Programmatic coexistence

“Just Don’t Call it a Lab”

The Warren Woods Ecological Field Station, designed for the University of Chicago’s Department of Ecology and Evolution, constitutes the first certified Passive House laboratory facility in North America. With a total surface area of 220m², the building demonstrates how research environments can meet rigorous energy-performance standards while simultaneously supporting scientific inquiry, education, and community engagement. Situated within a 42-acre site in southwest Michigan, it establishes a framework for addressing critical questions related to ecology and human adaptation in the Anthropocene.

 

Programmatic Integration

The facility accommodates a fully equipped laboratory, seminar space, bathrooms, and a compact kitchen. A second-floor loft and an accessible roof deck provide flexible areas for retreats and collective activities, while three adjacent bunkhouses and a wash house support seasonal programs. The interior spaces are carefully daylit, balancing the technical requirements of scientific equipment with occupant comfort. This duality allows advanced research processes to coexist with the stringent demands of Passive House performance.

 

 

Environmental Strategy

Energy efficiency and programmatic complexity inform every aspect of the design. Laboratory spaces are strategically located in the cooler northwest corner of the building to counterbalance the heat generated by plant-growth chambers, ultra-low-temperature freezers, and DNA extraction equipment. A deep roof overhang mitigates solar gain on west-facing glazing, while a comprehensive ventilation system captures and redistributes or exhausts waste heat according to seasonal needs, ensuring optimal indoor environmental conditions.

 

 

Material Palette

The building is articulated through a combination of a long shed roof, expansive south-facing glazing, and operable perforated-metal screens that regulate solar exposure throughout the year. A super-insulated concrete slab contributes to thermal stability, maintaining consistent interior temperatures. The exterior is clad in distressed cedar siding, wrapping a series of abstract geometric volumes that anchor the structure within its wooded context while simultaneously expressing its technological and scientific character.

As both a research infrastructure and a prototype for sustainable design, the Warren Woods Ecological Field Station establishes a new paradigm for high-performance laboratory architecture in remote environments, aligning technical precision with ecological responsibility.

 

Cohesive framework

Conceived as a new architectural landmark for South Tyrol, the Museum Depot responds to the need for a centralized facility dedicated to the protection, conservation, and public accessibility of the region’s cultural assets. The project rethinks the fragmented system of existing depots, consolidating diverse collections into a unified structure that accommodates over one million objects, ranging from artworks and museum holdings to archaeological finds and audiovisual archives.

 

Programmatic Integration

The proposal addresses a dual objective: to operate as a highly efficient preservation facility while simultaneously engaging with the cultural and institutional demands of the region. Rather than functioning as a series of isolated storage units, the building establishes a cohesive framework that integrates research, conservation, and exhibition. Offices, laboratories, workshops, storage areas, and public galleries coexist within a single architectural system, fostering collaboration and exchange between institutions.

The spatial organization prioritizes relationships and workflows, structuring the program around a central courtyard that introduces natural light into the working environments while offering visual and physical access to a landscaped outdoor space. This arrangement enhances both functionality and user experience, positioning the depot as an active cultural infrastructure rather than a purely technical repository.

 

 

 

Spatial Strategy & Sustainability

A key aspect of the design lies in the careful distribution of functions across different levels. Storage and exhibition spaces are located underground, ensuring stable climatic conditions essential for the long-term preservation of sensitive artifacts. Above ground, administrative and research functions benefit from daylight and visual permeability, creating a balanced working environment.

Circulation is conceived as a continuous and legible system, connecting the various programmatic elements while reinforcing their interdependence. The interior is defined by clear spatial sequences and controlled transitions, allowing both staff and visitors to navigate seamlessly through the building.

 

Design Philosophy

The architectural form draws from the vernacular typologies of South Tyrol’s alpine and valley regions, translating traditional elements into a contemporary language. A raised, pitched roof defines the building’s silhouette, while the street-facing entrance opens into a transparent and welcoming foyer.

Partially embedded into the ground, the structure reduces its visual impact and establishes a sensitive relationship with the surrounding landscape. The green roof extends the natural terrain, reinforcing continuity between the built form and its environment. This integration is further emphasized by the material palette and the modulation of volumes, which echo local architectural references while maintaining a distinct contemporary identity.

The main entrance connects directly to the urban fabric and adjacent plaza, while additional access points through underground parking ensure functional efficiency. At the heart of the interior, a sculptural spiral staircase acts as both a spatial and symbolic element, linking the exhibition spaces below with the public and administrative areas above.

Upon completion, the Museum Depot will not only provide optimal conservation conditions for previously dispersed collections but will also reposition them as accessible and active components of the region’s cultural landscape, reinforcing their value within both local and broader contexts.

 

Lighting compositions

In mid-July, the new architectural lighting installation for the Hellenic Parliament Building and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was completed, accompanied by the energy upgrade of the underground parking areas and the complex’s nursery facility. The new lighting design seeks to redefine the nocturnal presence of the building and its surrounding space, situating the intervention within a contemporary framework of environmental responsibility and sustainability.

 

Lighting Philosophy & LED Technology

The new lighting scheme was implemented exclusively using advanced LED technology, with particular emphasis on chromatic consistency and precise control of the light sources. Each luminaire is digitally controlled in terms of both intensity and operating duration, allowing the creation of dynamic lighting scenarios with a high degree of accuracy.

