Sustainable hospitality

Tella Thera redefines Mediterranean hospitality through an architectural idiom that is rooted in tradition while remaining firmly oriented toward sustainability. Conceived as a retreat outside Chania, the project explores how cultural memory and contemporary design can converge to create a new model of regenerative hospitality.

 

Context Integration

In full harmony with its natural setting, the design incorporates planted roofs with olive trees and Mediterranean vegetation across all buildings, enhancing thermal insulation, fostering biodiversity, and anchoring the project to its environment. The façades are articulated through a sequence of arches -both full and half forms- serving as abstract interpretations of the traditional geometries found in the Venetian and Ottoman architecture of Chania. This motif continues inside, where seamless microcement surfaces unify floors, ceilings, and walls.

The cave-like atmosphere evokes natural shelters, offering a tactile calmness in which light and shadow shape the spatial experience. A total of 21 luxury suites provide panoramic views and maximum privacy, embodying both cultural depth and environmental stewardship.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The project is guided by eco-emotional design, a philosophy in which ecological intelligence and emotional resonance are intrinsically linked. Passive design principles, natural ventilation, and microclimatic strategies minimize reliance on mechanical systems, while the landscape interventions preserve and reinforce the existing olive groves.

 

 

Lighting, Materials & Sustainability

Through interdisciplinary collaboration, every aspect, from lighting to branding, contributes to a holistic narrative, while sustainability consulting ensured that environmental responsibility and experiential richness evolved in tandem. The complex does not merely rest on the land; it grows out of it. Its architecture is grounded in a “sense of belonging,” allowing guests to experience luxury through authenticity and an intimate connection with Crete’s timeless landscape.

 

Central core

The complex is located in the seaside village of Matala, in southern Crete, surrounded by the area’s distinctive rocky formations that create a natural embrace around the site.

 

Design Philosophy

The primary starting point of the design was the creation of a cluster of small buildings oriented around a shared central courtyard, reminiscent of the protected square of a small village. As a direct reference to the values and heritage of “togetherness” and communal life in Matala, the project reinterprets the traditional Greek island neighborhood, shaping a contemporary lodging for today.

The building volumes are arranged to offer residents privacy while simultaneously encouraging coexistence and interaction in the shared courtyard. The relationships formed between the structures generate open and enclosed living spaces -both private and communal- each with its own distinct character.

 

 

Spatial Organization

Access to the complex is through a courtyard gate on the southern side of the plot, a feature of traditional Cretan architecture. Along the perimeter of the courtyard are the entrances to the individual apartments, each leading to a private patio with a pool and views toward Matala’s iconic rock formations. External staircases connect the upper-level apartments to the common gathering area on the ground floor.

 

 

Material Palette

Natural plasters and materials, such as wood and locally sourced stones, were used throughout the wall surfaces of the buildings and the surrounding enclosure, providing a variety of textures. The selected color palette enhances the integration of the architecture into the landscape, harmonizing with the natural tones of the surrounding rocky and sandy formations. Finally, the construction relied primarily on local crews and craftsmen.

 

Baroque reflections

Semiramis, owned by collector Dakis Joannou, belongs to a portfolio of unique hotels designed by internationally acclaimed designers. When it first opened in the early 2000s, Karim Rashid’s bold interior design caused a stir in Kifissia, challenging the prevailing suburban aesthetics. Over time, a series of renovations gradually disconnected the bar-restaurant from the hotel’s original identity. The new space, Koumkan, is once again woven into the DNA of Semiramis, reflecting contemporary cultural, gastronomic, and social trends of Athens.

 

Design Philosophy

Koumkan combines the singular identity of Semiramis with the timeless atmosphere of grand hotel lounges, reframed through a minimalist lens. By staging a sequence of distinct atmospheres, it creates a microcosm that encapsulates the character of iconic hotel reception spaces around the world. Visitors descend a travertine staircase toward a garden that is reflected in the mirrors cladding the wall.

A large revolving door leads into the Foyer, a soft pink reception space illuminated by gentle, diffuse lighting. Two symmetrically composed travertine slabs, framed by mirrors, articulate the notion of luxury through an emphatic gesture, highlighting the inherent value of an almost empty space. A concealed door opens to the Parlor, the first bar area, entirely clad in dark green Tinos marble. This stone -long considered inexpensive due to its irregular discolorations- is transformed into banquettes, a DJ booth, shelving, and a bar, as if all had been carved from a single monolith. The mirrored ceiling expands the space, while vintage stainless-steel sconces and a custom chandelier offer warm, indirect light.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The room, reminiscent of an underground chamber, has an enclosed atmosphere that juxtaposes raw materials with refined details. Beyond the Parlor, two corridors frame the Grande Salle, a lounge, cocktail bar, and restaurant defined by its kaleidoscopic atrium, lined with 7-meter-high mirrors. Custom pendant lights with reflectors create the effect of a disco ball turned inside out. Curved banquettes form boomerang-shaped arrangements that appear to float above a light pink coconut-fiber carpet.

Freestanding banquettes in the center become focal points, while the tables along the walls offer enhanced privacy. A “banana bar” in pink travertine emerges within the space, accentuating its dynamic curves. The aesthetic of the Grande Salle draws inspiration from the abstract paintings of British artist William Streng, characterized by dark and light fleshy tones in patterns resembling skin markings.

 

 

Materials & Furnishings

Custom fabrics dyed using traditional techniques and textured plaster finishes intensify the space’s raw character. The Grande Salle extends into the Grotto, a sheltered outdoor lounge that connects the interior to the pool area. This cave-like environment is formed through the use of local materials and handcrafted treatments.

The Grotto wraps around the curve of the pool, evoking tropical modernism and the architectural heritage of the West Coast. Walls of peach-toned terracotta and pastel pink travertine amplify the warm hue of the lighting, while the pool bar, shaped like an inverted ziggurat, complements the laid-back, elegant design. Its level sits slightly below the pool waterline, positioning the eye at swimmer height and staging an intriguing visual interplay alongside the social ambiance. Throughout the project, a blend of antiques, commissioned artworks, and custom furniture revives the retro-futuristic character of the original Semiramis.

Standout elements include chrome-plated stainless-steel chairs inspired by the 1950s Mediterranean Riviera style, oversized ceramics by Elina Vassilaki, and mirrors by Olga Miliaressi-Foka. The space also features works by emerging artists from the Joannou collection, such as Elli Ioannou’s black chairs and Alexandra Ndore’s provocative Mama Issues at the entrance. Koumkan preserves the spirit of an interwar bar in Milan or Vienna, replacing traditional décor with an idiosyncratic architectural approach. Its spatial layout -with multiple sequential rooms, reflective ceilings, and a contemporary baroque sensibility- creates a new destination in Athens for both visitors and locals.

 

Principles of enclosed space

The residence is positioned within the local scale of the Lakatamia area in Nicosia, in a neighborhood characterized by empty plots, limited vegetation, and an abandoned old shoe factory directly across the street.

 

Design Philosophy

The initial design objective, shaped by the conditions of the area, was to create a single-storey home that centres on inwardness and privacy, while maintaining a direct connection between the interior and surrounding greenery. At the same time, the aim is to provide a safe and comfortable Mediterranean interior environment defined by lived experience, through a contemporary local architectural approach supported by modern systems and materials.

From the early stages, the design principles, developed in relation to the inhabitants’ needs, focused primarily on forming transitional open-air spaces and placing a main protective filter at the façade, referencing the character of a traditional boundary wall.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The spatial configuration offers organic flexibility, with public and private areas arranged in relation to a workspace volume that “suspends” itself as a focal point within the residence, allowing multiple movement paths. The inward-looking, through-ventilated layout and its relationship with the outdoor space create a core of privacy and security for the residents. The external walls, together with the eastern gabion wall filled with local stone, form a protective diaphragm separating public from private space, while the interior spaces extend toward the courtyards, ensuring cross-ventilation and natural light.

A central architectural feature of the interior is the workspace, which hovers as a wooden volume above the kitchen and the everyday living area. It functions as the secondary main use of the home, meeting the need for book storage and providing a dedicated study area for the residents.

Its placement above the kitchen and living space creates an interesting dynamic in the spatial experience. On one hand, the workspace remains visually connected to the broader living area; on the other, it retains a degree of privacy for its users. This dual condition encourages a balance between shared and personal space.

 

 

Exterior Design & Vegetation

One of the main architectural elements expressing the adaptability of the interior as it opens to the exterior is the set of foldable perforated shading panels. These allow residents to adjust privacy levels and control sunlight according to their needs.

The courtyards, functioning as the key bioclimatic components of the residence, form the heart of the design. Positioned next to the communal areas and the bedrooms, they provide private outdoor zones for each room while allowing the flow of natural light and ventilation with privacy in mind. Planted with low-growing Cypriot vegetation, the courtyards create microclimates that bring natural greenery into the home. In this way, the residence “embraces” the natural environment, achieving an organic continuity with the landscape.

 

Subdued atmosphere

The project was conceived as a calm, cohesive living environment where the interior reinforces a sense of clarity and visual ease.

 

Design Philosophy

The aim was to create a home that feels open and grounded, allowing the surrounding landscape to guide the mood of the interior spaces. The approach emphasizes clean lines, gentle transitions, and a subdued atmosphere that invites reflection and comfort.

The design strengthens the relationship between the house and its surroundings. The long terrace becomes an intermediary zone that blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior. Framed views, generous glazing, and thoughtful orientation ensure that the natural landscape remains an integral part of the living experience.

 

 

Functional Layout

The house unfolds along a linear circulation axis, with all primary rooms arranged in sequence. This layout supports intuitive movement while preserving visual continuity between the interior and the outdoors. Large openings frame the surrounding landscape, enabling natural light to define the spatial experience throughout the day.

All living functions are organized along a main corridor that connects the entrance area with the communal zones and private rooms. Each space is clearly defined yet visually linked, allowing for smooth transitions and unobstructed flow. The large terrace running the length of the house extends daily life outdoors and reinforces the connection with the garden.

 

 

Materials & Colors

The atmosphere is shaped by natural textures and a restrained palette of muted tones. Surfaces emphasize warmth and tactility, creating a sense of calm. The neutral composition provides a backdrop that allows art, light, and shadow to play an essential role in the perception of each space.

 

Sculptural imprint

The residence seeks to spatially capture the encounter between memory and oblivion, emerging from the lived experiences of its place, where the play of childhood years was transformed into a tangible architectural intention. It is a gesture rooted in light, air, the immaterial, and the silence of the Mediterranean hinterland.

 

Design Philosophy

The project is located in Kato Deftera, on the outskirts of Nicosia, in an area defined by a mild, dry Mediterranean microclimate and a landscape of low valleys and plains. Agricultural use of the land persists, engaging in a dialogue with the new residential fabric. The house does not intrude; it integrates, allowing the site to remain the protagonist.

The design process begins with the floor plan, which structures the logic of dwelling through a typologically compact, disciplined core. Two distinct single-storey volumes, placed in parallel, define an intermediate courtyard that becomes the spatial and experiential heart of the home.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The volumes accommodate the primary functions of the residence, while two “boundary walls” complete the inward-looking envelope, establishing conditions of protection and seclusion. The plan rejects unnecessary circulation areas, guiding movement through clear, intentional functional zones. Living centers around the courtyard: a solar, social, collective, and at the same time introspective space.

