Industrial Archaeology

The existing building is one of the rare examples of the Brutalist architectural movement in Greece. It was constructed in 1972 and represents one of the most significant works by the Tombazis office. It served as a flagship for the company specializing in industrial concrete production.

The revival of the historic building posed an ethical challenge in terms of the intervention limit on the existing structure. It is worth noting that over its 50 years of existence, the building had been covered in various hues and materials, with the most recent being an ochre shade, which obscured its original Brutalist texture. Therefore, the initial intervention focused on restoring the original (1972) composition of exposed concrete in all visible elements of the building (40,000 sqm).

 

Spatial Organization

The goal for the interior was not to eliminate intervention through a faithful reconstruction of its original form. The radical spatial rearrangements inside aimed to create a new space that was always there, in the building’s “subconscious” since 1972. This effort was primarily guided by the 1.20m x 1.20m grid, corresponding to the dimensions of the typical element of the barrel-vaulted roof. This grid became the basis for every architectural and electromechanical element of the building, designed upon the natural, three-dimensionally projected grid that defined the barrel-vaulted roof.

To highlight the geometry of the roof as the driving force behind the entire design, all mechanical or other equipment was removed. This contrasted with the initial state of the building, where the roof was covered with various false ceilings and other architectural and electromechanical elements. Thus, the previously “buried” barrel-vaulted roof serves as a significant archaeological finding that determines the new morphology of the building’s interior and guides the space “towards absolute architecture” (Jean Pierre Raynaud – Maison de La Celle-Saint-Cloud).

 

 

Material Palette

A fundamental intervention in the interior of the building is the implementation of a clear functional access axis on the horizontal plane, with continuous water surfaces. Additionally, a vertical axis is created by a series of self-supporting marble cantilevers integrated with the central staircase. Earthy materials and minimalist clean lines are applied to enhance the Brutalist elements of the building through contrast. Water elements are modernized, redesigned, and expanded within the building’s interior, while the central staircase is reoriented to relieve congestion and widen the circulation routes (horizontal and vertical) of the common areas. The mezzanine is removed, and a complete reconfiguration is executed in the entrance area, aiming to create a clean and iconic reception space. Auxiliary spaces are added, and an opening is made towards the surrounding area of the ground floor event hall to create a multifunctional contemporary space. Raised floors are implemented on all levels to accommodate all mechanical installations while leaving the barrel-vaulted slab untouched and visible. The courtyard is highlighted in the Administration area, and a limited, open-plan arrangement is employed in the closed office spaces with extensive use of glass, along with a functional open layout for the office areas. Finally, the basement is excavated with the aim of creating a wine cellar and tasting area.

 

 

Sustainability Strategy

Regarding the building envelope, all roof and terrace insulation is reconstructed, including waterproofing and thermal insulation. Thermal bridging points on all horizontal surfaces are addressed, minimizing them on vertical surfaces without causing any alteration to the facades. Additionally, all external openings are replaced with modern thermally broken aluminum frames and energy-efficient glazing. Solar shading systems are implemented to control sunlight, while water elements in the building’s exterior are modernized and expanded to provide natural cooling and improve the microclimate.

The architectural treatment of the facades is discreet, almost reverential, in terms of highlighting the character and overall philosophy of the building. One could argue that the choice of the same materials – concrete and glass, but in their present-day interpretation, almost 40 years later – better serves the core of the initial idea that governs the entire building, while simultaneously giving it a much more contemporary image.

 

Functional coexistence

Ergon Bakehouse operates simultaneously as a hotel, artisanal bakery, retail space, and restaurant – a multifaceted destination for gastronomy and hospitality in the historic center of Athens. It occupies a listed early-20th-century building designed by Vasilis Tsagris, where heritage architecture and contemporary use coexist in balance.

 

Design Philosophy

Originally housing residences and offices, with a commercial shop at ground level, the building stands as a representative example of classical Athenian architecture. Its architectural character has been carefully preserved, allowing the new design to integrate seamlessly with the existing fabric. Today, traces of both the building’s aesthetic and functional past remain visible, including plaster ornamentation, one of the original staircases, and the historic elevator. From the main entrance through to the guest rooms, the design narrative is guided by the life cycle of dough and the atmosphere of a traditional bakery.

