Perforated screen

The project concerns the architectural planning and interior design of a boutique hotel unit located on the island of Tinos. The individual unit consists of a 50m² ground floor, incorporating a vestibule, and a 27m² attic level. In parallel, a general masterplan was developed as a proposal for the arrangement of 13 accommodation units across a 15-acre plot.

 

Design Philosophy

The design concept draws direct inspiration from the traditional dovecotes of Tinos, emphasizing their architectural, historical, and cultural significance. The project is grounded in an in-depth study of the dovecotes’ structural logic, morphology, and original function. The proportions, volume, and overall massing of the hotel unit reinterpret those of a typical dovecote, translating vernacular principles into a contemporary hospitality context.

The morphology of the building shell itself evokes the image of a dovecote. The entrance is defined by a “clostra element” – a perforated architectural screen that introduces a strong geometric expression. This feature references the traditional dovecote façade, originally designed as the birds’ point of entry. In contrast, the remaining surfaces are predominantly solid, creating a deliberate tension between openness and enclosure.

 

 

Context Integration

The units are carefully positioned in dialogue with the natural environment, responding to both orientation and topography. The complex is embedded within the landscape, facing the sea approximately 200m away, on the southern part of the island. A key guiding principle was the morphology of the island terrain, particularly its characteristic dry-stone walls, which informed both the spatial layout and the landscape design.

Beyond referencing dovecote architecture, the project aims to reconnect visitors with the land through an agritourism-oriented approach. Cultivation and engagement with the landscape are integral to the experience. Water also plays a central role in the design, reflecting the historical placement of dovecotes near springs or running water. Private pools are integrated into the site, following the logic of the dry-stone walls and unfolding organically across the terrain.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The total interior area of each unit is 77m². Entry is mediated by a vestibule positioned between the “clostra screen” and the glazed façade, ensuring a gradual transition and enhanced privacy. Shading is user-controlled, allowing flexibility in light and openness. The interior is organized as an open-plan space, where curved lines and natural materials foster a nest-like atmosphere that blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. On the ground floor, the living area forms the spatial core, flowing into the dining space and kitchen. A circular staircase leads to the attic level, which accommodates the bedroom, an open shower, and a WC.

The side walls feature rough-textured finishes, recesses, and openings that reinterpret the original functional cavities of dovecotes – spaces once intended to host birds. Integrated planting within the interior further reinforces the connection to the earth and natural cycles.

Finally, the accommodation units are conceived as sanctuaries, acting as spaces of retreat and introspection. They encourage seclusion, serenity, and a sense of isolation from everyday life, offering guests a distinctive spatial experience that promotes relaxation and reconnection with both nature and self.

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

Creative revival

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

 

Design Philosophy

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

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

 

 

Materials, Lighting & Furniture

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

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

 

 

Pool & Outdoor Design

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

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

 

Unified space

The residence is organized around a single defining line: an 80-meter wall that stretches across the entire plot, from the entrance to the navigable canal. This element defines the structure, organizes the program, and unifies the project. More than a formal gesture, the wall is a strategy: structure, program, technical concealment, and architectural language.

 

Design Philosophy

The project was designed for a couple seeking to merge their countryside and beach lifestyles. The presence of the mountains and the canal guided the positioning, views, and flows. Standout features include the swimming pool with a helical ramp for accessibility and bathrooms with retractable roofs, demonstrating harmony between architecture, nature, and daily living in Angra dos Reis, Brazil.

 

 

Functional Layout

On one side of the wall are the technical areas: service spaces, functional circulation, and systems. On the other, the living experience unfolds through the pool, the lounge, and the outdoor areas. The architecture allows the space to open seamlessly towards the exterior with sliding doors that retract into the wall itself.

On the lower level, service and functional spaces are hidden behind the wall. Above, a suspended volume contains the private quarters, while the main living room occupies the void between. The layout prioritizes openness, seamless flow, and strong indoor-outdoor relationships.

 

 

Material Palette

The material palette is direct and expressive: exposed concrete, pressed bamboo, and Brazilian marble. Post-tensioned structure spans distances of up to 12.5m with cantilevers of 6.5m. Vernacular construction techniques were preserved, such as ribbed formwork, native wood supports, and precise, simple solutions.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Solid façade

Escobar House is located in Haras Santa María de Escobar, a gated community in the North corridor, approximately 54 km from the center of Buenos Aires. The neighborhood’s expansive lots are arranged around a golf course. The site for Escobar House is defined by its flat topography and a privileged rear view towards the golf course and a vast green area oriented to the North.