The house unfolds from the inside out, with the unbuilt perimeter zone acting as a natural buffer. Vegetation is planned to engage with the built form, offering organic integration into the landscape and softening the presence of the structure over time. Orientation follows bioclimatic principles: living spaces face south, opening to the courtyard; service spaces are arranged to the north, overlooking the plain and Mount Pentadaktylos. The first volume, oriented toward the street, forms the façade and filters contact with the public realm. It houses storage, an atelier, technical areas for the swimming pool, and an outdoor kitchen.

 

 

Materiality & Geometry

The residence does not seek to impress; it rejects material excess, superficial textures, and verbose geometries. Its architectural language is rooted in simplicity, spatial clarity, and the primacy of light. Set upon a modest plinth of exposed concrete, it becomes a sculptural invention, a gentle imprint within the landscape. A structure that listens and remembers.

 

Well-being as design principle

The design of the pharmacy seeks to shape a spatial environment that surpasses the conventional association of pharmacies with clinical sterility. Its architectural approach is anchored in the concept of well-being, which serves as the project’s guiding design principle.

 

Design Philosophy

Inspired by the broader idea of living well, the composition develops through natural textures and warm tonalities, creating an atmosphere that is both inviting and human-oriented. This holistic view of health, embracing physical, psychological, and social dimensions, is translated into space through subtle references to nature, which act as the conceptual and aesthetic foundation of the project.

 

 

Spatial Layout

The 67 m² program is organized into two distinct zones: the main pharmacy and product-display area, and a sequence of auxiliary rooms including a workspace, kitchenette, restroom, and storage. At the core of the primary space, a low central island structures circulation while incorporating both display and storage functions. The service counter is aligned axially with the entrance, ensuring a direct visual connection and a seamless flow between interior and exterior. Perimeter shelving is arranged in precise geometric lines with integrated storage components, supporting both functional clarity and a clean visual identity.

 

 

Materials & Façade Design

The selected palette and color strategy aim to foster an atmosphere of warmth, familiarity, and calm. Soft green hues, neutral beige surfaces, transparent elements, and subtly textured finishes create a balanced dialogue throughout the space. Additional custom-designed furnishings – including the central island, the service counter, and seating pieces – follow a shared design language composed of a green base, a storage volume, and a wooden top, forming a cohesive functional ensemble.

The façade is defined by a green metal lattice divided into four panels that symbolically reference the form of herbal leaves, an aesthetic and conceptual nod to the natural origins of pharmaceutical products. Acting as both an expressive surface and a protective screen, the metal structure alludes to nature and the idea of wellness while providing the necessary security of the premises. By replacing the conventional shutter with a more organic gesture, the design allows the spatial narrative, one that connects health with balance, nature, and serenity, to be perceived even before entering the store.

 

Discrete presence

“A balcony to the sea, an observatory over the passage.”

Set within a six-acre olive grove on a steep slope overlooking the narrow strait of northern Corfu, the residence is designed with deep respect for the island’s landscape and natural environment. Each morning, it frames the horizon as a living backdrop, with ships gliding slowly past as the sun rises. The primary challenge was to integrate the house discreetly into its surroundings – to honour the olive grove, to listen to the land and the sea, and to coexist with them rather than compete.

 

Design Philosophy

The architectural composition follows the contours of the terrain, with dry-stone walls shaping circulation and levels. The landscape set the logic: the walls traced the terraces, the olive grove defined the boundaries, and the sea established the rhythm. Two white linear volumes emerge from the rock like orientation markers, quietly aligning with the passing vessels. Water surfaces, timber elements, and planted roofs form a gentle imprint on the site, allowing nature to remain the leading presence.

The residence appears both present and discreet, with its main volume embedded within the slope, minimizing visual impact, especially from the road above. The built masses unfold gradually from the rear of the site toward the sea, the pool, and the exterior areas, following the natural gradient and incorporating strategic openings and cantilevers. The result is a dwelling that seems to rise from the rock, giving the impression of hovering above the hillside without disturbing the continuity of the olive grove. Approaching from the upper road, one encounters the entire planted roof merging seamlessly with the landscape and the sea beyond.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The residence is arranged across three levels, achieving both functional coherence and spatial privacy. The upper level contains the parking area, main entrance, master bedroom, a private pool, and a terrace. The terrace extends the bedroom outward, enabling a seamless flow between interior and exterior through expansive sliding openings that fully retract into the double walls, ensuring uninterrupted views of the olive grove and the sea.

The middle level accommodates the main living spaces: the sitting area, kitchen, two bedrooms, a guest room, and a large, cantilevered pool that visually merges with the horizon. The open-plan configuration, paired with full-height sliding glass panels, dissolves the boundary between inside and outside, maximizing interaction with the surrounding landscape.

The lower level is dedicated to recreation, including a gym with changing facilities, a screening room, and a billiard area. Despite being partially below grade, it receives abundant natural light. Illumination enters through the glazed side of the pool above, as well as through openings that reveal the exposed rock at the back of the house, further brightened by a skylight. An internal atrium between the staircase and the illuminated rock surface enhances daylight penetration and visually connects all three levels.

One of the residence’s most striking features is the main pool, suspended in a cantilever that creates the sensation of floating above the slope. Extending beyond the building envelope, it appears as a hovering sheet of water. The white cantilevered forms that define the pool become a signature element of the architectural identity.

 

 

Materials & Sustainability

The material palette maintains continuity with the natural landscape while ensuring durability and minimal maintenance. Local stone, exposed concrete, and muted grey tones anchor the house to the rocky terrain, while extensive timber decking brings warmth to the exterior. Stone retaining walls and pathways blend seamlessly with the land, enhancing the sense of continuity between built and natural ground. Planted roofs further contribute to the residence’s environmental integration within the olive grove.

A significant portion of the dwelling is built below ground level, and combined with proper orientation and planted roofs, this provides natural insulation that supports its bioclimatic performance. Solar-thermal systems and a bioclimatic shading canopy on the upper level offer full energy autonomy, reflected in the building’s A+ energy rating. The photovoltaic canopy, arranged along a north–south axis, achieves exceptionally low energy consumption, placing the residence within the category of a Zero Energy Building. Infrastructure for electric-vehicle charging and future energy-storage systems is already in place.

 

Symbolic routes

The redesign of the interior of Minos Palace Resort aimed to create an experience that activates emotion and the senses, marking the transformation of a traditional hospitality space into a curated world of emotional, physical, and spiritual renewal.

 

Project Aim

Designed as a “place of well-being,” the project reflects the international shift toward a lifestyle model grounded in scientific principles and serving as the foundation of a comprehensive hospitality experience. The brief called for the redesign of the common areas and wellness spaces as immersive, safe environments for personal transformation.

The masterplan was implemented in two phases: first with the renovation of the lobby, restaurant, bar, and pool lounge, and later with the development of Nao, the emotional core of the resort. The design translated the journey of self-awareness into an architectural experience through open-air panoramas, serene interiors, and earthy tones that evoke calm.

Introducing an element of surprise into a historically strict, rectilinear building posed a significant challenge. Built in the 1980s, the resort presented substantial constraints: immovable structural columns and an outdated circulation logic. Breaking free from this rigid framework was both a technical challenge and an innovative ambition.

 

 

Design Philosophy

To achieve this, a design approach of flow and continuity was adopted, visually embodied by the spiral—the symbol of the resort. The spiral inspired organic lines, fluid pathways, and sculptural forms that dissolve static geometry and reflect the infinite movement of life and nature. Architecture thus becomes an evolving experience: a 360° environment that flows inward toward introspection and outward toward the sea.

A similarly decisive intervention was the redesign of the entrance. The original staircase was replaced with an extended ramp, while the reception level was lowered and brought into alignment with the exterior floor, allowing visitors to immediately connect with the horizon, architecture, and sea upon entry. The result is a moment of revelation where the boundaries between built and natural environments dissolve. Moreover, the Nao facilities are accessible to both the local community and the staff, promoting a culture of care and solidarity.

Service flow in the restaurant and bar was subtly optimized for greater efficiency and connectivity. Service points were strategically positioned to improve circulation, while the open kitchen enhances transparency and direct interaction with guests, creating a more experiential gastronomic encounter.

 

 

Vegetation & Materials

To balance minimalism with warmth, soft lighting, natural textures, and curved lines were incorporated, ensuring a design that is both sustainable and welcoming. Materials such as polished concrete, soft plaster, large glass surfaces, and custom metal structures were selected for reasons of sustainability and tactile experience. In the outdoor areas, the integration of water and fire required precise mechanical design to ensure both safety and elegance. Dense bamboo planting created natural sound barriers and visual privacy. Lighting followed the same intent: suspended lanterns and illuminated pathways enhance the sense of calm and immersion.

 

Subterranean composition

The hotel, entirely carved into the earth, is located in Imerovigli, the settlement at the highest point of the caldera. It was developed within existing caves with the intention of offering a contemporary interpretation of the traditional cave-dwelling experience.

 

Design Philosophy

The main concept revolves around an organic, shell-like form that flows through the space and shapes the boundaries of the carved structure. This idea is emphasized through the use of a single material across all surfaces, softening transitions and adopting a color palette that echoes the natural stone of the existing caves. At the street entrance, a sharp-angled volume made of perforated masonry directs visitors toward the interior.

 

 

Functional Layout

The ground level is flat, with the volume of the building submerged within the landscape, enhancing its discreet presence. A circular courtyard surrounded by water becomes a focal point, referencing the island’s original name and shape, “Stroggili” (“Round”). Both the courtyard and a structural pillar mark the transition from the ground level to the subterranean areas. A descending staircase, with an intermediate seating landing, leads to a rotating axial door that opens into a 37-meter vaulted sloping corridor.

Ten rooms unfold along one of its long sides, while the opposite side hosts common and service areas, two staircases for vertical circulation, reception, spa, restrooms, an office, preparation spaces, and mechanical rooms. Natural light and air enter the corridor through five skylights in the ceiling, the only visual connection to the sky.

The artificial lighting does not follow a symmetrical axis relative to the vault; instead, it leans toward the room entrances. Repeated 360° light fixtures rhythmically segment the corridor. The room layout retains the traditional tripartite structure found in historic cave dwellings: upon entering, guests encounter the bathroom area, followed by the sleeping zone, and finally the living area.

 

 

Landscape Design & Sustainability

The vaulted form extends beyond the room boundary, creating a sheltered outdoor space with a private jacuzzi and seating for each suite. A monolithic cladding material and deep charcoal tones dominate the envelope, while linear artificial lighting cuts through the rooms, drawing attention toward the dramatic views of the caldera and Oia. The furnishings support a sense of calm and relaxation, with subtle notes of minimal luxury. The spa area follows the same design philosophy, where light reflected on the water surface and the water’s temperature evoke a primordial, womb-like atmosphere. Returning to the upper level, guests encounter individual daybeds, semi-private dining areas, shared lounge spaces, a bar, a pool, and restrooms.