The ground floor hosts the 72H Artisanal Bakery, where bread and baked goods are prepared and baked following a 72-hour resting process. A generous storefront draws visitors into three distinct zones: the retail area offering products for home baking, the cooking area, and the 72H Lab – the preparation space. Through existing openings, the open-plan workshop is fully visible, revealing processes that are typically concealed in conventional bakeries.

At the heart of the building lies the original entrance hall, which connects three key destinations: the retail shop and 72H Eatery, the hotel reception, and the waiting area. Vertical circulation is organized through two staircases and two elevators – one preserved from the original structure, and one newly introduced to meet contemporary circulation demands.

 

 

Functional Organization

Guest rooms are arranged across three floors, respecting the building’s original architectural layout and aligning with the existing façade openings that define their generous proportions. Each room reinterprets elements drawn from the world of the bakery and the professional kitchen. Dark firebrick surfaces, wall claddings, stainless steel worktops, and linen textiles come together to form a restrained yet tactile interior language.

Custom Elements & Lighting

Interior shutters were designed as an integrated blackout solution, fitted within the existing openings to modulate daylight and create a calm, intimate atmosphere. A defining feature of the rooms is the “ontas”, a multifunctional element that serves both as an additional sleeping surface and a place of rest – an architectural reference rooted in traditional Greek domestic spaces.

Lighting is intentionally minimal, precise, and atmospheric. A network of slender stainless-steel pipes runs throughout each room, supporting a variety of lighting applications. Due to structural reinforcements along the building’s perimeter walls, conventional cable routing was not possible. Instead, the piping system accommodates electrical wiring while simultaneously acting as a framework for lighting and textile suspension.

 

Careful restoration

In the heart of Corso Italia in Milan, a small yet highly significant interior within Casa Sissa – a residential building by Gio Ponti and Emilio Lancia – has been given renewed life and purpose. The architecture of the residence balances Rationalist, eclectic, and Novecento elements, emblematic of Italian design of the period. The intervention addresses the theme of conservative restoration with philological rigor, while carefully accommodating new functions related to contemporary professional use.

 

Spatial Organization

The studio occupies a wing of the building facing Corso Italia. The plan is organized around an entrance hall equipped with full-height cabinetry, leading to a large, luminous open workspace. This is complemented by a more intimate meeting room overlooking the internal garden, a coffee area, a bathroom with an antechamber, and discreetly concealed technical zones. The original layout is respected throughout: double-leaf glazed doors, reconstructed after the loss of the originals, open onto the principal spaces, while smoked oak boiseries line the entrance, adding warmth and depth.

 

Material Palette

All design decisions stem from close engagement with the existing fabric. The original oak floors, laid in a herringbone pattern in the meeting room and in 40×40cm diamond-patterned parquet tiles in the work area, were carefully recovered, reassembled, and integrated where necessary to accommodate new technical systems. This rare flooring, discovered beneath later coverings, was restored with meticulous attention. In other areas, black cementine tiles imitating Belgian Black marble were retained; where suitable replacements could not be sourced, continuity was ensured through slabs of actual marble matched in tone and finish.

Wall surfaces were treated with an almost archaeological approach. Original 1930s plasters and decorative finishes, concealed beneath subsequent layers, were revealed, consolidated, and reintegrated where lacunae existed. In the meeting room, the green wall tone recalls the chromatic palette of the era. Windows, handles, and hinges were also restored: each metal element was dismantled, cleaned, and, in some cases, recast from molds, revealing the variety of original brass and iron finishes. Positioned between Modernism and Novecento taste, these details testify to a project in which elegance and technical precision intersect with material culture.

 

 

Furnishings & Restoration Practices

The built-in furnishings, entirely custom-designed, define functions with discretion. Storage units, consoles, and worktables in bleached ash articulate the space without interrupting the historical legibility of the interiors. The condominium entrance hall is conceived as an integral part of the project. Though still awaiting restoration, it preserves original wall cladding in Palissandro Blu marble – a rare Italian stone from Piedmont – laid in a diamond pattern, a motif echoed in the office flooring.

Other notable elements include the striped plaster ceiling, a recessed lamp beneath a marble bench, and a large, glazed window that floods the staircase with light, all poised between Novecento and Modernist sensibilities. The intervention stands as both an act of care toward the historic fabric and a clear declaration of method.

