Other equally uncommon features for an island home are electric carport charging stations and infrastructure for a photovoltaic system. This system operates silently and provides solar power covering 100% of the house needs in electricity, heating and cooling, with zero emissions. Additionally, eco-friendly elements such as the roof garden and rain collecting cisterns for the irrigation are an integral part of the design.

 

 

Technological Integration

All home functions are facilitated through Internet of Things (IoT). Everything, from lighting and temperature, to locks and security, can be monitored remotely. LED lighting is used throughout. A unique smart water fountain combined with a central audio system form a dramatic audiovisual choreography of perpetual light and water projections in and around the pool. The residence is a haven away from the fast pace of everyday life.

 

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.

Timeless structure

In the medieval settlement of Avgonyma on the island of Chios, a two-storey stone residence has been meticulously restored, through delicate and precise interventions which preserved its authentic, original form.

 

Restoration Strategy

Following the typical architectural style of the period, the ground floor was originally used for housing animals and storing goods, while the upper floor served as the family’s living quarters. The entire structure is built with load-bearing masonry using local stone, featuring thick 85cm walls and an elongated vaulted roof. The building is comprised of four rooms -two on each level- and a total footprint of 14m2. The ground floor room, used for the animals, was primarily built on rock, while a sloping staircase that led to the first floor via a wooden mezzanine and a fireplace have been completely destroyed.

 

Functional Organization

The project’s aim is to re-occupy the building, while preserving its traditional architectural features, emphasizing its unique character as well as providing comfortable living conditions and timeless aesthetics. The lower level includes the dining area, office, kitchen, a small storage room, and a bathroom, while the upper level was allocated for the living room and bedroom. The rock floor on the ground level was removed to make the space more livable and was replaced by solid brick. The mezzanine floor was reconstructed, and the walls were coated with white lime paint to improve the breathability of the masonry, while retaining their texture.

 

Custom structures

Handcrafted furniture and artwork were selected to decorate the interior, while fixed equipment was integrated into the existing structure. A new cast iron wood stove was installed on the ground floor, utilizing the existing chimney to meet the heating needs and provide a warm atmosphere. The stonework on the exterior was carefully grouted, and the original dimensions of the openings were preserved. The form of the building remained unchanged, while minor interventions were carried out in the courtyard.

Modern tradition

The project is a single-family house located in a small Portuguese village in the south of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. Its rural character embodied by low and traditional constructions is affected by out-of-scale buildings from the 1980s, informing the new design.

 

Architectural Form

The existing buildings guide the project, whose aim is to replace the original house with a contemporary residence strategically positioned within the area to avoid direct exposure to the immediate neighborhoods. The design follows the village’s architectural identity as well as the plot’s longitudinal shape, creating a simple, minimal building with a pitched roof.

 

Functional Organization

Programmatically, the project is divided in two clear zones: the service spaces -bathrooms, closets, circulation areas, kitchen- are located on the northern side of building, where the facades are composed of small openings to ensure privacy from the main road. To the south, the living room, office and bedrooms gradually open up towards the garden through a series of large windows, while the array of different ceiling heights, create different experiential moments within the space.

 

Material Palette

The materials and construction techniques follow the local traditions found in mediterranean villages. Hydraulic mosaic tiles and wood are used for the interior flooring, enhancing the natural light entering the building, while a divider made of stone is constructed in-between the street and the residence, unifying the complex and connecting the parking area to a vertical volume -a clear allusion to the original oven house.

Resilient exterior

The aim of the project is to design a watchtower as a prototype for future structures situated in the Melanos hill -an ideal location offering panoramic views of the southern areas of Akamas.

 

Design Prototype

The Akamas peninsula is a unique part of the island due to its diverse selection of flora and fauna, which led to its integration in the Natura 2000 protected areas network. Τhe proposal is developed through a contextless design approach: it occupies a small footprint, includes a raised viewing platform, which provides unobstructed views in all directions and finally, serves as a shelter for the harsh weather conditions.

 

Spatial Organization

The ground floor is composed of a cluster of independent volumes constructed out of reinforced concrete and cladded with local stone that divide the base into three distinct sections. A sheltered staircase leads to the upper level, which includes the staff WC, a water tank, as well as solar panels.

A rectangular balcony wraps around the watchtower and is shielded by a cantilevered roof that offers unobstructed panoramic views of the landscape. The room, located centrally on this level, is made of cross laminated timber and cladded externally in thermally treated timber boards, featuring a compact kitchen and counter. The space offers shelter during severe weather conditions, while maintaining a clear visual field through large openings and a raised floor.