Geothermal systems and advanced insulation methods make the complex bioclimatic, ensuring stable interior temperatures independent of outdoor conditions and achieving a positive environmental footprint.

 

Dividing volumes

The five-star resort is located between Chania and Rethymno, on the northern coast of Crete, within a 20,000 m² plot, of which 4,000 m² are developed. A central aspect and challenge of the design was the configuration of the rooms and their strategic orientation within this limited footprint.

 

Design Philosophy

The architectural composition unfolds along the outer edge of the site’s developable zone. The southern boundary functions as a visual and acoustic buffer against the national road, while the northwestern section opens like a “fan,” maximizing the unobstructed views toward the sea. The careful arrangement of the volumes creates a central, open-air atrium that provides natural ventilation and daylight across the complex.

 

Functional Design

The layout is organized around a primary central axis leading to the reception and shared facilities, such as the restaurant, the swimming pool, and beach access. All rooms face the sea, ensuring privacy and uninterrupted views, while the central pool forms the core of the composition, around which the restaurant, circulation routes, and guest rooms are arranged.

The fragmented building masses and the circulation paths connecting private and communal areas maintain a continuous spatial flow, meeting the resort’s operational requirements and offering varied routes of movement throughout the complex. The hotel entrance serves as a visual landmark, defined by a distinctive metal structure with diffused lighting that highlights its refined details.

 

 

Material Palette

Earthy tones and natural materials such as stone, wood, and cement coating define both the interior and exterior spaces, creating an atmosphere of warmth and tranquility. The architectural language, combined with the chosen materials, establishes a strong identity, presenting the resort as a contemporary and welcoming destination where comfort and design coexist harmoniously.

 

 

Seaside hospitality

Overlooking the unspoiled beach of Agia Paraskevi, the project integrates harmoniously into the emerald waters, rugged landscapes, and unique flora of the area. Emerging from low vegetation, shaped rocks, and natural sand dunes, it offers a serene retreat in this untouched bay.

 

Design Philosophy

The design approach is based on the harmonious union of aesthetics and functionality, with respect for the natural environment and the character of the place. Each space has been carefully designed to provide comfort, flexibility, and a natural flow between the living area, kitchen, and bedrooms, enhancing the sense of freedom and tranquility. The design prioritizes the guest experience, creating conditions that allow both social interaction and privacy depending on individual needs. Spacious living areas, open kitchens, and well-organized bedrooms ensure fluidity and adaptability.

 

Custom Elements

Large glass surfaces take advantage of the views towards the Aegean, allowing natural light to flood the interiors and creating a strong sense of continuity between inside and out. Plants, natural decorative elements, and color palettes inspired by sand, rock, and wood strengthen the connection with the landscape.

 

Materials & Lighting

Materials such as exposed concrete, local stone, and warm wood combine with earthy tones and subtle textures, while a crafted patina adds depth and a sense of handmade detail. Lighting has been meticulously designed: concealed fixtures and ambient lamps create a warm, understated atmosphere that enhances the materials and textures of the space.

Every element of Cavo Ilya Villas reflects the philosophy of creating a place where serenity, elegance, and functionality coexist harmoniously, offering guests a distinctive experience of coastal living.

 

Gentle Adaptation

The hotel in Santorini, characterized by its clean geometric forms, embodies a distinctive built environment harmoniously integrated into the natural landscape, maintaining a dynamic dialogue with the island’s traditional architecture.

 

Design Philosophy

Occupying a site of approximately 17,000 m² in the Tholos area of Oia, the project adapts gently to the island’s terrain, defined by soft slopes and a northern orientation overlooking the Aegean Sea and the islands of Ios, Sikinos, and Folegandros. Located about 300 meters from the coast, the design is guided by a principle of respectful integration with the landscape. All buildings are single-story, following the contours of the ground, and finished in tinted plaster derived from local volcanic soil in a red-ochre hue that echoes the color of Santorini’s rock formations. Each unit was designed to enjoy unobstructed sea views while the building volumes provide natural protection from the strong northern winds typical of the summer months. These parameters shaped the siting, scale, and orientation of the entire complex.

 

 

Spatial Configuration

The composition forms a play of interlocking geometries, with shifting axes and angular edges that recall the density and rhythm of a traditional settlement – narrow passages and tightly linked buildings reinterpreted in a contemporary way. The resort includes 52 rooms, four of which are suites and two designed for accessible accommodation. Interiors feature expansive surfaces of ceramic flooring and cement coatings in earthy tones, complemented by oak wood details that add a sense of warmth. Embossed wall motifs behind the beds reinterpret local decorative traditions, maintaining the overall design’s dialogue between heritage and modernity. The shared areas include a reception, restaurant, shops, and a spa.

 

 

Planting & Pool Design

At the heart of the complex lies a central pool with an extensive wooden deck that functions as a communal plaza and focal point for the resort. Outdoor pathways ensure smooth and inclusive circulation, particularly for guests with mobility challenges. Vehicle access and parking are conveniently integrated into the design. The landscape features low native vegetation characteristic of Santorini, preserving the panoramic views, along with aromatic plants such as lavender that enhance the sensory experience and reinforce the serene atmosphere of the place.

 

Sensory design

The 100 m² residence occupies the sixth floor of a typical 1960s apartment building in central Athens, enjoying unobstructed views toward Mount Hymettus.

 

Renovation Strategy

Originally, the apartment consisted of a living–dining area, hall, enclosed kitchen, and two small bedrooms sharing a single bathroom. During the renovation, the internal partitions were removed to reposition the main living area at the front, allowing it to fully benefit from the eastern light of the building’s primary façade. The two bedrooms were reconfigured to include en-suite bathrooms, while the internal stair leading to the rooftop was relocated to the hall, providing direct and more functional access from the entrance.

 

 

Functional Organization

The interior is conceived as a composition of reflections and subtle transitions. The design aims both to expand the perceived scale of the space, creating visual depth, and to establish a dynamic environment shaped by the shifting qualities of natural light and the mirrored presence of the city. Large sections of the walls are clad in translucent mirrors to create a seamless visual connection between inside and outside, while colored or metallic glass surfaces further reinforce this spatial continuity.

To mark the transition into the private zones (the bedrooms) the rear part of the apartment adopts a calmer rhythm, with a softer palette and minimal, discreet furnishings, creating a space that absorbs the noise of the city and encourages a sense of retreat.

 

 

Material Palette

The original wooden flooring was replaced with wide, matte-finished oak planks, while the bedrooms were fitted with off-white carpeting. Dark-stained oak defines the cabinetry and built-in elements of the shared areas, complemented by matte and glossy beige lacquered surfaces in the more private rooms. Grey-brown marble and textiles in varied textures were chosen for the living room and kitchen, whereas beige and off-white marble and soft fabrics characterize the bedrooms and bathrooms. Smooth beige plaster covers all interior walls, bringing visual unity throughout the apartment. Ceramic, metallic accessories and colorful lighting fixtures serve as subtle accents that complete the overall atmosphere.

Through its sensory approach, engaging sight, touch, and sound, the redesign seeks to cultivate a more profound and enduring connection between the home and the ever-changing urban context in which it exists.

 

Sustaining heritage

Situated on a hill above Oropos, the residence harmonizes with its natural setting. The renovation avoided expansion, preserving the existing volume and respecting building regulations. The result is a modest, elegant dwelling that demonstrates how careful reuse can sustain heritage while supporting contemporary living and environmental awareness.

 

Design Philosophy

The project transforms a deteriorated 1970s prefabricated summer house into a light-filled, contemporary retreat overlooking the Evian Gulf. Respecting the original volume, the design balances preservation with renewal, embracing a bright, modern aesthetic inspired by the natural landscape. The intention was to redefine the house’s identity –  from an outdated seasonal home to a welcoming weekend refuge that connects with its surroundings in every season.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The house maintains its compact footprint while achieving openness through selective interior interventions. By removing suspended ceilings and exposing white-painted trusses, the design introduced vertical depth and natural light. Anchored functional zones (kitchen, library, fireplace) line the perimeter, freeing the central area for flexible living. Outdoor and indoor spaces merge through a shaded veranda and garden views.

Storage is fully integrated into the architecture, creating a calm and efficient space without loose furniture. A movable dining table, in vibrant coral-pink, acts as a flexible focal point for dining or working. Each intervention contributes to a coherent spatial narrative of comfort and adaptability.

 

 

Material Palette

The palette combines contrasts: dark terrazzo floors, white upper walls, and olive-green accents drawn from the surrounding groves. The color-band concept unifies the space –  darker materials ground the lower portions, while the white and pistachio tones evoke freshness and light. Functional materials shift subtly across the program, always remaining cohesive and tactile.

 

Two eras, one dialogue

The iconic Grace La Margna hotel, located on the main street of St. Moritz, has reopened its doors following an extensive renovation and expansion. The project breathes new life into a landmark dating back to 1906, originally designed by Swiss architect Nicolaus Hartmann, and elegantly bridges its historic legacy with a contemporary aesthetic. Hartmann’s original design balanced Art Nouveau influences with the traditional Heimastil style, highlighting authenticity and local craftsmanship at a time when St. Moritz’s architectural scene was marked by eclecticism.

 

Design Philosophy

Perched on the slopes of the Engadin valley, the hotel enjoys a strategic location next to the town’s historic railway station, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and offers panoramic views of the surrounding glaciers and alpine landscape. The architectural approach honors and enhances the building’s historic character while introducing a distinctly renewed identity. The composition consists of two wings: the meticulously restored original structure and a newly built extension, connected at their base by a generous terrace. The coexistence of old and new establishes a dynamic dialogue, with the extension, clad in beige Moleanos limestone, echoing the rhythm and proportions of the original façade.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The shared spaces, situated on the terrace level, serve as a seamless link between the hotel’s two entrances, ensuring a smooth transition from the historical to the modern setting. At the entrance of the original building, guests are welcomed by a sculptural granite and bronze reception desk, set against a backdrop of carefully restored wooden detailing. The main lounge retains numerous authentic elements, lake-view windows, marble fireplaces, Art Nouveau-inspired rugs, and crystal chandeliers, evoking the charm of early-20th-century hospitality. At the heart of the hotel’s social life lies Bar No. 5, defined by its striking Carrara marble counter and bespoke velvet seating, creating an atmosphere of understated luxury.

 

Custom Structures & Materials

Attention to detail and artisanal excellence define every aspect of the project. Custom furniture and handcrafted finishes, such as the traditional local sgraffito wall technique, reinforce the connection between place and craftsmanship. The dining venues draw inspiration from the region’s landscape. The View restaurant, a circular space with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, symbolizes the St. Moritz sun through a sculpted wooden ceiling radiating outward like beams of light. On the lower level, The Stack combines a bright seafood brasserie with a darker, moodier steakhouse, creating two distinct atmospheres unified by a focus on material richness and vintage accents.

