restaurant design Archives | ek magazine | Architectural Publications

Diosa

Konstantinos — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 05:31:06 +0000

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

Fluid interior

Diosa is an all-day café/bar located in Agios Georgios Square, in the vibrant heart of Kypseli, Athens. A space that transforms with the passing of the day, shaped by light and atmosphere.

Design Philosophy

By day, soft natural tones highlight textures and materials, creating a calm, earthy ambiance. By night, the lighting deepens and intensifies, giving way to a more intimate, immersive setting. This dual character of Diosa -a relaxed haven for coffee and conversation by day, and a lively bar for drinks and social gatherings by night- is at the core of the project’s architectural approach.

Functional layout

The layout is defined by two structural columns framing a circular wall opening -a subtle yet distinctive architectural gesture that guides movement and sets the rhythm of the interior. Strategically placed mirrored and silver-toned surfaces reflect light in varied ways, adding layers of shifting visual texture and movement throughout the space.

Façade Design & Materials

On the façade, iridescent vinyls and the Diosa logo play with the viewer’s perspective and the changing light of day, echoing the project’s playful and contemporary spirit. A tiled wall featuring a gradient of fading hues introduces a sense of continuity and flow, harmonizing with the lighting scheme and reflective elements to create a coherent and unified visual language. Fluid, luminous, and ever evolving, the design offers a renewed spatial experience with every visit, inviting guests to rediscover it again and again.

The post Diosa was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

BBT Hilltop | Sharq, Kuwait City

Konstantinos — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 05:31:10 +0000

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

Horizontal gatherings

Located in Sharq, Kuwait, this project represents the idea of a multifunctional canopy, that simultaneously acts as an urban installation for the heart of the city center.

Building Program

The mixed-use building stands as a new landmark and a prominent place for gathering, hosting several communal events throughout the day, while at the same time, acting as a drive-in restaurant and outdoor esplanade. The roof is a playful contemplation area that features a playground and dining area with breathtaking views of the city, through series of carefully curated architectural elements such as stands and slides. In parallel, the space is also used as an outdoor theatre or cinema. Finally, the first floor includes an indoor restaurant and all the service areas.

Construction Philosophy

The most prominent element is a red spiral staircase that connects the three floors as well as all interior and exterior spaces. The construction philosophy is based on using raw, natural materials combined with intricate assembly techniques in order to create spaces as well as furniture that are both functional as well as optimally constructed.

Material Palette

The canopy-façade is made of a metallic mesh painted white, while the roof, floors and interior ceilings are painted in red, thus creating a horizontal contrast. In parallel, glossy ceramic tiles are used to clad specific parts of the interior walls. Finally, an array of strategically placed openings offers cross ventilation, natural light and accessibility to the overall space.

The post BBT Hilltop | Sharq, Kuwait City was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

Proveleggios | Restaurant in Athens

Konstantinos — Mon, 13 May 2024 05:31:21 +0000

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

Linear interaction

A former commercial space in Kerameikos, designed in 1938 by Aristomenes Provelengios, is transformed into a modern restaurant.

Functional Organization

The restaurant occupies the elevated ground floor and includes the main hall, bar, and part of the kitchen. The basement houses part of the preparation area, along with a loft space. The relationship between these successive levels is defined by the positioning of the reception area and its view of the public space. Central to the design composition is a monolithic bench, which serves as a pivotal feature. Spanning over a total length of 11m, the monolithic bench seamlessly connects the bar and kitchen areas, joining them within a single volume that extends along the ground floor plan. Chefs and guests interact, while the process of food preparation and consumption coexist in the same space. In the basement, a blue glass wall defines the boundary of the secondary kitchen.

Architectural elements

Transparent materials are strategically employed to create a distinct atmosphere that complements the architectural design and aesthetic. The main façade balances the relationship between solid and void. The load-bearing elements contribute to the building’s structural integrity, while the large openings and double-height ground floor space allow abundant natural light to enter the space, fostering a visual connection between the interior and exterior environments.

Featuring a minimal and simple geometry, devoid of any decorative design, the façade serves as a filter between the public and private space. The exterior mural -a carefully composed artwork that incorporates street art elements- becomes the façade’s main feature, adding vibrancy to the exterior aesthetic. During the renovation process, materials were thoroughly selected to accentuate the existing elements of the space.

Material Palette

The interior space showcases a blend of perforated metal, blue glass, and plaster finishes, extending the robustness of the façade seamlessly inside the building. Metal emerges as the primary material across the restaurant, retaining the building’s original aesthetic as a toy manufacturing workshop and reinforcing its industrial identity.

The exterior coating, treated with the artifice technique, sets the stage for crafting a textured ambiance within the building’s interior. The plaster finish, alternating between coarse and rough texture, serves as a contemporary interpretation of the façade’s coating. Introducing blue hues on the interior glass adds depth to the space’s ambiance, subtly referencing the modernist movement, of which architect and urban planner Aristomenes Proveleggios was a notable member.

The post Proveleggios | Restaurant in Athens was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

Oxygen in Athens

Giannis — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 11:31:35 +0000

This article by Giannis was published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications.

Oxygen, with its singular, contemporary architectural design, and noted environmental awareness, will be the first BREEAM-certified housing development in Greece. Being the first development of such a scale in the post-pandemic era, it will showcase the changes brought about in the way we live and work, as an innovation.