 

Urban recovery

The architectural proposal for the adaptive reuse of the iconic Mínion department store in the center of Athens posed a significant challenge, as the restoration of its extensive, abandoned shell became an opportunity for a design approach with a clear narrative and morphological intent.

 

Design Philosophy

The central design idea interprets the historical layering of the urban block, shaped over time by the gradual consolidation of different properties during its operation as a department store. The selection of a three-color palette for the façade’s functions symbolically, subtly alluding to the composition of the individual buildings. In this way, the project establishes a dialogue with the surrounding urban fabric, expressed through a distinctly rationalist and understated rhythm.

Particular emphasis was placed on redesigning the base of the building. Through a pronounced shift in architectural language and typology, the arcades along the street frontage were shaped with arches, evoking a more commercial and urban Athens of the past. The varying geometry of the openings responds to the existing structural framework, preserving the building’s constructional identity.

 

 

Functional Organization

The new “double” envelope consists of two layers: the inner one is organized through the rhythm of the openings to maximize natural daylight, while the outer one is formed by a grid of colored metal shading panels. The composition draws references from Athenian rationalism, modernism, and the city’s neoclassical heritage, adding depth and a three-dimensional expression. The engraved “Mínion” logo, carved into the marble cladding, marks the building’s renewed identity with respect for its past.

 

 

Bioclimatic Design

Bioclimatic principles inform the entire project. More than 97% of the load-bearing structure was preserved, reducing demolition and the embodied carbon footprint. Automation and management systems for lighting and climate control were implemented, achieving significant energy savings, while the use of low-emission materials enhances the building’s sustainable character. The green roof, planted with Mediterranean vegetation, improves the local microclimate. Now accommodating both commercial and office uses, and achieving an excellent environmental performance certified with LEED Gold, Mínion is reintroduced to the city not as a memory, but as an active, sustainable chapter of its urban future.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Timeless monument

Located in the Valle d’Itria in Italy’s Puglia region, the Trulli architecture is renowned for its iconic white stone walls and conical limestone roofs. These unique architectural forms, dating back to the 16th century, carry historical and cultural significance.

 

Design Philosophy

When the Franco family commissioned a vacation home, the site’s three weathered Trulli buildings immediately became the focal point. Their aged marks, together with the surrounding olive groves, defined the essence of the design. The challenge was to restore and renovate these ancient domed stone houses while adding extensions and a pool, creating a retreat where history and modernity meet. The balance lay in merging the vibrant personalities of the owners with the equally rich soul of the site, setting the house apart from ordinary vacation homes.

The property remains grounded in its natural setting. The estate’s red earth was left exposed, while a swimming pool reflects the olive groves, extending the atmosphere of the landscape. Interiors were kept minimal, adorned with local artworks and subtle furnishings so that attention remains on the relationship between architecture and nature. This retreat is more than a summer home: it is a monument to time, where ancient forms are rejuvenated and allowed to coexist with modern life.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The property presents a narrative of time through its arrangement of structures. From the original conical Trulli to the stone house extended a century ago, and finally to the new additions, the layout embodies a “time gradient.” Smaller stones of the Trulli contrast with the larger blocks of the century-old extension, while new volumes complete the sequence. Arranged from left to right -old to new- this gradient reflects not only architectural evolution but also the continuity of family bonds and cultural heritage. The main entrance is placed in the century-old section, linking history on one side and modernity on the other. This zone serves as both entrance and living space, with large openings cut into the thick stone walls and custom furnishings bridging tradition and innovation.

The left side accommodates the oldest Trulli, converted into two bedrooms that preserve their historical textures, with lighting highlighting architectural details. To the right, newly constructed spaces house the kitchen, master bedroom, and communal areas. The kitchen functions as the heart of family life, equipped with a concrete island and a stainless steel workstation that serve both cooking and dining. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open toward the olive groves, blending daily activities with natural surroundings.