The wellness area draws from the geological character of the Engadin valley, featuring a sculptural ceiling that mirrors the surrounding mountain ridges. Finally, the hotel’s 74 rooms, distributed across both wings, maintain a continuous dialogue with the alpine setting. In the historic wing, traditional materials and subtle Art Nouveau detailing coexist harmoniously with the refined modernity of the new extension, offering guests spaces that are both elegant and deeply connected to the natural beauty of St. Moritz.

 

Flowing Movement

The renovation of the Voula apartment involved the complete redesign and reconstruction of a two-bedroom residence within a 1988 apartment complex, aiming to accommodate the evolving needs of a growing family.

 

Design Philosophy

Both the spatial layout and the material expression of the apartment were reinterpreted to create a new environment tailored to the family’s daily rhythms and lifestyle. The boundary between the private areas and the open-plan living–dining–kitchen zone is defined by an elongated, curved walnut surface that introduces a sense of continuous, fluid movement throughout the interior. This sculptural element integrates the kitchen and wardrobe cabinetry, as well as the apartment’s main entrance door. A similar curved structure was designed in the master bedroom, seamlessly incorporating the wardrobe, a bookshelf, and a small work desk.

Material Palette

The bathrooms combine white and black marble, terrazzo, and resin, creating a refined yet tactile contrast. Oak flooring extends across all spaces, complementing the vertical walnut surfaces. In the living room, exposed concrete on the ceiling and central column adds a raw, architectural texture that balances the warmth of the wood.

 

 

Custom Structures

The fireplace was reimagined as a composition of a cast concrete bench supporting a metal box that forms the hearth. This central feature extends vertically into high shelving on both sides, emphasizing the interplay between solidity, precision, and material contrast.

 

 

Historical continuity

The traditional guesthouse occupies one of the most iconic buildings in the Old Town of Chania, dating back to the late 16th or early 17th century. The structure has been meticulously restored to preserve and showcase its historical character. Distinguished by the original stone columns on its façade, Aisha exudes a unique charm, specifically a refined blend of architectural influences that narrates the rich history of the area.

 

Functional Layout

The hotel features seven suites, five on the ground floor and two on the upper level, each named after the original function of the space in the historic building. The new layout embraces natural materials such as stone, wood, marble, and metal, while an earthy, neutral palette ensures a sense of warmth and luminosity. The design philosophy is rooted in the harmonious coexistence of old and new, aiming to evoke a subtle sense of nostalgia while offering contemporary comfort and elegance.

 

Adaptive Reuse Strategy

In keeping with this vision, several materials discovered on-site were carefully restored and repurposed, including the traditional cement tiles of the courtyard and a marble sink transformed into a washbasin. Original features, such as the wooden tsatmas (partition wall) along the first-floor corridor, the old fireplace in the “Fournos” suite, and the stone washing basin, also adapted into a washbasin, were reconstructed and preserved in their authentic form. The restoration process was carried out in close collaboration with local craftsmen, whose artistry and technical knowledge played a vital role in reviving the building’s historic essence.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The overall design strikes a delicate balance between contrasts, creating an atmosphere that feels simultaneously warm, authentic, and inviting. Every detail, from furniture and materials to decorative accents, has been thoughtfully selected to ensure a cohesive spatial narrative that encourages relaxation and a connection to the past. The intention behind Aisha Hotel is to offer guests a truly distinctive stay, immersed in the timeless beauty and tradition of Chania’s Old Town.

 

Small-scale dialogue

The project concerns a complex of two residences located in Kifisia, a northern suburb of Athens. The plot is surrounded by contemporary apartment buildings that coexist with lower-scale single-family houses and public green spaces.

 

Design Philosophy

The primary goal of the study was to ensure the autonomy and privacy of each residence through the formation of a structure that maintains a dialogue with the neighborhood’s small-scale character. The main compositional gesture focuses on shaping a unified and coherent volume, harmonized with the scale of the surrounding urban context. At the same time, selective subtractions from the initial building mass create open-air spaces that enhance the spatial quality of the dwellings. The use of part of the ground floor as a courtyard, combined with the sloped roof – typological elements characteristic of the area – helped define the final architectural composition.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The first residence unfolds entirely on the ground floor, establishing a close relationship with the garden and the immediate surroundings, while the second is arranged across the two upper levels, slightly recessed from the base volume to enrich the composition with depth and spatial layering. This vertical separation enhances both privacy and variety in everyday living. Each dwelling integrates semi-outdoor and covered areas that act as transitional thresholds between interior and exterior, creating a rhythm of openness and enclosure. These spaces are characterized by distinct atmospheres — shaded patios, balconies with framed views, and open terraces that capture the shifting daylight throughout the day. The dynamic interplay of light and shadow animates the architectural volumes, revealing their sculptural quality. In parallel, the landscaping follows the same design philosophy: carefully selected vegetation, permeable surfaces, and subtle level differences collaborate to regulate temperature and airflow, contributing to a pleasant microclimate and reinforcing the dialogue between architecture and nature.

Context Integration

The design thoughtfully responds to the plot’s orientation and the surrounding urban context, balancing openness with privacy. Each residence is carefully arranged to define distinct public and private realms while maintaining a sense of spatial fluidity. Openings are strategically placed to enable cross ventilation, bathe interiors in natural light, and frame curated views toward the garden and neighboring greenery. These visual corridors extend the living spaces beyond their physical limits, fostering a constant dialogue between architecture and landscape. Through this sensitive integration, the project achieves both environmental efficiency and a poetic connection to its setting — a quiet choreography of light, air, and material continuity.

 

Sequential experience

The project explores the relationship between architecture, craftsmanship, and the experiential dimension of space, moving beyond mere composition or addition. The design unfolds beneath a sequence of vaulted ceilings that define the atmosphere of each room while uniting them into a continuous whole. Instead of dividing the interior, these curved forms guide the gaze, extend perspectives, and introduce a sense of lightness and fluidity throughout the space.

 

Layout Organization

Central to the spatial concept is a piece of custom-designed fixed furniture, conceived as both a storage element and an architectural device. It traces a continuous path from the entrance through the living area and onward to the private quarters, establishing a seamless spatial narrative. This uninterrupted flow organizes the domestic landscape with clarity and coherence, allowing functions to transition naturally while maintaining visual and physical continuity.

 

 

Material Palette

The material selection emphasizes natural refinement and balance. Marble introduces depth and variation through its texture and veining, while its dialogue with warm wood tones and soft light generates subtle contrasts. These interactions enhance the character of each space, reinforcing its identity without overpowering the overall harmony of the interior.

 

 

Custom Structures

Craftsmanship permeates every aspect of the project. Meticulously executed joinery adds warmth and tactility, complementing the apartment’s precise geometries. Ornamentation is deliberately restrained, replaced instead by a disciplined language of proportion, clarity, and material authenticity. By aligning spatial rhythm with artisanal precision, the design achieves a luminous and coherent domestic environment – an apartment that embodies both the rigor of architectural design and the sensitivity of handcrafted creation.

 

Water composition

Located just outside the area of Planos in Zakynthos, the hotel is set within a natural environment that harmoniously combines elegance with functionality, offering guests an authentic and immersive hospitality experience.

 

Context Integration

Occupying a 24,237m² site characterized by pronounced slopes, the complex takes full advantage of the terrain’s natural contours. The design establishes a series of terraces that integrate the architectural volumes into the landscape. The main building, villas, and bungalows are positioned to strengthen the guests’ connection with nature, offering expansive views and natural shade.

A defining feature of the composition is the use of water as a central design element. Large reflective surfaces – whether swimming pools or ornamental features – are placed strategically across the site. Following the natural gradient of the ground, these water features not only introduce visual calmness but also connect different zones, enhancing the overall sense of serenity and understated luxury. Water thus becomes the binding element between architecture and nature, generating a cohesive and tranquil atmosphere.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The main building unfolds across three levels, with functionality serving as a guiding principle in the design of the shared spaces. Entry is through an impressive arcade that frames unobstructed views and provides direct access to all hotel areas. Circulation is intuitive and fluid, reinforcing spatial and visual continuity.

On the ground floor, the reception and central bar create a welcoming focal point, followed by the restaurant and library, which combine comfort and refinement while maintaining a warm and inviting character. Each room has been carefully oriented to ensure uninterrupted panoramic views of the sea from every perspective.

 

 

Material Palette

Natural materials such as local stone and earthy tones on the façades reinforce the connection with the surrounding landscape. The result is a holistic design that embraces nature, achieving an elegant balance between built form and environment.

 

Natural line

Overall, the project proposes an architectural language that is minimal yet expressive, where form, materiality, and light engage in dialogue to shape a holistic experience that transcends commercial function and highlights the space as a bearer of aesthetic and semantic value.

 

Design Philosophy

The store’s design is based on the curve, as a reference to the natural line of the female body. The space’s flow and the organic forms in earthy tones – with microcement as the dominant material – shaped a clean, unified, and minimal aesthetic result. This simplicity of lines and the selected materiality simultaneously function as a backdrop, highlight the garments as protagonists, and offer visitors an experience of calm, elegance, and aesthetic continuity.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The compositional intent relies on shaping a spatial shell where curves operate not merely as decorative elements but as tools for organizing movement and prioritizing sightlines. The integration of lighting, natural and artificial, was approached as an architectural medium that reveals textures, intensifies the plasticity of surfaces, and defines different atmospheres during the visit.

 

 

 

Material Palette

The materiality of microcement, combined with a warm palette of tones, establishes a sense of monolithic character while simultaneously maintaining the softness and fluidity required by the space’s concept. Through this balance, the store’s architecture does not function simply as a backdrop for the exhibits but as a spatial narrative in which the visitor’s body becomes part of the compositional process.

 

Natural textures

The project introduces a new architectural paradigm within the realm of luxury retail. The space functions not merely as a point of sale but – through meticulously detailed design – as a complete spatial experience that celebrates minimalism through the refined elegance of natural materials.

 

Material & Color Palette

At the core of the store’s identity lies the use of natural materials, with luxurious onyx stone in green and blue tones as the dominant element. Wall claddings, countertops, and display plinths form a framework of understated luxury with an earthy character, while light reflections on the surfaces reveal their natural depth and texture.

The warm color palette serves as a calm backdrop, allowing the garments to take center stage. The restrained aesthetic is enhanced by clean lines and geometric clarity, enabling effortless movement and a sense of freedom. Floating shelves and stainless-steel structures emphasize lightness, while mirrors with golden frames introduce a subtle radiance and expand the spatial perception.

 

 

Lighting Design

Lighting design, with warm 3000 Kelvin tones, creates an atmosphere of intimacy, highlighting the fabrics’ textures with precision. Through carefully defined zones, light directs the visitors’ flow, accentuating both products and architectural features. High-CRI fixtures ensure accurate color and material rendering, reinforcing the sense of quality throughout the space.

 

 

Custom Elements

As an unexpected touch, the fitting rooms deviate from the dominant palette, adopting a soft green hue that evokes warmth and privacy while maintaining harmony with the store’s natural character. This contrast adds visual interest and functions as a spatial threshold that enriches the visitor’s experience. The design demonstrates that minimalism – when paired with natural materials and refined detailing – can become synonymous with luxury. A space that transcends the act of consumption and transforms into a complete design experience, where fashion and architecture coexist in perfect balance.