 

Functional Layout

Designed for a young couple, the residence was conceived as a weekend house that would eventually become their permanent home. The social area, envisioned as the heart of the house, was designed with a higher ceiling and elevated above the natural terrain to capture sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. The brief included an en suite master bedroom, two additional bedrooms for future children, and a playroom located as far as possible from the social area. The living and dining spaces open onto a semi-covered terrace adjacent to the swimming pool, allowing the house to connect seamlessly with its natural surroundings.

 

 

Design Philosophy

Constructed from exposed concrete and glass for low maintenance, the design emphasizes an integrated composition with a clear organizational and morphological unity. The main platform serves as the starting point, with the entrance and social area set slightly above the terrain, and the other rooms arranged at varying half levels. This design allows for an organic connection between spaces while maintaining their independence. A circulation and service corridor along the front of the house ensures privacy from the street for the more noble spaces, which face towards the lot’s rear. This nearly solid façade opens selectively through elongated slits, while the back of the house maintains a fluid, transparent connection with the exterior.

The supporting structure consists of two parallel inverted beams that run the length of the house. These beams are set back from the enclosing shell, both in the front and the back, highlighting the horizontality of the volume. They help organize the service corridor at the front, the social spaces, and the semi-covered deck at the rear. Views are framed as horizontal rectangles, directing the gaze towards the surrounding greenery and the golf course. To further enhance privacy and integrate the house with its environment, lines of trees were planted along the site’s boundaries.

 

 

Swimming Pool Design

The swimming pool was positioned per the client’s request, seamlessly incorporated into the house’s terrace. Its design as a rectangular plate with three cantilevered sides conceals its depth, creating the illusion of a floating mirror that reflects the sky when viewed from both inside and outside the house.

Through this design, the architects created a compact, sober volume where varying ceiling heights, lighting effects, and spatial arrangements result in diverse and inviting environments. The goal was to design a cozy home using simple lines and unembellished spaces, fostering a close and harmonious dialogue with its natural surroundings.

 

Reyner Banham’s “Los Angeles: The Architecture of Four Ecologies” explored the freeways as a key element of Los Angeles’s urban fabric, viewing them as a symbol of the city’s unique “autopia” and a major agent of its sprawling suburbanism.

 

Conceptual Approach

In this context, the concept of “Carpool Lanes” is reimagined as a poetic gesture, where the open road meets cooling waters, blending travel and leisure in a surreal dialogue with the landscape. Elevated concrete lanes of turquoise colored waters introduce a fluid juxtaposition of motion and stillness. This speculative intervention seeks to relieve the relentless congestion and monotony of the freeway experience, offering drivers a moment of serenity amid the rush.

The project is part of a larger series examining the LA freeways and their profound impact on the urban and cultural environment, using generative AI to visualize alternate futures. These AI-driven compositions evoke both nostalgia and futurism, reinterpreting Los Angeles through the lens of technological imagination.

 

 

Prompts & Software

The prompt served as the starting point, and through multiple rounds of generation, subtle word adjustments, and careful planning and zooming into the details, the final images were created.

Pool level, sitting inside pool, freeway pools, elevated pools intertwined with the freeway. Oddly elegant, hundreds of people everywhere, – no cars in pools –ar 4:5

Created in Midjourney v6.1

 

Inspired by the geophysical forces that shape the island’s character, this residence in Tinos reinterprets the encounter between stone and air -an encounter that leaves its mark on the land’s morphology.

 

Design Philosophy

Where air and stone collide, one element always prevails: either forming linear projections or shaping cavities enclosed by stone. This dynamic, minimalist residence expresses these spatial qualities, negotiating the parallel relationship between openness and introversion -between visibility and shelter- and exploring how space is experienced. The design creates vantage points and protective cavities that emerge both from within and above the terrain. The client envisioned a personal retreat: a place of seclusion with nothing more than a long, narrow pool for exercise and a sheltered sleeping area.