 

 

Material Palette

Respect for craftsmanship guided the restoration of the Trulli. Damaged sections were repaired using original mortar-free masonry, a technique that insulates while preserving centuries-old building wisdom. Collaboration with local stonemasons required adaptation: rather than relying solely on experience, design intentions were marked directly onto walls and floors with spray paint, ensuring clarity. This practical strategy created harmony between traditional skill and contemporary design. Inside and out, natural stone, concrete, glass, and understated finishes were selected to emphasize durability and authenticity.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Urban refuge

Located in a heritage building from the early 20th century, this project serves as a bridge between past and present -an exceptional fusion of history and modernity. The restoration of the building, recognized as a historical landmark, was carried out with a focus on preserving its original architectural elements, rescuing details that tell stories of bygone eras and allowing its essence to remain alive.

 

Design Philosophy

In the heart of the city, this space has been transformed into a place where coffee is not only tasted but also experienced and lived. More than just a café, it is a tribute to tradition and contemporary culture, a meeting point where the aroma of freshly roasted beans blends with the rich history of the building and the warmth of its design. Conceived to breathe new life into the urban center and challenge the growing disconnect with these spaces, the studio designed a renovation that reinterprets the past without losing its authenticity, offering an atmosphere of introspection, connection, and discovery.

 

 

Functional Organization

The journey begins at the soul of the project: a coffee roaster that, beyond being a key element in production, stands as a symbol of the artisanal process that defines the character of the space. Adjacent to it, the experimentation lab serves as an alchemical stage where baristas and experts refine recipes and explore new ways to extract the essence of coffee. Finally, the experience culminates in the tasting area, a warm and immersive environment where visitors can savor the result of this meticulous process. These spaces intertwine seamlessly, allowing guests not only to enjoy a beverage but also to witness the journey each bean takes -from roasting to cup.

 

 

Restoration Strategy

Rather than imposing itself on its history, the design embraces the past, carefully restoring original elements such as wooden paneling and stone-carved frames. These details, combined with handcrafted contemporary furniture and materials like wood, metal, and textiles, create a harmonious dialogue between old and new. This intervention is not just about renovating a building but about redefining its meaning, integrating modern elements without losing its identity.

Beyond its aesthetic value, this transformation is a commitment to the revitalization of the urban core, encouraging the community to reclaim the space and fostering a stronger sense of connection. At a time when cities have prioritized mobility over livability, this project demonstrates that design can be a powerful tool to reconnect people with their surroundings. Here, among the aroma of freshly roasted coffee and the warmth of a thoughtfully restored space, visitors find a refuge where time slows down and history can be savored in every sip.

 

Material subtraction

Located in Aphrodite Hills Resort, the residence was an imitation of traditional architecture, characterized by unnecessary ornamentation. The challenge was to refresh it while preserving its original shell.

 

Design Philosophy

The proposal removes superfluous elements, reshaping the interior layout for greater transparency, natural light, and open views, creating a bright and airy atmosphere. Large openings frame the southwest landscape, offering framed vistas toward the sunset and horizon. The villa’s extension is designed as a harmonious addition of volumes that retain their distinct identity.

 

 

Functional Layout

Three rectangular prisms are strategically arranged around the existing structure, incorporating the new bedroom to the west, the office with its en-suite bathroom to the south, and a redesigned entrance area to the northeast. Their clean geometry and flat roofs contrast with the original pitched roofs, creating a dynamic balance between old and new. A raised, covered veranda on the southwest side reconnects the interior with nature, providing shade and cooling while framing the sunset, pool reflections, and lush greenery.

 

 

Material Palette

The material palette is natural and earthy. The front façade retains and restores the porphyry cobblestone flooring, emphasizing the car circulation area. The southwest façade preserves local Kivides stone, complemented by a reed-screened pergola that creates an evolving interplay of light and shadow. High-quality Italian ceramic flooring extends seamlessly between interior and exterior, reinforcing continuity and fluid movement. The intervention breathes new life into the structure, blending contemporary simplicity with traditional essence, resulting in a refined, functional retreat.

 

Spatial extensions

The project involves renovating and extending a Victorian-era house in West London, transforming it with a modern open-plan layout. The design enhances natural light throughout the interior while seamlessly integrating the home with a spacious rear courtyard for improved functionality and flow.

 

Spatial Layout

The common areas of the two-bedroom home are situated on the raised floor, while the private bedroom spaces are located on the ground floor. Lateral spatial extensions and strategic subdivision allow for an expanded living area, optimizing functionality for a growing family.