 

Low profile

Located near the North Berwick coastline in Scotland, the residence engages directly with the surrounding environment. The low profile of the building ensures minimal visual impact, while its orientation captures optimal daylight and panoramic sea views. Outdoor spaces, including sheltered patios and the central courtyard, extend the living experience into the landscape. The project represents a contemporary interpretation of coastal domestic architecture – rooted in context, responsive to climate, and enduring in its simplicity.

 

Design Philosophy

The project explores the relationship between architecture, landscape, and the changing coastal environment. It was conceived as a low, courtyard-style residence that responds to the specific conditions of the site – its orientation, prevailing winds, and natural light. The design aims to provide shelter and openness simultaneously, offering framed views toward the sea while ensuring privacy and protection from the coastal climate.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The house is arranged around a central courtyard that forms the heart of the composition. This space acts as both a social and climatic core, mediating between the interior and exterior. Circulation occurs around the courtyard, linking the different wings of the residence and creating a rhythm of compression and expansion as one moves through the spaces. The organization of volumes promotes a dialogue between solid and void, light and shadow.

The plan divides the building into three main zones: living areas, private bedrooms, and service spaces. Each zone is connected visually and physically through glazed corridors that maintain transparency without sacrificing comfort. Open-plan living and dining areas extend toward terraces, allowing flexible use of space throughout the seasons. Finally, functional clarity is achieved through simple geometry and a coherent structural grid.

 

 

Material Palette & Sustainability

A refined palette of natural materials was selected to harmonize the building with its context. Natural timber, stone, and expansive glazing surfaces were combined to balance solidity and transparency. The tactile warmth of wood contrasts with the precision of metal details, while the stone base anchors the structure to the landscape. Sustainability was integral to the design, incorporating high-performance insulation, passive solar control, and locally sourced materials.

 

Calm minimalism

Located within a residential complex in Chalandri -comprising two identical buildings with a shared multi-purpose ground floor area designed by architect Ioannis Vikelas in 1972- the apartment retained the essence of its original layout, even as its interior was reimagined.

 

Renovation Strategy

To accommodate the modern lifestyle of the owners, most of the interior partitions were removed and replaced with new configurations. However, the design aimed to preserve the logic of the original plan. The apartment’s core remains the central hall that connects the entrance with the living and dining areas, while the rest of the spaces are organized symmetrically on either side. The bedrooms and bathroom occupy the north-facing side, while the kitchen, WC, and utility room are positioned to the south.

The existing hallway was slightly narrowed and transformed into a corridor, with the reclaimed space used to introduce new storage areas, built-in wardrobes, and entrance furniture with integrated seating, as well as a WC. On the southern side, the former service room was removed to expand the kitchen, creating space for a coffee area and dining nook. The bedroom wing was redesigned to provide each room with its own bathroom, built-in storage, and either a desk or a dressing table.

 

 

Spatial Layout & Lighting

One of the apartment’s greatest assets is its sense of openness and light. The living and dining areas are bright and airy, with dual orientation -north and south- and balconies on both sides enhancing cross-ventilation. The kitchen, illuminated by southern light, creates a welcoming first impression as it opens directly onto the hallway. Conversely, a small intermediate hall separates the private quarters from the common areas, ensuring privacy and a sense of retreat.

 

 

Materials & Custom Design

The aesthetic direction focused on calm minimalism, achieved through a consistent palette and discreet detailing. Built-in wardrobes, concealed doors, and custom carpentry were all finished in an off-white tone matching the walls, creating a seamless visual flow. Oak wood was selectively used in elements meant to stand out -the kitchen island and coffee bar, entrance furniture, and main door- adding warmth and texture.

Light oak laminate flooring unifies the apartment, excluding the bathrooms, which feature tiles suited to each room’s character. In the kitchen, beige quartz complements the earthy palette, while the master suite continues this calm atmosphere with travertine-look tiles. The second bedroom introduces contrast through deep blue accents in both the woodwork and bathroom finishes. Glass bricks were incorporated into the bathrooms and WC to bring natural light into these windowless spaces. Finally, gently curved walls replace sharp corners, softening the overall geometry and enhancing the apartment’s serene, cohesive atmosphere.

 

Ground movements

The residence is situated on a sloping site in the Kefalokremmos area of Limassol, in a location where the natural terrain and sea views define the character of the place. The project seeks to harmonize architecture with the landscape, shaping a living space that emerges organically from the ground.

 

Design Philosophy

The composition is based on integrating architecture into its natural surroundings, aiming to create a dwelling that follows the topography and embraces the landscape. The design approaches the notion of the house as a refuge, where the relationship between interior and exterior becomes seamless, allowing the inhabitant to experience nature in every moment of daily life. The form and layout derive from the movements of the terrain, translating the natural flow of the site into an architectural gesture.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The layout is organized in levels that respond to the slope of the land, allowing for a smooth flow between interior and exterior spaces. The residence takes advantage of sea views while being protected from wind and sun through carefully positioned arcades and semi-outdoor areas. These transitional zones act as filters that offer shading and privacy gradations, mediating between openness and shelter.

 

 

Material Palette

The selection of materials – concrete, stone, and wood – reflects the building’s relationship with its natural environment, combining durability and simplicity. The residence expresses contemporary Cypriot architecture through the composition of clean volumes and a pervasive sense of calmness arising from clarity and restraint.

 

Unearthed structure

Embedded within the Cypriot landscape, the residence responds to its climate and cultural context. The thick masonry provides insulation, while shaded courtyards and openings support natural ventilation. By drawing from vernacular building practices and reinterpreting them, the house integrates seamlessly with its environment, becoming a statement of continuity between past and present.

 

Design Philosophy

The project begins with the earth, conceived as a house deeply rooted in its site. The vision was to reinterpret the Mediterranean courtyard typology through a contemporary lens, embracing the landscape while framing spaces of privacy and gathering. It is a residence where traditional forms meet minimalism, and where the solidity of monolithic walls conveys both protection and serenity.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The house is organized around a central courtyard, reinforcing both introversion and openness. Living spaces face inward to create intimacy, while openings strategically frame views of the surrounding landscape. The plan establishes a rhythm between enclosed and open areas, guiding movement through sequences of light and shadow.

The functional program combines social and private spaces with clarity. Shared living areas are located around the courtyard, encouraging interaction, while bedrooms and private quarters remain secluded. Circulation is carefully choreographed, allowing for smooth transitions between communal life and individual retreat.

 

 

Material Palette

The material strategy relies on natural and tactile finishes: plastered masonry walls, exposed concrete, and warm timber details. These choices reflect both durability and a connection to tradition. The monolithic character of the structure emphasizes permanence, while refined details introduce comfort and contemporary sensibility.

 

Rhythmic pattern

This project is the conversion of an old olive oil mill house, built in the mid-1800s in an ancient village in the island of Lefkada that fell into ruin in the 1950s. The mill’s interior was a dark space, illuminated primarily through small ventilation windows, with the original wooden roof structure taking up nearly half the height of the room.

 

Design Philosophy

The project aims to transform the existing into a flexible, multi-purpose space, filled with natural light. It starts with the reinforcement of the existing walls and the replacement of the old, deteriorated roof for a new one with large windows.

 

 

Functional Organization

The design strategy for the new interior focuses on introducing only the essential elements necessary to define the space in a highly adaptable manner. A strategically placed half-height partition at the center divides the space, separating the full-height front area from the rear mezzanine. Below the mezzanine are a bedroom, bathroom, and storage, while the upper level offers an open, flexible area for various activities. All spaces are seamlessly connected by a 360-degree circulation path and are also linked to the adjacent house.

This defining element, which both shapes and articulates the new interior, is constructed from vertical wooden modules that integrate the doors to the rear rooms beneath the mezzanine. When closed, these doors are nearly invisible, blending seamlessly into the rhythmic pattern of the structure.

 

Material Palette

Terracotta tones mixed with pink infuse the space with warmth, constantly shifting in character with the natural light across the seasons. The lower kitchen module, finished in dark blue, is oriented toward sea views framed by a new, expansive window.

 

Inhabiting a living stratum

Set within San Miguel de Allende, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the residence acknowledges the cultural and environmental richness of its context. The architecture establishes a dialogue with both geological and urban landscapes, creating a house that is simultaneously rooted in place and forward-looking. By merging geology, memory, and architecture, the project becomes a contemporary expression of belonging.

 

Design Philosophy

The residence arises from the intersection of architecture and geology, conceived as a living stratum embedded in the landscape. The project is inspired by the stratification of the earth, where time, memory, and material sedimentation shape its presence. Rather than imposing itself on the terrain, the house emerges as part of it, blurring the limits between natural and built environments.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The spatial configuration is determined by a sequence of horizontal layers that define both program and perception. These strata articulate circulation and frame views, guiding residents and visitors through an experiential journey of openness and shelter. Each level responds to topography and orientation, ensuring optimal integration with the site. In parallel, the program is organized into distinct yet interconnected zones. Public spaces flow effortlessly into the landscape, while private areas retreat into protected layers of the house. The design balances intimacy with collectivity, allowing for flexible occupation throughout the day.

 

 

Material Palette

The materiality of the house emphasizes continuity with the earth. Walls of compacted earth evoke geological processes, while exposed concrete and steel provide structural clarity and contrast. The tactile qualities of materials -textures, densities, and colors- reinforce the idea of inhabiting a living stratum.

 

Materiality as narration

The architecture does not seek to dominate the landscape but rather to integrate into it with discretion. Volumes and openings adapt to the natural slope of the land, while planting complements and unifies the composition. The result is an architecture where living is experienced as an extension of the landscape, embracing both nature and the site’s inherent spirituality.

 

Design Philosophy

The project’s architectural approach was guided by the power of simplicity and the preservation of the site’s memory. The intervention sought to respect the authenticity of the monastic character, emphasizing spirituality and tranquility. The design philosophy embraced principles of minimalism, shaping a space that encourages silence, focus, and inner exploration. The decision to maintain clean lines and restraint was not merely aesthetic but a deliberate strategy that emphasizes the essence of architecture.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The spatial organization drew from monastic typologies, with clear functional axes that connect the main areas. Circulation was carefully choreographed to guide visitors through a gradual sequence of revelations, moving from public to private realms. Openings were positioned to frame views of the Leros landscape, enhancing the relationship with light and the sea. This arrangement establishes a harmonious dialogue between inside and outside, where the architectural shell acts as both frame and threshold.

The interiors were designed to support multiple uses without losing a sense of unity. The main gathering space serves as a central point of hospitality, while private areas preserve the sense of retreat. Transitions between spaces were designed to be fluid, supporting the visitor’s journey -from collective engagement to moments of solitude. Architecture here operates as a backdrop for life, allowing occupants to experience the place with flexibility and authenticity.

 

 

Material Palette

Material selection was guided by a strategy of balance between the old and the new. Stone walls were preserved and restored to highlight the building’s authenticity, while new insertions were made in wood, metal, and exposed concrete. Natural tones and textures enhance the sense of grounding and create an atmosphere of serenity. Materiality functions as a narrative tool, where each element carries the memory of place and bridges past with present.