Translating both the reading of the landscape and the client’s desire into architecture, the design consists of two elongated volumes beneath a planted roof -one enclosed for the bedroom, and one open for the pool. A third enclosed volume, set perpendicular to the first two, serves occasionally as a guest house. To evoke the feeling of carved stone, the residence is built entirely of exposed concrete, with the imprints of the wooden formwork left visible. The surfaces are thus adorned with patterns reminiscent of those found on tree trunks -markings created by nature itself. The structure is embedded in the land, revealing itself as a fissure in the terrain. The roof is planted exclusively with native shrubs found on the site’s perimeter, preserving unobstructed views for neighboring homes.

 

 

Pool Design

The large rocks unearthed during excavation were carefully selected and repositioned around the building, filling voids and creating a horizontal transition zone between the artificial and natural landscape. The pool -the focal point of the composition- is oriented so that its axis aligns precisely between two headlands that descend symmetrically toward the sea. The directional lines established by the pool’s orientation also guide the alignment of the two sleeping areas. Their openings are positioned to frame views of the horizon. In keeping with the client’s desire for complete seclusion, each sleeping unit features its own enclosed courtyard and a private, doorless bathroom.

 

 

Functional Layout

The sheltered space between the main volumes accommodates only a kitchen, a living area, and an auxiliary bathroom. The sense of a cave-like retreat is heightened by sliding corner glass panels that fully retract, merging interior and exterior without the interruption of columns. From the rear -backed by the excavated rock- natural light and air flow into the space, enhanced by three strategically placed skylights. The result is a sequence of autonomous spaces: some fully open and exposed, others turned inward and completely protected. The linear water element running between them introduces a sense of fluidity. Ultimately, the residence embodies the qualities of the natural forces that shape the landscape, offering a contemporary interpretation of the ongoing dialogue between the elements of nature.

 

Visual comfort

Located in Heraklion, Crete, this pharmacy embodies a contemporary, clean, and human-centered approach to healthcare design.

 

Design Philosophy

The design is rooted in the concept of wellness. Drawing minimalist yet clear references from nature, the spatial forms and functional elements evoke the natural world as the original source of mental and physical health. The project reimagines the pharmacy not merely as a place of service, but as an experience -an architectural composition that embodies care, well-being, and comfort.

A harmonious blend of materials, along with deliberate contrasts between light-toned, textured, and smooth metallic surfaces, helps structure the interior into distinct zones. These elements emphasize natural light, enrich the tactile experience, and enhance visual comfort.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The pharmacy unfolds over two levels: the ground floor houses the primary display and customer service areas, while the upper level accommodates more private functions. Two centrally placed vertical display elements, paired with low-height seating, serve both as focal points and as tools for guiding movement. The spatial flow is intentionally open and fluid, encouraging visitors to navigate and explore independently.

 

 

Custom Elements

At the rear of the space, the service area adopts a warmer, more intimate atmosphere through the use of wood -a material that reinforces the sense of care and familiarity. In the display zone, tall white walls welcome natural light through large openings, enhancing the clarity and transparency of the interior. Above, a metal grid structure on the second level acts as a light filter, creating a rhythmic interplay of light and shadow that enriches the overall sensory experience.

 

Organic geometries

The 5-star hotel in Mykonos was conceived around the central idea of the endless motion of the sea’s waves and the creatures that inhabit its depths. Through a series of architectural gestures -including the abstract composition of solid forms, the emulation of natural elements, and the reinterpretation of traditional Mykonian architectural language- the project took its final shape.

 

Design Philosophy

The overall composition evokes the curves of the sea, with the entire building embodying fluidity at its core -as if a giant sea creature had emerged from the earth, shaping the volumes with its body and tail. The building’s organic form subtly references the typologies, shapes, and silhouettes of Cycladic architecture. Elements of the Mykonian landscape -dry stone walls, the sea, rocks, and arid vegetation- have been integrated as architectural details, offering a variety of textures and spatial experiences.

Drought-tolerant plants and palm trees are scattered throughout the property, engaging in dialogue with the building’s forms, while pools in direct contact with the guest rooms create additional water zones that weave through the courtyards and planting. The sculpted geometry of the semi-outdoor spaces encourages a constant interplay of light and shadow, framing views of the surrounding natural landscape.