 

Material Selection & Fire Protection

The material palette that was selected highlights the local natural materials and integrates the building to the landscape. The roof, also made of cross laminated timber, is cladded with metal panels creating a durable exterior shell. Galvanized heavy-duty doors shield the ground floor when the building is not in use.

Sloping boundaries

The house is situated near the settlement of Agios Onoufrios, on a sloping plot overlooking the sea, and a north-northeast orientation. The use of stone as the primary building material and the design of the attic on the first floor were strategic choices to maximize the square meters utilized within the plot.

 

Building Orientation

The steep topography determines the orientation and placement of the residence on the plot, which is developed on the north-south axis, offering panoramic views to the sea, while avoiding any direct visual interaction with the adjacent buildings.

 

Layout Organization

The entrance to the house is located in the bright, “back” garden, which includes an outdoor sitting area and kitchen, a barbeque, and a swimming pool. On the east side there is a jacuzzi and outdoor cinema. The building consists of two volumes of the same shape, both slightly shifted on the north-south axis. Four large, tilted stone walls define the form, while the sloping roof is the only morphological element that “escapes” from the strict boundaries, marking a “translucent” entrance that acts as a circulation space leading to all three levels. The double-height ground floor is organized in an open layout and includes the kitchen, dining and living room, as well as two bedrooms with private patios and a shared bathroom. The first floor consists of an office with spectacular sea views, and an en-suite master bedroom with a walk-in closet. In the basement there is a parking area, a gym and changing rooms, a wine cellar and ample storage space.

 

Local materials

The interior walls and ceilings are finished with colored plaster. In parallel, industrial flooring is used in all areas, the furniture is made of oak, and white marble is the primary material for all countertops and bathroom surfaces. Externally, in addition to the local stone cladding, the building is layered with thermal insulation, while Corten is used to frame the openings. Indirect lighting is chosen externally and internally to highlight the natural materials and create a relaxing atmosphere.

The spatial orientation, the innovative window systems, the exterior insulation as well as the installation of photovoltaic panels establish the building as a highly energy efficient structure and classify it as a partly bioclimatic residence.

Symmetrical forms

The house is located on a north-facing plot in a suburban area of the city of Chania, with intense relief and interesting views to the nearby mountains and olive groves.

 

Design Philosophy

The design approach focuses on creating clean and functional floor plan, in which the interior space becomes the central core of the residence. The continuous and unobstructed circulation between the different interior and exterior spaces provides interesting variations of views, light, and shadow, as well as informal moments for communication and interaction. Additionally, by placing the bedrooms in autonomous wings ensures different levels of visual and acoustic privacy.

 

Building Morphology & Layout

The residence displays an almost perfectly symmetrical form, which, apart from being a morphological choice, also serves the functional organization. The three-part arrangement of the volumes places the living and reception areas in the center, while the side wings accommodate the bedrooms and other auxiliary uses.

Inside, the functions are organized around a central core, framed by four clear movement axes. The main area is located at a slightly lower level than the entrance, a design choice that ensures both a comfortable ceiling height as well as direct access from the entrance. The living, dining room and kitchen are arranged in a triangular shape, ensuring a continuous flow, while the bedrooms are isolated by parallel corridors.

 

Exterior Design

The interior and exterior spaces are seamlessly integrated. The swimming pool is placed in the northern part of the plot, to take advantage of the view and provide privacy. In addition to the pool terrace, side patios are enclosed by perforated cages, acting as private courtyards. The material selection is compatible with the surrounding landscape, its history and architectural heritage.

Secluded shelter

The boutique resort in Agia Pelagia, built along a rocky peninsula, consists of 49 suites and villas. It was designed as an elegant and secluded retreat, with unobstructed views and complete privacy.

 

Design Aesthetic

The building’s architecture perfectly integrates it with the rocky landscape, placing it in constant dialogue with nature through the choice of materials, textures, and colors. The hotel’s design draws inspiration from the harmonious blend of organic traditional and contemporary elements, infused with the raw character of the Cretan landscape where it is built.

 

 

Material Palette

During construction, natural materials, such as the local Mylopotamos stone and the antique Egyptian Sinai marble were used for the flooring, while Phaistos marble was used for the custom-made furniture placed throughout the different rooms. All metallic components are painted in rusty tones and have Corten details, while the sound-insulating hidden aluminum frames frame the sea through large windows, allowing plenty of natural light to fill the interior spaces. Woods such as chestnut from Mount Athos, reed wicker, solid oak and niangon complete the composition, while coats of polished concrete in earthly tones are used for the interior walls.