The existing rear courtyard is excavated and redesigned with terraces, providing the ground-floor bedrooms with direct access to the newly landscaped garden. Similarly, a small pre-existing balcony is transformed into a spacious loft, seamlessly linking the raised floor to the garden. Ceramic cobbles on the ground and a striking red handrail enhance the natural and visual continuity between the roof, garden, and understated courtyard.

 

 

Restoration Approach

The ground floor extension is clad in Accoya wood paneling, offering a sleek, contemporary contrast to the Victorian details of the upper floor. Strategically placed skylights draw natural light deep into the space, while a green roof visually connects the garden to the upper level living areas. Within the interior, the demolition of internal walls and the addition of new structural cladding enable a substantial expansion of the ground floor’s double-height spaces. This transformation creates a seamless, uninterrupted view spanning the entire length of the interior, from front to back.

 

 

Materials & Construction

Some original features of the building, including the fireplaces and roof cornices, are preserved and restored. In other areas, the plastered walls are stripped back to expose the original brickwork. New metal doors and glazed windows enhance the existing architectural elements, adding an industrial touch. The material palette emphasizes raw, elemental qualities, with solid Douglas fir planks on the floors, Carrara marble on the kitchen counters, and pink mosaic tiles in the hallways and new stairwell.

 

Interactive Spaces

The 78m² apartment is located in a building constructed in 1966. To modernize the space and align it with contemporary needs, essential structural repairs were undertaken alongside significant spatial modifications.

 

Spatial Organisation

The original apartment featured separate spaces for the kitchen, living room, and hallway, along with two bedrooms and a bathroom. The new design integrates the kitchen with the two-bedroom areas, while the transitional hallway is repurposed as the primary space for the dining area. The kitchen and living room now follow a linear layout, creating a harmonious flow as their design elements align seamlessly. A small corridor, painted in a distinctive green colour, connects the bedrooms and bathroom, marking a clear transition from the shared spaces to the private ones.

 

Material Palette

The mosaic floors, featuring three distinct patterns unique to each space, along with the parquet flooring, were preserved and polished, with marble used to highlight the trace of the removed wall. In order to seamlessly blend old and new materials, the kitchen, positioned prominently in a linear layout opposite the entrance, is painted in a terracotta red shade, harmonizing the diverse range of materials.

 

Lighting Design

Ceiling fixtures provide the primary lighting for the space, while wall fixtures and hidden lighting offer diffused illumination, allowing for versatile lighting scenarios that create to different atmospheres and moods.

Spatial cohesion

The project involves transforming a classic 1970s detached house in a suburban area of Thessaloniki to better accommodate the contemporary needs of its new inhabitants.

 

Design Philosophy

The project’s restoration is centered around key principles: the building’s connection to its surroundings, as well as its bioclimatic, aesthetic, and functional enhancement through a combination of enclosed, transitional, and open spaces. While preserving the existing structure, an effort is made to distinguish between the two-storey and single-storey volumes. Specifically, the two-storey volume maintains its solid characteristics, while the walls of the single-storey volume are demolished, thus creating a series of large openings to increase natural light in the bedrooms.

 

Landscape Design

A key project decision is the restoration of the ground floor’s elevation in relation to the garden. With this adjustment, along with the addition of sunshades and large windows, the interior and exterior spaces now function as a unified whole, offering visual and functional continuity. This creates inviting transitions from the interior of the house to the garden. Additionally, the old wooden canopies are replaced with new aluminum structures featuring pivoting and fixed sunshades, forming pleasant transitional spaces and “outdoor rooms” for seating and dining.

 

Circulation Spaces

The main entrance is now accessed via a curved, “S”-shaped path designed to maximize the open space of the front courtyard. This path highlights the garden’s most prominent feature, a cedar tree, which serves as the focal point of the garden’s design. Ultimately, the interventions to the building’s shell and its surroundings, along with the interior renovations (including the addition of an elevator, upgrades to electrical and mechanical systems, and new finishes), significantly extend the building’s lifespan.

Below the roof

The project is a 450m2 single-family home on a working ranch outside of Fredericksburg. It is a testament to rigorous modern design found in central Texas, vernacular in its form as well as finishes.

 

Design Approach

The clients wished to escape city life and move to the countryside, where they would sustainably raise bison and turkeys, while residing in a local ranch. The residence, apart from all the typical functions, had to provide spaces for the business operation, including podcasts and educational events. The design aesthetic retains the original ranch feel, while, accommodating modern accents and amenities. Additionally, the two existing buildings situated on the property are preserved, featuring a kitchen and dining area as well as a detached bedroom.