 

Pure brickwork

The residence unfolds beneath the generous canopy of a leafy São Paulo neighborhood near Parque Ibirapuera. Designed for a family that values openness and an abundance of natural light, the 560m² residence reflects a philosophy rooted in harmony with nature and sustainable living.

 

Design Philosophy

Instead of demolishing the existing structure, the project sought to preserve and reinterpret it -reducing environmental impact while honoring architectural memory. This approach resonates with the owners’ longstanding commitment to environmental protection and animal welfare, turning the residence into both a home and a statement of values. The proximity to Parque Ibirapuera reinforces the home’s connection to urban vegetation. Existing trees were preserved, new tropical species were introduced, and the landscape was designed as a seamless extension of the architecture -transforming the house into a tranquil urban refuge.

The residence respects both the physical and cultural context of the neighborhood. The design retains original proportions and openings, subtly integrating contemporary interventions with restraint. The result is a home that enhances aesthetics and functionality without erasing its identity. By preserving the essence of the existing building and complementing it with modern architectural gestures, the project achieves a balance between conservation and innovation.

 

 

Functional Layout

The residence is organized across two volumes: a primary two-story block at the front of the lot and a secondary annex at the rear. A central courtyard connects them physically and visually, encouraging cross-ventilation and strengthening the dialogue with the garden. The annex accommodates an office and service areas on the ground floor, while the upper level houses a private guest suite, offering both comfort and seclusion. Inside the main volume, fluid social spaces promote interaction and continuity. The ground floor features luminous interiors where large, glazed openings and strategically placed skylights flood the home with daylight. A sculptural staircase commands attention at the core, guiding the eye and circulation upward.

The kitchen, dining, and gourmet areas align along a shared axis. Designed with flexibility in mind, the kitchen comprises two zones: a social area with a dining counter and a separate technical area for preparation, connected by a sliding door. The living room is defined by poetic lighting effects -circular ceiling apertures filter daylight softly, while a central fireplace anchors the space. Upper floors host the private and leisure areas. Three bedrooms occupy the first level, while the rooftop is dedicated to contemplation and relaxation. The home theater and game room extend the social atmosphere, combining daylight and intimacy.

 

 

Material Palette

The primary volume is clad in white-painted brick, evoking purity and timelessness. At key points, this brickwork continues indoors, reinforcing the dialogue between past and present. Warmth is introduced through wood details -seen in the entrance door, façade windows, rear deck, and interior millwork- that harmonize with the lush greenery.

Inside, a unified palette of monolithic flooring, stucco walls, and neutral brick details enhances spatial continuity and amplifies natural light. Bathrooms follow a similar clarity, combining terrazzo or stone floors and countertops with off-white tiles and wooden cabinetry. Furniture selections celebrate icons of modern and contemporary design. Together, these pieces curate an atmosphere of refinement, comfort, and timeless style.

 

Simple language

The project is situated on a narrow rectangular plot, within a new residential neighbourhood on the outskirts of Nicosia. The surrounding buildings adopt diverse architectural styles, providing a context that allowed the house to develop its own minimalist architectural language.

 

Design Philosophy

The house is organized under a table-like structure, oriented toward the street with a restrained façade, and elevated from street level. The southern portion of the plot was used for the garden. The building follows a rectangular grid of 12×24 meters, with a perimeter canopy of exposed concrete providing shading and protection. On the southern side, a 4-meter cantilever creates a generous veranda supported by a cylindrical column.

 

 

Functional Layout

The internal layout is divided into two zones: the west zone, where bedrooms enjoy the evening summer breeze, and the east zone, where living areas open to the surrounding greenery. Large openings connect the interior visually to the garden, offering continuity and daylight. A 17-meter exposed concrete wall runs the length of the house, separating the zones while maintaining a visual axis to the garden.

 

 

Material Palette

The restrained architecture is expressed through carefully selected materials: large ceramic tiles in communal spaces, wooden floors in bedrooms, exposed concrete walls and soffits, and white plaster on vertical surfaces. Doors, cabinetry, and kitchen fittings were crafted in oak, introducing warmth and a domestic atmosphere.

The garden is planted exclusively with Mediterranean vegetation, ensuring minimal maintenance while enhancing perspectives and reinforcing the relationship between interior and exterior spaces.

 

Layered façades

“To meet the mountains, to gaze at the sea, to connect with others, to rediscover oneself.” As commercial dining spaces evolve, the focus increasingly shifts to experiences that capture emotion. The design crafts a curatorial-style immersive dining experience inspired by poetic depictions of landscapes, unfolding like a flowing canvas. The design transforms emotions into physical form, shaping a seamless journey of the senses.

 

Design Philosophy

The design uses imagery of mountains and seas as the backbone of the space. Floor-to-ceiling windows blur the indoor-outdoor boundary, while curved planting walls and flowing textures guide exploration. Layered façades rise like mountains, complemented by flowing amber light. Walls of varied shapes carve distinct dining zones, allowing spontaneous pathways for diners to roam.

The project reinterprets Eastern culture through contemporary design language. By merging natural metaphors of mountains and seas with innovative forms, the project integrates tradition and modernity, creating a space of harmony, balance, and poetic resonance. The space becomes both a sensory dining journey and a cultural statement about Eastern aesthetics in a globalized context.

 

 

Functional Layout

The open kitchen and grilling area form the focal point, with a towering open-flame oven resembling a mystical furnace. The spatial sequence unfolds as an immersive narrative: reception, open atrium, café-like lounge, private rooms, and hidden corridors. Tiered seating designs accommodate varied dining scenarios, balancing privacy with openness. Private rooms adopt innovative green tones, contrasting with the jade marble barriers and gilded ceilings of the main hall.

 

 

Material Palette

Materials evoke the duality of mountain and sea. Green tiled floors suggest fields and retreats, layered white façades rise like mountains, and amber lighting suggests vitality. Deep jade-green marble is used for monumental barriers, while gilded ceilings contrast with understated elegance. Natural stone, luminous glazing, greenery, and curvilinear walls merge to create a poetic atmosphere.

 

Unfinished architecture

The restoration of the Caffè Nazionale embraces the city by establishing a direct relationship with the urban fabric of Arzignano. Historical traces are engaged in a creative dialogue, generating layered depth through spatial elements conceived as theatrical backdrops. The project emphasizes continuity with memory while creating a multifaceted and collaborative architectural intervention.

 

Spatial Organization

The design connects interior and exterior along an axis that aligns the colonnade, the main hall, and the birch courtyard. Spaces unfold as a sequence of stages, creating visual dialogues between the square, the vestibule, and the courtyard. The layout orchestrates transitions between civic space, café, and garden, highlighting the interplay of openness and enclosure.

The main hall integrates fragments of different historical layers. A pleated stainless steel wall conceals and reveals views, while posters by artist Stefan Marx evoke Belle Époque theater. The ground floor hosts the entrance, bar, open kitchen, and café hall, with an upper dining room accessed by a staircase. Wooden tables and benches organize interior and exterior seating, merging tradition with contemporary references.

 

 

Material Palette

Recovered historical elements coexist with new interventions. Stainless steel walls, burnished iron doors, serpentine marble handles, polychrome mosaic floors, and multilayered wooden ceilings all contribute to a layered, theatrical materiality. The project embraces imperfection and unfinished textures, highlighting authenticity in surfaces and construction details.

 

 

Context Integration

Through its restoration, the project becomes a living work that connects the square, colonnade, and garden with Arzignano’s cultural identity. It preserves memory while embracing new uses, creating a space of urban continuity and layered history. This project exemplifies architectural research into “the unfinished”, revealing processes and construction techniques as part of the architectural narrative.

 

Wild beauty

Set against the azure panorama of the Aegean Sea, harmoniously coexisting with Santorini’s natural landscape, the residence narrates the wild beauty of its surroundings and its relationship with traditional architecture.

 

Context Integration

The subterranean construction, nestled within the geological layer of Minoan ash, is characterized by the effortless beauty of Santorini’s traditional dwellings, offering all the comforts required for modern living while minimizing its environmental footprint.

 

 

Materials & Functional Layout

Access is through a spacious terrace with a linear infinity pool, sunken lounges, and a jacuzzi. With respect for the rugged charm of the barren rocky landscape and the cerulean sea, the façade emerges as the sole visible volume, clad in local black volcanic rock. Alongside stretches an imposing pergola of natural iroko and osier, shielding from the intense western sun, creating a sanctuary for relaxation with a view of the Aegean.

Anthracite and purple volcanic stones dress the surfaces while plantings include Mediterranean flora of scrub and evergreen olives. The residence unfolds on two levels. On the ground floor, communal spaces -living room, kitchen, and dining area- are flanked by two en-suite bedrooms and a guest bathroom. Large western openings ensure continuous connection with the exterior, providing natural ventilation and lighting. On the lower level, a second lounge leads to three additional en-suite bedrooms, a massage room, and a gym. All rooms open onto the lush internal courtyard, filled with climbing plants covering the plastered walls, creating a microclimate. Abundant natural light accentuates the gentle curves of the shell, playing with shadows, imparting a pervasive sense of tranquility to all spaces.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The design philosophy, based on a sequence of curvilinear elements, balances local references with contemporary design lines. Airy white vaulted spaces and the impressive cross vault of the dining area provide comfort and serenity in a modern subterranean setting, while expansive openings bring the Aegean panorama indoors. All selected materials are natural, with black stone on the floors, oak wood in dark tones, and marble surfaces. At night, the space becomes atmospheric, with soft lighting accentuating the unique architectural elements.

 

Topographic extension

The project draws its inspiration from the volcanic landscape itself, which defines both the morphology and the development of the built volumes.

 

Design Philosophy

The structures blend seamlessly into the natural terrain, acting as an extension of the topography and avoiding any visual imposition on the environment. The composition unfolds across three levels, following the natural slope of the site along a West–East axis, allowing each residence to enjoy complete privacy and unobstructed views of the Aegean Sea.

 

 

Context Integration

To the northeast, a pathway begins at the top of the plot and descends through the complex with stepped routes and cobbled stairs. This axis acts as the backbone of the project, organizing the outdoor areas and the successive terraces with pools, pergolas, and lounge spaces. In parallel, large windows frame fragmentary views of the horizon, while outdoor spaces flow seamlessly into the landscape, creating the sensation that living becomes one with nature.

 

 

Functional Organization & Materials

The material palette is strictly earthy: exposed stone masonry, wood, and raw plaster blur the boundaries between the natural and the man-made. Each residence includes two bedrooms, a bathroom, open-plan living areas, and a private pool. The interiors follow the understated Cycladic aesthetic, with soft neutral tones and natural materials enhancing the sense of calm and brightness. Finally, vertical openings (cour anglaise) ensure ample natural light and cross-ventilation throughout the spaces.

 

Line upon the landscape

The two rental holiday residences, each featuring a shared living area, three en-suite bedrooms, and spacious outdoor settings with private pools, are situated on an elongated, sloping plot outside the urban plan in Kissamos, Chania. With a western orientation, the residences enjoy panoramic views of the renowned and rapidly developing Falasarna beach.