 

 

Functional Organization & Sustainability

The communal wellness facilities include a heated indoor swimming pool, a 300m2 yoga room made entirely of bamboo, a hammam cladded with Sinai marble slabs and rainforest green -following the spirit of the Byzantine tradition- and a gym.

The sustainable thermal façade, along with the KNX automation systems, effectively lowers electricity usage. The ample water features located in the public spaces as well as the private rooms improve the overall humidity levels, fostering better microclimate conditions in both indoor and outdoor spaces, while controlling abrupt temperature fluctuations. The integration of pergolas used for shade, outdoor seating, rock gardens filled with Cretan herbs and typical Cretan architectural elements such as domes and arches, create a journey of simplicity and subtle luxury.

 

Life in the in-between space

The complex consists of three residences with private pools built on a lush hillside. To accommodate the steep terrain and maximize ocean views, the buildings were strategically arranged in parallel, staggered formations, guaranteeing uninterrupted views from every level.

 

Design Morphology

Each house consists of a monolithic stone block with an inset single-pitched roof, parallel to the other two buildings. The distance between them creates intermediate spaces, such as entrance courtyards and terraces that are oriented towards the sea. A series of openings in the inner courtyards provide panoramic views of the sea and the pool terrace, facilitating visual connections between the primary outdoor living areas that surround the space. This duality between the two main living spaces and the residence in the middle was a key design theme: two courtyards used during different times of the day, in visual and functional continuity with the interior of the house, overlooking the sea.

 

Interior Layout

In its interior, the house is divided into three levels, following the slope of the ground. At the main entrance level there is an open-plan space, which includes the living area and kitchen. At its center, a wooden staircase leads to the attic of the first two houses, acting both as a visual divider between the spaces as well as a built-in sofa with space for storage.

 

Natural Materials

The most predominant materials are stone, excavated from the site, wood and lightweight metal structures. The contrast between the metal elements and the large glass openings with the solid stone walls, highlights the composition and offers a sense of lightness to the space.

Cultural regeneration

At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, Tacuba became one of the wealthiest areas of Mexico City and was home to large country houses that over time were gradually abandoned. One of these “ruins” was Mar Mediterraneo 34.

 

Building Restoration

Built in 1910 in an eclectic French style belonging to the Porfiriato era, the building currently holds great historical value. Consequently, the project aim was to renovate it, preserving its distinct architectural character. The house was initially split in two volumes, where the first incorporates the main facade while the second is oriented towards the main patio. The spaces were meticulously restored, using primarily contemporary materials. The façade’s carved balconies, iron railings and large windows were preserved and rebuilt, rehabilitating the house’s urban image.

 

Interior Design & Layout

The interior design bridges historical elements and contemporary architecture. In the existing patio, a large volume is constructed, framing the sky, and restoring the old entrances leading to the ground floor. The new openings are double in height, controlling the light and privacy of the space. The house extends in three floors and includes seven apartments in different typologies: a loft, a studio, a family apartment, and a penthouse. The different spaces extend around the three interior courtyards, visually interacting with the historic façades and becoming imbued with ample natural light.

 

Sustainable Design

The project addresses sustainability through the reappropriation and recycling of existing materials. In parallel, it pays close attention to the building’s sociocultural history and impact of the site, aiming to contribute to Tacuba’s urban regeneration.

Sustainable heritage

The residence was originally part of a historic palace located in Chianti, Florence. During the 20th century, it was remodeled as part of an energy redevelopment initiative, leading to radical interventions that obscured its historic elements. This contemporary renovation aims to restore the character of this traditional historic Chianti houses as well as improve the building’s energy performance.

 

Layout Restoration

The design reinstates the continuity and fluidity of the space. The ground floor has an open-plan layout and consists of the living, dining and kitchen area connected by a series of new and existing large square openings that lead to a private garden. The openings are embellished with metallic edge bands. A double-sided fireplace replaces the old, historic one and becomes the focal point of the space.

The first floor is accessed through an old, preserved staircase made from stone. The space is stripped back to its original form and revolves around a single loadbearing wall. It houses two bedrooms with a shared bathroom and one en-suite with a large, private office overlooking the garden.

 

Local Materials

During reconstruction, traditional local materials were used such as terracotta tiles, chestnut wood, stone, and lime mortar. The old façade openings were traced and eventually restored to maximize the natural light entering the space as well as its connection to the surrounding landscape. Many incongruous elements constructed during the 20th century restoration were reinstated to their original typology. Part of the walls were cladded in handmade terracotta bricks manufactured in Imprunenta. The roof was reinforced with the same local chestnut wood and was further insulated using high-density wood fiber.