 

 

Spatial Organization

Inside, the spaces offer a variety of qualities and materials. The sculpted masses evoke pieces of white rock, hollowed out to create functional spaces that meet the daily needs of the temporary guest. Curved forms and white niches serve as shelves or are lined with illuminated membranes, creating unique atmospheres. In the common areas, mirrored surfaces reflect and distort, adding an element of optical illusion.

 

 

Lighting Design

The thoughtful treatment of both natural and artificial light is central to the design. Natural light filters through glass openings, reflected off white surfaces, water, and polished materials, reaching even the underground levels. By night, the illuminated elements come to life, transforming the spaces through shifting tones and hues.

 

White house

The residence is located on a beautiful Brazilian beach, along the northern coast of São Paulo. Its design prioritizes environmental comfort and long-term durability -two critical considerations when building in tropical, coastal environments where high temperatures and salty sea air create challenging conditions. These factors shaped both the layout of the floor plan and the choice of materials.

 

Functional Layout

On the ground floor, the social area occupies the northern section of the house, combining the living and dining spaces. This area seamlessly connects to a semi-outdoor space featuring additional seating and dining areas, a patio with a Jacuzzi and sunbeds, and a swimming pool on the eastern side. The kitchen and service areas are located on the southern side, adjacent to one of the two side gardens. The upper floor accommodates five bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom and closet. The master suite includes a spacious bathroom, ample storage, and an adjacent family sitting area.

 

Custom Structures

The rooftop terrace is designed as a garden deck, accessible via a minimalist staircase and protected by a hatch door. All interior spaces feature floor-to-ceiling windows -or sliding glass walls- that create a seamless flow between the indoor and outdoor spaces, providing a comfortable thermal experience. In the ground floor living room, large 3m x 2.5m glass doors slide into the walls, merging the interior with the balcony and facilitating cross ventilation to reduce room temperatures naturally.

 

 

Material Palette

Wooden perforated doors inspired by traditional “muxarabi” screens shade the interiors while allowing natural ventilation. Similarly, perforated and folding mesh metal brises envelop the upper volume, providing shade and privacy. The combination of wood, concrete, and white aluminum -chosen for its resistance to the corrosive sea air- imbues the house with a tropical minimalism influenced by Brazilian modernist architecture.

 

Coherent integration

This project was born from a heartfelt desire: a young family with two children seeking a countryside retreat that could offer warmth, togetherness, and functionality. The starting point was an existing house, whose structure proved insufficient to accommodate an ambitious program that included five suites, a game room, gym, sauna, wine cellar, and gourmet area, among other spaces. The challenge lay in enhancing the original architecture while expanding it in a sensitive, coherent, and contemporary way.

 

Design Philosophy

The intervention was significant, involving both structural changes and a renewed connection with nature. Part of the original roof was preserved to honor the home’s architectural language, while new spaces were introduced through volumes constructed of glued laminated timber -a key feature of the new design. This material brought both structural lightness and aesthetic fluidity, reinforcing the visual and functional integration between areas such as the master suite, gym, and sauna, all linked by a pergola.

 

 

Functional Organization

The interior layout was completely reimagined to incorporate five suites. The once narrow hallway leading to the private quarters was enhanced with shed-style skylights, bringing in natural light and transforming a transitional space into one of quality and comfort. The former kitchen was redesigned around a central island and opened up to the living area, creating a hybrid space suitable for both intimate family meals and professional-level cooking. This flexibility extends to the adaptable partitions, which allow for both open-plan living and private moments.

A previously disproportionate mezzanine above the old living room was removed to make way for a new glued laminated timber volume housing a playful, versatile children’s suite. The fireplace, now a focal point, anchors a fluid living space organized around a custom-designed piece that combines concrete and fine joinery. This multifunctional element seamlessly accommodates dining, lounging, games, and wine storage, adapting to the needs of each setting.

 

 

Landscape Design & Materials

One of the project’s key features is the expanded terrace. A new structure with black-painted metal beams contrasts with wood and aluminum elements to create a sense of visual lightness and openness. The pool area flows into the interior through a continuous rustic granite floor, reinforcing the home’s seamless indoor-outdoor integration. The landscape design complements the architecture by connecting natural elements with built forms. It creates moments of visual respite, strengthens the bond between indoor and outdoor spaces, and reinforces the continuity of the architectural vision.