 

Integration with the Terrain

The site’s steep incline and dramatic natural surroundings inspired the core design concept: to embed the residences into the terrain, aligned parallel to the coastline, ensuring unobstructed sea views. The volumes of the two homes are topped with planted roofs and separated by a strip of untouched land with dense vegetation. This design approach enhances the privacy of outdoor areas while minimizing the overall impact on the landscape. From the coastline, the complex appears as a discreet, horizontal line of concrete and glass on the western façade, blending subtly with the environment.

 

 

Functional Layout

The floor plans are organized linearly, with a gradual transition from open-air spaces to semi-covered zones and fully enclosed, partially subterranean interiors. The eastern elevations and roofs are integrated into the slope, while the western façades open wide to the sea. Architectural features such as skylights and small sunken courtyards on the eastern side bring in natural light and promote cross-ventilation throughout the interior spaces.

By harnessing the insulating properties of the earth, the buildings are naturally shielded from harsh climatic conditions, including strong winds and intense solar radiation. This thermal buffering reduces the need for mechanical heating and cooling, resulting in lower energy consumption. The generous western openings, combined with atrium vents to the east, facilitate effective natural ventilation, while skylights further promote airflow through vertical stack ventilation.

 

Material Palette

The incorporation of modern technologies in the openings, construction methods, and materials contributes to energy efficiency and a reduced environmental footprint. Concrete and glass were selected to create a restrained architectural expression that harmonizes with the surrounding landscape. Their raw and minimalist finish lends the residences an informal, grounded character -one that fosters a deep connection with both place and nature.

 

 

Subterranean living

The subterranean house, benefitting from the gentle slope of the ground, is hidden inside a landscape of low vegetation in Volimes, Zante island, facing the sea.

 

Design Philosophy

The main design principle was to integrate the building into the singular ground morphology without causing any disruption; maximizing sea views from all spaces of the house became a driving requirement. The rooms are arranged in a succession oriented towards the sea view; wide openings facilitate visual contact with the sea, the swimming pool, and the surrounding landscape.

 

 

Undercut Construction

The ground section on the back side of the building reinforces its bioclimatic performance and allows natural lighting and cross-ventilation. The swimming pool, whose water extends to the living room as a shallow surface, contains a small sitting area inside, in visual continuity with the sea.

 

 

Material Palette

The choice of stone as the predominant material contributes to the building’s integration into the landscape; this further reinforces architectural articulation of the volumes, highlighting the horizontal white plane of the ceiling, juxtaposed to the vertical stone walls. The floor extends from the interior to the open-air spaces uninterrupted, on one single level, maintaining the same materiality. In combination with the large openings of the building, this results in the visual and functional unity of the entire built surface. The same idea of seamless unity is repeated in the construction of the roof, where the frames, curtains, ventilation equipment and lights are built-in, to maintain a single, uninterrupted surface.

 

Hillside Slot

The design of this country house on Tinos engages with the question of what it means to inhabit beauty -not only in terms of doing what is technically or formally right, but in responding appropriately and ethically to a landscape that is inherently beautiful. The project seeks to create a form of habitation that integrates discreetly and respectfully into the Cycladic terrain.

 

Design Philosophy

Located on a steep southern slope east of the settlement of Dio Choria, the site is oriented toward open views of Chora and the port, as well as the islands of Syros, Mykonos, Rhenia, Delos, Naxos, Paros, and Sifnos. The architectural strategy is twofold: on one hand, the residence nests deeply into the earth, while on the other, the view -the endless blue of sea and sky- cuts into the terrain before it, reversing the direction of the gaze, so that the view becomes a façade. The only element that reveals the interior is the elongated canopy, an extension of the ceiling of the main living area, which runs along the length of the house and, by protruding, signals its presence.

 

 

Context Integration

The exterior stone walls appear as the backdrop to the canopy and as a continuation of the slope, emerging vertically from the ground. In this way, the house exists as a slot on the hillside. Interior courtyards, carved into the mass of the building, introduce light and sky into the home while shielding it from the persistent northwest winds. These courtyards also extend the living spaces outward and offer varied spatial experiences. Pergolas filter sunlight, casting deep shadows that contribute to the house’s spatial clarity and simplicity.

 

 

Spatial Layout

A small, ground-floor volume in front of the residence -with a pattern referencing the traditional dovecotes scattered throughout Tinos- functions as the main entry point and frames the distant view of Chora. Beside it extends a long, narrow pool running along the façade. The coexistence of these archetypal elements shapes the experience of entering the house within the landscape -not only as a spatial function but also as a meaningful and sensory act. The house, as a single slot on the hillside, together with the elements that form the entrance and appropriate the landscape, constitute creative contrasts that could also be seen as a harmonious fit, allowing the residence to be introduced into a renewed sense of beauty.

 

Sustainable luxury

Positioned within a Mediterranean landscape, the project exemplifies a unique architectural vision that harmoniously blends Mediterranean and Oriental influences. This cultural symbiosis fosters an emotional equilibrium, enhancing the overall wellbeing of its inhabitants.

 

Design Philosophy

Designed with a holistic philosophy, the residence strikes a refined balance between wellness, sustainability, and environmental sensitivity -principles that are increasingly demanded in contemporary residential design. The architectural language is guided by efficiency and meticulous attention to detail. Materiality plays a central role, with an elegant palette of natural stone and wood creating a rich tapestry of textures and finishes. Each element -rom spatial layout to bespoke furniture- has been crafted with artisanal precision. Visual connections to the sea, surrounding nature, and the nearby golf course anchor the home in its context, while the thoughtful management of natural light ensures that every space evolves dynamically throughout the day.

 

 

Sustainability Approach

The residence offers both indoor and outdoor pools, seamlessly integrated into the landscape and architecture to enhance year-round wellbeing. Built according to Passivhaus standards, the residence employs aerothermal systems and photovoltaic panels to reduce environmental impact and significantly lower energy consumption. The integration of heat recovery ventilation further ensures optimal indoor air quality and thermal comfort.

 

 

Craftsmanship & Luxury

With a commitment to achieving near-total energy self-sufficiency, the project sets a benchmark for sustainable luxury. It is not just a house, but a living environment that embodies serenity, craftsmanship, and ecological intelligence -offering a forward-thinking model for residential architecture.

 

Gradual reveal

The residence, located on the road from Parikia to the airport, blends into the natural hillside landscape with views of the islets and rocky outcrops between Paros and Antiparos.

 

Design Philosophy

The design austerity imposed by its underground construction, the orientation, and the panoramic views to the West and the Aegean Sea defined the main axes of the architectural solution. Thus, an internal and external environment was organized to gradually reveal its secrets, bringing the residents into constant dialogue with the built space and nature. An underground residence, by definition, has only one facade. Consequently, the desire for five en suite bedrooms -a master bedroom, a master guest room, and three standard ones- as well as for an open-plan living area with a sitting room, dining area, and kitchen, dictated a linear layout so that all primary spaces could take advantage of the imposing view offered by the location.

 

 

Functional Layout

To isolate access and protect the privacy of the outdoor spaces, a stonebuilt, oval-shaped internal courtyard with an olive tree at its center was created at the left edge of the residence, within the steep natural slope. Access, through an open gate, leads to a sunken recess on the right, where the glass main entrance is hidden from view, becoming a pivotal element of the composition. The entrance hall has a vertical planted opening on its left side for natural lighting and ventilation of the interior, along with a cloakroom and a guest WC, while the entrance to the master bedroom is on the right. Next is the open-plan living area, with a sitting room, dining area, and open kitchen, characterized by two large openings running its entire length.

 

 

Pool Design

One facing the external view and the pool, and the other facing a planted cour anglaise, enhancing the impression of an interior integrated into the external environment. Beyond the kitchen, a long corridor leads to the bedrooms, with the cour anglaise running along the entire left side, giving the sense of moving through a garden. The continuous pergola along the facade and the large openings transform the indoor and outdoor spaces into a unified functional whole. Built-in and wooden partitions under the pergola, between the different indoor spaces, offer the required privacy. The imposing infinity pool, extending almost the entire length of the residence, functions as a cantilevered water surface that visually connects the residence to the blue sea horizon.

 

Aegean background

The residence stands on the western slope of Antiparos, offering views of the sea and Sifnos. Despite an 8-acre plot, the terrain’s slope and the desire for panoramic views and landscape harmony led to choosing an underground construction.

 

Design Philosophy

Access is via a staircase at the rear, guiding visitors from the parking area to the main entrance. Upon entry, the extensive opening frames a vista of the sea, with Sifnos in the background. The living room and kitchen are centrally located in the same open space, with bedrooms on either side. The layout is linear, ensuring all rooms have sea views through large, sliding minimal windows, with direct access to the pool running alongside the building.

 

 

Functional Layout

One side houses the master bedroom with its fireplace, en suite bathroom, and terrace, while the other side accommodates four guest rooms with en suite bathrooms, a children’s room, and a staff room. Material selection was crucial, combining owners’ preferences with contemporary construction trends in the Cycladic landscape. White dominates the exteriors, complemented by natural materials like stone, creating texture contrasts and integrating the building into the landscape.

 

 

Material Palette & Vegetation

Internally, materials such as cement for walls and floors, marble for bathroom countertops, and wooden custom furnishings were chosen. The building’s placement on the plot preserves and incorporates existing cedar trees, characteristic of Antiparos and the Cyclades. Shrubbery, evergreen grasses, and drought-resistant shrubs were selected for the roof and pool surroundings, capable of withstanding the Mediterranean summer drought and minimal care.

 

Secret Landscape

The house is located near Aliki, on the south coast of Paros. Several built volumes are set into the relief of the land and disappear when viewed from above. The architecture, dominated by the roughness of local stone, allows three families to collectively gather on a site whose wild beauty must be preserved.

 

Design Philosophy

Below the access road, the gently sloping land presents three plateaus set with dry stone walls, vestiges of a distant agricultural past. The vegetation is dense and low, typical of the island of Paros. It is precisely this geography that guided the composition. The construction was excavated to integrate the roofs into the slope of the land. Craftfully designed incisions were made for entrances, terraces and shaded patios protected from the wind.

 

 

Functional Layout

The two houses on the upper side are joined by a common patio and an open kitchen, an ode to the conviviality and freedom of holidays. The main house below is stretched between two patios on the east and west sides, offering peace and shade at any time of the day. One is introverted and secretive, the other spreads out widely, facing the setting sun. The seaside facades are punctuated by the narrow vertical windows, typical of Paros.

At the back, large windows link the interior spaces to the terraces and patios. The exterior stone retaining walls are extended inside the buildings, affirming their anchorage to the land, and contributing to the fluidity of the circulations. The subterranean character and the shaded patios are particularly well suited to the island’s warm and windy climate. At night, the windows slide into the walls, and everyone sleeps under the stars.

 

 

Material Palette

At the far end of the slope, the swimming pool points towards a small bay that stands out below. Next to it, a beautiful, shaded terrace. The sea remains the undisputed star. The lower façades are treated in the same way as the retaining walls that define the strata of the cultivated areas. Only local stone is used, so that the resulting color and vibration of the material would blend into the surrounding nature. Architecture does not steal the limelight from the landscape.