Holistic, Sustainable Architectural Design

Oxygen, with a view over Athens’ Olympic Sports Complex, comprises 32 one, two, or three-bedroom apartments, developing on one or two levels. Oxygen is the most vital element in nature, defining our quality of life. In that spirit, the design features an architecture that addresses health and wellness, sustainable innovation, eco-friendly materials and construction methods, water and waste treatment, in a holistic manner, beside a robust, aesthetic result.

BREEAM International Certification

The project has already been awarded with a BREEAM Certification from the construction stage, and it will further be evaluated in post-construction. Control by the British independent organization BRE, which has already granted certification to several projects in 89 countries, guarantees quantifiable results, both during design and construction as well as during the operation time of the building. Close collaboration between the architects, the engineers, the developer and environmental consultants, the local community, the city authorities, and the tenants, has been a prerequisite and an innovation in the local framework.

Contemporary Architecture and Quality of Life

The design of the building is inspired by the elements of nature, such as water, soil, and the sky. The undulating façade on the balconies creates green spaces and separates the apartments. The Y-shaped columns allude to tree trunks and underline the sustainable character of the building. Large openings, private gardens on the ground level, and generous balconies equipped with planters, provide quality of life, and make sustainable design immediately perceptible by the tenants, beside low energy consumption.

Entrance Design

The entrance to the building is given particular attention: The double-height pilotis features circular steppingstones which float on a water surface, dotted by an eclectic selection of plants. More than creating a spectacular setting, such gestures are substantial: they mark the symbolic and functional threshold between the bustling exterior and the intimacy of domestic space.

Planted balconies and sustainable strategies

Small orchards on the balconies allow the tenants to cultivate their own herbs. Electric charging, available in all parking slots, recycling and composting infrastructure, as well as a special system for monitoring each apartment’s consumption by digital application, count among the sustainable strategies that encourage the tenants to adopt a contemporary, eco-friendly lifestyle. All apartments are equipped with a smart home system, smart lighting, security shutters, wakeup/sleep and arrival/departure scenarios, voice commands, and smart switches.

Private and Public Outdoor Spaces

Private and public outdoor spaces were given particular attention. An open-air sheltered gym surrounded by greenery is available for the tenants only, year-round. Further, an enthralling open-air sheltered space with vertical gardens was designed for socializing. WiFi and plugs are available in this area, creating a suitable environment for outdoor home office use, which supplements the fully equipped home offices in each private apartment.

Architecture After the Pandemic

The design was carried out during the pandemic, therefore Pieris Architects focused on reinventing the typology of the Greek apartment building to confront the present and future lifestyle requirements. Having spent long days inside due to lockdowns and working from home, all have realized the importance of every corner of the house. Pieris Architects created functional spaces with warm colors and textures, ample storage, and ergonomic kitchens. The lighting design maximizes the use of natural light and secures optimal thermal comfort for the tenants.

The collaboration between Pieris Architects and Sustain developers aims to make a landmark of Oxygen, and to provide a model design for sustainable contemporary housing developments in the post-pandemic era.

Pieris Architects

Sustain

Sane Industries

The post Oxygen in Athens was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

Naiades Boutique Hotel

Giannis — Tue, 12 Oct 2021 11:37:23 +0000

This article by Giannis was published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications.

Boutique Hotel Design with a Bold Color Palette

The new 8-bedroom boutique hotel is located in the center of Ioannina in Greece, in the historical castle district. The design highlights transitions through contrasts: The lighting, colors, and materials change as visitors cross through the space. Old and new, hard and soft, urban and traditional– these principles abound and flourish throughout the building. Colors are used emphatically, ranging from light and dark green, pastel purple, light pink, and blue tones.

The Entrance and Lobby

The facades are painted a dusty pink shade, which creates an interesting contrast with the dark blue wooden doors. At the hotel’s entrance, guests are greeted by a double-height lobby with pastel purple and white background walls, rounded columns, and modern chandeliers hanging from the roof. Green marble covers the reception counter.

Hotel Room Design

On the ground floor and first level, the guest rooms feature colorful selections with custom made furniture. Oakwood flooring and furnishings, velvet curtains and metallic bedside tables create a playful scenery. Ample windows let in plenty of natural light.

Covered and Open-air Patios

From the inner balcony on the first floor, the wooden roof is visible; large mirrors which reflect the pendant lights, wall lamps, and contemporary paintings create a narrative scenery. From the ground floor, stairs lead down to a stone courtyard at the back of the building where light metallic chairs and marble tables offer an open-air intimate space for breakfast.

Dining Area Design

A moody color palette has been applied throughout the main dining area in the basement of the hotel. Walls have been loosely rendered with grey plaster and most of the floor has been clad with dark grey tiles. Deep red, pastel green, and bright yellow furniture add a splash of color. Marble and wooden tables, velvet armchairs, wooden bookshelves, contemporary lighting, and candles create a whimsical interplay of colors, textures, and shapes. The main dining table is positioned alongside the wooden bookcase; the armchairs are clustered around the central fireplace and other tables are positioned alongside the open kitchen painted in pastel green tones with brush detailing. The bookcase furniture with a sitting spot creates a more intimate corner. The space is complemented by a series of unique carpets with traditional features.

Amalgama-Architects

The post Naiades Boutique Hotel was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.