Material choices reflect a dialogue between rustic charm and contemporary design. Green hydraulic tiles in the bathrooms and black hexagonal flooring in the kitchen add character, while reclaimed wood brings warmth to bedrooms and corridors. Repurposed wood was also used for bathroom countertops, emphasizing the project’s sustainable ethos. A notable technical solution was the introduction of shed-style openings above narrow corridors, ensuring natural light and spatial quality in these often-overlooked areas. Throughout the home, bespoke carpentry -designed by the architectural studio and executed by a local craftsman- serves as a unifying thread, carefully tailoring each space.

 

Gentle levitation

The holiday home on the Greek island of Paros blends a subtle modernism with both contemporary and traditional detailing and materials. Assembled as a linked series of standalone rooms around a poolside courtyard, the villa touches the landscape lightly, providing a beautiful and simple luxury living environment in its natural Aegean setting.

 

Design Philosophy

Rising above an olive grove on the west side of Paros, this residence is centred on the setting of the August sun. The solar axis is described by a linear path that terminates at a negative-edge pool cantilevering into the Aegean blue. This linearity is mirrored by the adjacent pergola -a gently undulating wave of bamboo, punctured by a single oculus that brings light onto a chiselled marble poolside lounge. The volumes gently touch upon the earth on overlapping terrazzo slabs, “floating” above the soil.

 

 

Pool Design

The airy sensation culminates around the pool. Clad in rustic mirrors, the inset base reflects the Mediterranean landscape and transforms the pool into yet another floating slab. Just as the built elements are placed gently on the site, the material richness of the building is derived subtly by means of texture.

 

 

Material Pallete

Beyond the traditional white and stone walls, the materiality is augmented by Greek marble and terrazzo. The simplicity of these raw materials is the key to the intricacy of the project. The size of the stone aggregate displays calculated variation between different terrazzo surfaces, creating a subtle but vital gradation.

The windows are framed by a densely hammered Aliveri marble, inspired by the decorative stone surround that marks the entrance of Parian churches, while counters and benches feature sandblasted and chiselled stone. These careful adjustments provide complexity without overloading the site, allowing the magic of the landscape to imbue the house with the unique energy for which one builds by the seaside.

 

Pure geometries

The new 5-star hotel complex is situated on a stunning peninsula nestled between Ipsos Bay and Dassia Bay. Spanning a unique 245-acre plot characterized by varied terrain, the design features clean geometric forms. The harmonious proportions of the low building volumes, defined by their simple lines, embody the project’s architectural principles.

 

Functional Organization

The resort features 390 rooms and suites distributed across ground-floor as well as two-story buildings, organized into four sections. At the center lies the grand reception building, which hosts the main public areas, including the reception desk, a spacious lobby and bar, and a shopping arcade. Abundant greenery, found in suspended gardens and large atriums, both separates and unites the various spaces.

The Flavors restaurant is situated on the ground floor of the main building, while two additional themed restaurants -one Asian and one Peruvian- are located on the first floor. The resort also features four independent themed restaurant buildings, each with a distinct character, scattered throughout the property. Other amenities include a spa with an indoor pool offering scenic views, an open-air theatre, a teenage-activities building, and a daycare facility. The surrounding area boasts four bars, various sports facilities, four communal pools for adults -each paired with a children’s pool- an aquatic playground, an administration building, and finally, additional amenities.

 

 

Sustainability Approach

The project integrates fundamental principles of bioclimatic design, maximizing the use of renewable energy sources and adhering to environmental regulations. The prominent presence of water elements, including large swimming pools and various water surfaces, contributes to a microclimate that enhances the natural environment, offering a sense of coolness and relaxation. On the south and west elevations, circular columns, large, recessed glazing bars, and front porches direct the sunlight and create a seamless transition from interior spaces to exterior overgrown gardens. On the east elevations, pergolas extend to further control natural light and connect indoor and outdoor spaces.

 

 

Landscape Design & Materials

The use of natural materials such as stone, marble, wood, and wicker, along with special lighting and earthy tones, creates a sense of intimacy, and comfort. The natural environment played a decisive role in shaping the framework for the development of the complex. Low buildings are strategically scattered, with gaps and pathways winding through the trees and varying plant densities to preserve the existing landscape as much as possible, allowing the building volumes to seamlessly emerge from within.