 

Spatial Layout

The spatial organization preserves an uninterrupted flow, where the communal spaces, the offices, the bedrooms along with the carport and gym reside under a single roof. This linear plan emerged from pragmatic constraints in the construction phase, during which the architects considered the need to occupy the space at all times and thus resulting to a fully resolved and clean structure.

 

Materials & Construction Details

The roof is made of corrugated polycarbonate material, creating a stunning architectural form, while allowing ample natural light in the rooms. At the same time, a discrete steel structure provides additional support at the compound cantilevers. The material selection is primarily based on natural tones and textures: dark wood is used throughout the space, while concrete, tiles and local stone clad an array of accent walls.

Traditional extension

The project’s aim is the preservation and restoration of a listed building and its transformation into a residence for a modern family.

 

Sustainable Design Strategy

The first step was to demolish parts of the building, restoring it to its original form, significantly expanding the inner courtyard (yard) and allowing sunlight to access the interior space. The yard becomes the protagonist of the space and is comprised of a plethora of trees, low vegetation and an orthogonal pool. It also acts as the main circulation area that provides access to the interior. Finally, the residence’s optimal orientation and relationship to the yard offers an abundance of thermal comfort and natural ventilation to the space.

 

House Extension & Materials

The new additions follow the traditional design aesthetic and philosophy of the original structure. The connection joint between the listed building and the extension is carefully designed to prevent any damage caused by earthquakes, by becoming thermally insulated and waterproofed, while a small gap highlights the difference between the two volumes.

Great emphasis is placed in the overall material selection. The two buildings are harmoniously connected through distinctive colors as well as forms. The newly built rectangular volumes that accommodate the new functions are painted in natural colors to match the traditional aesthetic. Furthermore, red is used extensively in order to match the traditional Limassol roofs scattered throughout the city.

 

Spatial Organization

The entrance to the residence is through the foyer that leads to a semi-autonomous room that functions as an office, a workshop or a guest room and provides direct access to the courtyard. The right wing of the building includes the living room, dining area, kitchen and the two bedrooms organised in a linear arrangement. Special attention is given to the bathroom’s design, both in terms of materials and form: an excavated bathtub is clad in green tiles in an attempt to extend the yard’s nature-like aesthetic to the residence’s interior.

Intermediate volumes

The project for the Ridotto (namely the Second Hall) of the Rossini Theater defines a contemporary environment that blends the abstract space of European performance theatre with the historical tradition of Italian opera.

 

Design Philosophy

The design is conceived as a theatre within a theatre, an ephemeral and reversible device that allows the perception of the traditional building paired with the presence of the urban scene. Alongside the grand historical hall, a new, dynamic and reconfigurable space is designed to accommodate performing arts, music, drama, dance, theatre as well as community and political events. The historic shell becomes reconfigured by removing the existing pillars and creating a second scenic space with great flexibility and accessibility that eradicates the distinction between the audience and the performer.

 

Existing Facade

The Sala della Repubblica has been redesigned to bear witness to and reinterpret the evolutionary history of this portion of the building. This begins by highlighting the original 18th-century facade, later incorporated into the theater. In parts where that facade has been demolished, large walls cladded in golden panels serve as a tribute to the baroque theatre’s design, while simultaneously concealing electrical and mechanical systems.

 

Materials & Custom Structures

The project’s most distinct design element, however, is a sliding system of double-layered fabric walls along a track suspended from the ceiling that allows for ever-changing configurations throughout the space. The curtains can move in any direction offering visual as well as acoustic privacy when needed. The enclosed space, when fully open, can accommodate 150 people. The floor is made of pine wood painted in black and supported on a timber frame, forming a unified surface upon which any distinction between the audience and the performance is eliminated.

Urban impact

The hotel is located in the Plaza Saltillo neighborhood and includes eighty-three rooms situated within a five-story, L-shaped tower and an adjoining two-story podium which houses two restaurants, three bars, a coffee shop, leasable street-side retail space and a parking lot.