 

Elevating energy performance

An additional challenge was to increase the building’s energy efficiency using materials and design solutions that were compatible with its historic character. Instead of creating an external thermal coat, a plaster layer of lime and cork was applied to both the interior and exterior walls, adapting perfectly to their complex form and texture. New single-leaf windows in wood and aluminum minimized any thermal losses. Finally, the installation of new radiant panels led to cleaner, minimal spaces adherent to the building’s historic character.

Helical route

The house is located on a steep slope, at the eastern slopes of Pantokrator, on the northeastern side of Corfu, in a stepped olive grove, benefiting from the midday view to the bay of Nisaki and across to Corfu Town.

 

Design philosophy

The route from the coast to the olive grove follows an uphill course on narrow roads that constantly wrap around stone terraces. The layout of the house is “Z” shaped, both horizontally and vertically, in continuation of this route. Three long blocks of similar dimensions are placed on the highest part of the plot, to maximize the openings facing the view.

 

 

Building morphology

The ground floor volume is below ground and made of stone, forming a solid base to support the slope behind it, as a continuation of the existing dry-stone walls. The lighter upper volume, is offset towards the mountain, creating canopies and balconies.

In front of them, a second ground floor volume follows a hybrid logic, and has large sliding openings recessed behind walls of exposed concrete, shifted in relation to the rear volumes and creating a sequence of outdoor, transparent passages that alternate and diffuse the boundaries between interior and exterior. The hybrid logic of the two-story spaces enhances the views and maximizes the experience of weather-protected living next to nature.

 

 

Local materials & Roof Design

The material palette attempts to balance the strict geometry of the design logic and the exuberance of the natural Corfu landscape: pebbled floors, local stone, earth-toned cement and black anodized metal elements. Three walls of exposed concrete anchor the building to the landscape and balance the horizontal canopies that extend towards the view. The choice of a flat roof instead of the traditional sloping one, visually minimizes the landscape intervention and contrasts with the steep slope of the land as well as the verticality of the cypress trees, scattered inside the olive grove.

 

Typological crossing

The 200m² house is located in a gently sloping olive grove in the southern Peloponnese. The project is formed by a single continuous rippling wall that frames a series of protected courtyards at the extremity of each wing, combining elements of a gallery with a monastery typology of enclosed gardens.

 

Building morphology

The project combines two extreme conditions which complement one another: the courtyards that provide meditative enclosure, and the west wing and roof that, in contrast, offer unobstructed panoramic views towards the sea. The X-shaped massing divides the site into four distinct areas providing the eastern gardens with visual intimacy and variable shading throughout the day.

 

Masonry formation

The wall surface is animated by cast concrete ripples whose amplitude diminishes along the length of the facade. The course of the sun creates a play of shadows throughout the day. The rippling wall acts as a backdrop for tree shadows. The height of the project is constrained to the peak of the surrounding olive trees, whilst maintaining panoramic views to the sea from an accessible roof terrace. In its deployment, the wall elevation varies as it is gradually sunken into the terrain, tapering the height of the facade to 1.2m at the end of each wing. The excavated earth was recuperated to create a tapered transition enabling a softer integration of the project within the agrarian landscape.

 

Functional organization and interior design

The west wing contains the public areas as well as a large opening towards the sea and the south terrace. Internally, each room is extended by a terrace and courtyard. The room wall projects outward and folds to frame a lemon tree. The absence of corners and the continuity of the wall provide spatial expansion. The curved walls frame the changing sky color and light, inducing a strong presence of the sky within the interior.

 

Prefabrication and local materials

The project was constructed by local contractors supported by the architects’ experience with digital design and fabrication of non-standard parts. The architects collaborated with a company specializing in polystyrene products ranging from infrastructure to the fishing industry. This strategy enabled the off-site production using digital hot-wire cutting of important constructive elements such as the concrete formwork used to cast the rippling wall, bespoke lighting elements contained within the ceiling, landscape formers as well as bespoke furniture items. The lightness of the formwork enabled ease of transport and installation in a couple of days by a reduced team. Following the casting of the concrete, all the formwork was then re-cut into sheets and reused as insulation within the wall cavity and ceiling. This strategy allowed for a minimal use of industrially produced building parts, instead favoring a local supply chain. The project made use of locally sourced materials such as concrete, and terrazzo amongst other products from the local marble industry.