The remaining material palette is sober and elegant. The muted resonance of the ancestral stones is reinterpreted, remaining intact, while wood, smooth concrete, and white marble offer a counterpoint to their roughness. Ultimately, the house and its architecture are about freeing oneself from all forms of decoration, including the facing of facades and walls. Open joints result in a grooved effect and create flat, horizontal parts where vegetation debris and marine sediments can be deposited, further integrating the building into the wild, island landscape.

 

Vertical assembly

Throughout the apartment, a thoughtfully curated palette of materials and colors seamlessly bridges form, function, and aesthetics. The result is an interior that feels both contemporary and timeless.

 

Functional Layout

The apartment is the product of uniting two previously separate flats into a vertically connected, cohesive home. The new spatial composition unfolds across two levels—both functionally and aesthetically distinct. The lower level houses the private zones: the master suite (including the bedroom, walk-in closet, and bathroom), a wellness area, and an auxiliary bathroom. The upper level is dedicated to communal living, featuring an open-plan living-dining-kitchen area, a guest WC, and a library. A sculptural internal staircase serves as the architectural centerpiece of the apartment. It facilitates the transition from the more public upper level -where the main entrance is located- to the more private lower level. All spaces are arranged around this staircase, which anchors circulation and creates a sense of spatial continuity.

The layout also responds thoughtfully to the apartment’s enviable location near the beach and sea. Main areas such as the living spaces and wellness zone are positioned along the southeast façade to maximize exposure to natural light, sea views, and ventilation. Conversely, auxiliary areas are placed along the northwest side, facing neighboring buildings. A large opening in the staircase core frames the transition between levels while filtering light from the rear façade.

 

 

Material Palette & Lighting

The design embraces a unified aesthetic that unfolds both horizontally and vertically. Natural materials like marble and wood are combined with refined industrial elements such as ceramic slabs, HPL panels, metal structures, and glass. This interplay creates an elegant, enduring atmosphere. The carefully chosen materials, textures, and tones -along with custom geometric surfaces- form a unique architectural language. This language draws from both the eclectic character of 1960s urban apartments (e.g., marble flooring, intricate woodwork, staircases) and the natural qualities of the Freatida setting (sand, sea, and sunlight).

Sinai marble flooring, in earthy tones and a semi-rough finish, serves as the base upon which all interior elements are composed. Its soft hue visually echoes the sandy tones visible through the large façade windows, reinforcing a seamless connection between interior and exterior. A generous 35cm high marble skirting further defines the perimeter of the interior spaces.

Walls are painted in a warm off-white tone, complementing the flooring and setting a calm backdrop for green marble accents, custom American walnut joinery, delicate metal-framed partitions with fluted glass, and upholstery in natural fabrics. The overall muted palette is boldly contrasted by the kitchen’s striking black volume, conceived as a sculptural centerpiece. This dark backdrop enhances the adjacent custom marble kitchen island, allowing it to stand out.

 

 

Custom Structures

The staircase not only connects the two levels but also embodies the apartment’s design identity, adding elegance and artisanal refinement. Clad entirely in Sinai marble, it features a solid wood handrail, carved on-site by skilled craftsmen to follow its curved form with precision and grace. The library continues the visual language of the kitchen, adopting the same dramatic dark tonality. Throughout the apartment, lighting fixtures are chosen for their minimal forms, fine craftsmanship, and warm glow -subtly enhancing the textures and materials they illuminate.

 

White cube

On the southern side of Mykonos, in the area of Kalafatis with a view of the sea and Tragonisi, this single-story residence of 200 m² stands out for its clean, square lines and sleek, minimalist volumes.

 

Design Philosophy

The design revolves around a captivating interplay of geometry between crisp, perforated white volumes, natural stone, and water surfaces. The master plan is composed of two U‑shaped elements -the building and the pool- which embrace one another, creating the impression that the residence is floating on water. The layout is divided into two sections: the living spaces and the bedrooms, separated by a central swimming pool. Upon entering through the double wooden door, one is met by a serene water feature with three concrete and granite “floating” steps that lead to the bedroom wing. The living area, located on the southern side, is framed by sliding glass doors that open to the pool. At the rear, a large sliding glass door connects the living area to a cactus‑planted courtyard, creating a seamless indoor‑outdoor space where the pool becomes an integral part of the experience -an intimate, sheltered, and idyllic heart of the home.

 

 

Functional Organization

The kitchen forms the eastern extension of the living area. Its design celebrates a harmonious mix of wood, granite, and steel, complemented by anthracite‑toned cement flooring and walls, as well as dark furnishings and lighting elements -a deliberate fusion of contemporary design with traditional Mykonian character. The three en‑suite bedrooms are located on the northern side, offering southern views of the sea and direct access to the pool via a long, narrow veranda. Geometric forms in crisp whites and deep anthracite separate the sleeping spaces from their open‑concept bathrooms. The master suite occupies the western end of the residence, featuring a private terrace shaded by a pergola. To the east, a staff room completes the layout.

 

 

Outdoor Amenities

The strong connection between indoor and outdoor spaces was a fundamental priority for the design. The relatively flat site allows for expansive terraces aligned with the level of the house. To the east, extending from the kitchen, an outdoor dining area is complemented by a built‑in barbecue. To the west and south, extending from the living area, are spaces dedicated to relaxation and sunbathing -open‑air extensions of the interior, where comfort and tranquility are fully embraced.

 

Vanishing points

This architectural project involves the design of a single-story vacation home with a total area of 205 m², situated on a 5,000 m² plot in the Glyfa region of Paros.

 

Design Philosophy

The plot features minimal slopes and offers a southeast orientation with unobstructed views of the sea. The surrounding area remains lightly developed -by the island’s standards- allowing all visual perspectives from the house to be fully immersed in the island’s natural landscape. The residence consists of three separate built volumes, arranged to frame and protect corresponding outdoor spaces. This configuration allows the house to naturally extend outward during the summer months, enhancing the living experience.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The main volume, positioned at the forefront, houses the core functions of the residence: kitchen, dining area, living room, the master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, and a guest WC. Designed for year-round use, this volume serves as the heart of the home. The two additional volumes function as guest suites, each with bedrooms and private bathrooms, intended to host family members and guests primarily during the summer season.

A central conceptual axis runs longitudinally through the residence -from the western entrance façade to the existing cedar trees (fida) located on the eastern edge of the plot. Along this axis, a rhythmic alternation of solid (built) and void (open) elements shapes the user’s spatial experience. The deliberate placement of the volumes creates a sheltered central courtyard with sea views, into which all indoor areas open.

 

 

Landscape Design

Outdoor built-in seating areas, pergolas, and carefully selected planting define the main social gathering space of the residence. Two additional outdoor courtyards -sheltered from wind and strong sunlight- offer more private alternatives for relaxation and socialization. One is located adjacent to the master bedroom with its own pergola, while the other forms a garden and entry courtyard on the western side of the home. Freestanding exterior walls are strategically used to articulate the transitions between built and unbuilt spaces, intentionally blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. This approach enhances the integration of the architectural volumes into the natural landscape.

 

Desert and city

Located on a three-quarter-acre parcel with views of the Las Vegas Strip to the east and Red Rock Canyon to the west, this site endures strong winds, cold, dry winters, and harsh, hot summers with monsoon rainstorms. Protection from the sun and wind, as well as durability and privacy were the simple constraints that shaped the formal direction and materiality of the house.

 

Design Philosophy

The residence repeats the spare behavior of the desert in material and form. A subtractive process left a wind-protected court to the east and provided an opportunity for an elevated basin of water that mirrors the dimensions of the living space. The distant view of the city calls out its ephemeral nature and delicate relationship with water. Entry to the house is gained via a narrow opening in the concrete mass. The threshold, at eye level with the water, leads to a closed and shaded passage that ramps up slightly to an entry court, open to the sky and inhabited by a vertical landscape of native plantings. The architecture represents a contextual conversation between the desert landscape and the city.

 

 

Materials & Ventilation

Locally sourced sand, gravel, and fly ash mix concrete floors and walls in the harsh desert light take on a buff hue that associates with the distant mountains, rising from below grade to build a habitable landscape. Over half of the built area is below grade, ventilated, and lit with openings in the structure to introduce sunlight, including several submerged under the basin’s water level.

 

 

Sustainability Approach

The mass-heavy house sports a reflective roof, 45 KW photovoltaic array and high-efficiency glazing, mechanical, and lighting systems. Upper level sleeping rooms inhabit a screened framework sheathed in perforated weathering steel and elongated along the east/west axis to shield the pool from wind and sun. A south-side shaded deck screened with perforated mesh extends over the form to shade the structure and cars below. Open to the Red Rock Canyon to the west and the city lights of the east, the cantilevered form balances the sculptural weight of the basin and water. The earth-like ground form, fitted with its layer of weathered steel, is a nod to the geology of the Las Vegas Valley and Red Rock Canyon beyond.

 

Liquid stage

Located in the area of Analipsi, just 25 km east of Heraklion, the Stella Island Resort & Spa is a luxurious five-star resort. Its concept is unique by European standards, with water serving as the central theme and design focus.

 

Design Philosophy

The site’s relatively long distance from the shore and its nearly flat terrain inspired the creation of a bold master plan centered around water. As a result, the buildings -including the guest room wings and communal spaces- are arranged around an expansive, free‑form pool of approximately 5,000 m². Every structure has direct access to the water, creating the illusion of a floating hotel. At the heart of this “Lagoon” are the main common areas, designed as islands connected by wooden walkways and bridges. Together with the wooden platforms outside each room, serving as private terraces, this design gives the resort its distinctive character: a series of wooden, stilted structures suspended over the water. The scene is completed by timber superstructures -decorative sunshades attached to the facades and supported by tall, cylindrical columns that rise from the water. The landscaping, featuring primarily palm trees, adds an exotic and tropical atmosphere.

 

 

Materials & Furnishings

Natural building materials play a central role throughout the resort. The facades feature wood, complemented by local dark grey stone in the exterior spaces, creating an inviting sense of tranquility for guests. This approach is reflected in the design of the hotel’s 90 rooms, where wood predominates -including in the decking that seamlessly connects the interiors with the outdoor terrace. The furnishings and equipment have been custom‑designed for this concept, making use of natural oak, polished concrete, stone, and marble. Special attention has been paid to the design of the open bathrooms, combining functional precision with an extraordinary guest experience.

 

 

Outdoor Spaces & Amenities

The resort’s communal areas have been designed with the same focus on providing memorable guest moments. The thematic spa, located on the upper floor of the main building, embraces a sleek, modern design inspired by Eastern influences, with a central glass‑walled indoor pool offering sweeping views of the resort. The main restaurant is divided into distinct spaces -some open‑air platforms set directly over the water, some semi‑outdoor spaces with sea views, and a central area distinguished by a striking suspended wooden ceiling with a unique parabolic design, unlike any other in Greece. The open reception area, dominated by crisp white marble, welcomes guests via a diagonal pathway that allows a full, captivating view of the resort- a spectacular scene where water becomes an integral part of the architecture and experience.