 

Design Philosophy

The project’s philosophy questions the established luxury hotel “requirements”: the grand entry, the hotel restaurant and the spacious -albeit regularly empty- lobby. Instead, the design features a dynamic, functional layout inspired by the material typologies of the surrounding 1920s warehouses as well as the masonry and concrete construction found at Huston Tillotson University, a facility situated next to the project. The resulting building becomes a synergy between high-quality architecture and cost-conscious design strategies.

 

Façade Morphology & Materials

The facade morphology acts as a playful response to the area’s construction regulations, in which buildings longer than 30m should include, at least, 0.6m by 6m overhangs. As a result, the design employs a series of articulated concrete “ribbons,” formulating long awnings, protected overhangs and corner balconies for hotel guests. The discrete horizontal lines made of concrete are interrupted by a series of carefully selected materials in shades of black.

 

Contextual Design

The ground floor includes a mix of restaurants situated adjacent to a low-rise brick building with great historical significance. The existing structure is preserved, featuring a bar and a restaurant, and connects to the new addition via the kitchen space. By referencing the architectural language still present in East Austin’s built environment, the project becomes a powerful and original response to an urban context comprised of largely homogenized residential buildings.

Nostalgic atmosphere

The apartment is situated in the heart of Kyiv, on Bohdana Khmelnytskoho Street, in a residential building dating back to 1900 and which is distinguished by its classical architecture.

 

Design Philosophy

A series of distinctive features such as a spacious corridor-gallery with large windows and arches, as well as a balcony, serve as the cornerstone of the project’s concept. The corridor acts as a central artery, extending throughout the entire apartment and seamlessly integrating all areas into a cohesive space.

 

Apartment Restoration

The arches are made of an internal wooden frame that supports different patterns of decorative plaster molding, while the corridor is carefully integrated in the kitchen, serving as a conservatory for plants. Additionally, numerous spatial imperfections were identified throughout the space, including wall cracks, variations in floor levels and exposed utilities, which are eventually demolished. Consequently, the flooring is refurbished, while the apartment’s large openings are reinforced through the construction of custom metal frames.

 

Furniture & Materials

The design fuses existing classical elements with mid-century design pieces from the 1930s to the 1970s, seamlessly integrating them into the apartment’s ambiance. Vintage furniture and lighting fixtures collectively evoke a nostalgic retro atmosphere. To cultivate a sense of stability and tranquility, materials such as natural oak, marble, stainless steel, and brass were meticulously selected. Following a series of material research experiments, sand is also incorporated into the terrazzo flooring, while marble chips are embedded within mineral plaster on the walls, enhancing the material’s texture. Finally, a collection of paintings and sculptures elegantly compliment the interior.

Sustainable heritage

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

 

Layout Restoration

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

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

 

Local Materials

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

 

Elevating energy performance

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

Cohesive enclosure

The 4,800 m2 building includes the new office space, production unit and storage areas for a series of products, of Kikero Hellas (Calpak).

 

Integration with the urban landscape

The 25,500 m2 plot, houses an existing office building, a production unit and warehouses of 3,500 m2. The overarching design principles strive to maximize the building’s visibility from the street and to the visitor, while also presenting its morphological form as a cohesive singular volume, regardless of the diverse functions occurring within its interior

Based on the above, the curved facade was designed to unify the boundaries of the building and highlight both its morphological contrast in relation to the existing structures as well as the company’s transition to a new era.

 

Layout Configuration

The new building is divided into three functional zones. In the first, and in direct relation to the public character of the street, the offices were placed on an elevated level, offering the best view to the employees, both to the exterior surrounding and the production space.

The ground floor area houses the assembly room and the company’s museum exhibits. The second, intermediate zone, is the new production unit, which is adjacent to the office space.

The third zone houses the warehouses, located in the most private and inner area of the site and a short distance from the existing storage units. This layout minimizes the physical distance and transportation between the different business functions and prevents the workers and finished products from being exposed to the exterior environmental conditions of the site.

 

Hybrid Functionalities

The integration of the office spaces with the production unit is achieved through the use of interior transparency. The offices are located at an elevated level and communicate visually through glass panels with each other and with the production unit, thus enhancing the sense of team spirit that reflects the company’s culture.

 

Sustainable Design

The building’s energy performance is highlighted by the use of perforated sheet metal shading panels and the design of an internal atrium that provides natural lighting and ventilation to both the offices and the production unit.