The combined use of energy-efficient light sources and an automated high-precision control system ensures optimal energy performance. From sunset onwards, the luminous composition of the façades evolves subtly, with smooth transitions in intensity that respond to the time of day, the day of the week, and the season, forming a dynamic yet refined nocturnal image.

 

 

Technical Characteristics

A central focus of the study was the mitigation of light pollution. For this reason, the lighting system allows for the automatic adjustment of colour temperature, shifting from cooler white tones to warmer light. The warmer spectrum, characterised by reduced blue light content, significantly limits the impact on the night sky.

This transition takes place daily from midnight until dawn, ensuring that the lighting remains compatible with the city’s natural nocturnal environment. At the same time, the luminaires are equipped with precision optical systems, lockable aiming mechanisms and anti-glare accessories, minimizing light spill toward the sky.

At the compositional level, the lighting highlights the façades of both the Parliament Building and the Monument, emphasizing the rhythm and plasticity of architectural elements such as pediments, cornices, pilasters and porticoes, as well as individual features including the monument’s central relief, shields and inscriptions. In parallel, light sources with a high colour rendering index revive the texture and colour of the materials, as well as the sculptures of Eleftherios Venizelos, Charilaos Trikoupis and the figure of the Mother.

 

 

Energy Upgrade

The integration of the new lighting equipment was carried out with particular care, ensuring that the morphological characteristics of the listed historic building were preserved. The luminaires installed on the façades underwent special colour treatment to match the surface of installation, allowing them to remain almost invisible during the daytime. In addition, the historic lamp posts and decorative lanterns of the Parliament complex were restored and upgraded.

Over the 15-month construction period, the project presented significant technical challenges, as all works were carried out while the building remained in full operation. The age of the building, combined with the numerous interventions that have taken place over the past 180 years, made the management of electrical routes particularly demanding, while the hybrid nature of the lighting management system required the extensive installation of fibre-optic networks.

Specially designed luminaires were also developed for specific architectural elements, such as the coffers of the porticoes, ensuring that the final result responded fully to the particular spatial requirements. The interventions were carried out with the contribution of a specialized conservation team, ensuring the protection of the building’s aesthetic and historical integrity.

The project’s energy upgrade is particularly significant. In the five-level underground parking facility and the nursery building, nominal energy consumption was reduced from 137KW in the previous installation to 41KW. Furthermore, thanks to the intelligent lighting management system, the final energy consumption is limited to just 29KW. This substantial reduction enhances the overall energy efficiency of the complex while contributing to the sustainable operation of one of the country’s most emblematic public buildings.

 

Corrugated form

The proposal concerns the reconstruction of a seven-storey office building on Syngrou Avenue and seeks to assign a central role to the building’s architectural identity, shaping the surrounding urban and cultural landscape while serving as the primary means of presenting the building as a contemporary landmark within the city.

 

Design Philosophy

Through an analysis of the building’s relationship with its wider urban context, the design proposes the relocation of the main axis of movement onto the façade facing Syngrou Avenue. This gesture became the geometric foundation for the development of the new architectural expression of the building envelope.

Drawing on the experience of movement along the urban axis, a system reminiscent of chronophotography was conceived – an image that condenses the perception of sequential motion into a single, legible form. In this way, movement is translated into architectural language, granting the building a dynamic and recognizable presence within the urban fabric.

The composition is articulated through a system of vertical elements consisting of sixty-four custom-made, wave-shaped louvers, each with a unique geometric development. Their repetition and variation generate a rhythmic surface that changes according to the observer’s viewpoint and the trajectory of natural light.

 

 

Sustainable Design

A central objective of the project was the integration of sustainable design principles. The building was designed and constructed with the aim of achieving LEED Gold certification, incorporating strategies that enhance both energy efficiency and environmental performance.

Within this framework, a specialized parametric study was carried out for the façade louver system to ensure optimal penetration of natural light into the interior spaces while simultaneously providing thermal and visual comfort. The dynamic form of the façade therefore operates not only as an aesthetic feature but also as an active filtering system for daylight and shading, contributing to the regulation of the microclimate and the overall environmental performance of the building.

 

Façade Lighting Design

The sense of movement created by the wave-like louvers is intensified by the interplay of light and shadow throughout the day. Continuous variations in illumination transform the appearance of the façade, giving it a shifting character that responds to the movement of the sun.

During the evening hours, the building’s architectural identity is further emphasized through a permanent lighting installation designed specifically for each point, angle and element of the façade. A carefully calibrated sequence of subtle variations in white light runs along the building envelope, establishing a quiet dialogue with the city’s nocturnal landscape.

Particular emphasis was placed on minimizing light pollution. The lighting fixtures are controlled through specialized systems that allow them to operate at very low luminance levels, thereby protecting the surrounding urban environment.

At roof level, a recreational terrace with views towards the Acropolis is created, framed by planting. This space offers a moment of release for the building’s users, introducing an element of greenery and relaxation within the dense urban fabric of central Athens.

 

Targeted interventions

Athena Residence is the renovation of a 1960s apartment in central Athens, conceived as a small-scale hospitality project within the dense urban fabric of Kolonaki.

 

Adaptive Reuse

Located in Kolonaki and completed in 2024, the project responds to the evolving reality of contemporary Athens, where domestic interiors are increasingly required to accommodate hybrid modes of inhabitation – daily life alongside short-term stays. Working within the constraints of an existing building and a tightly defined budget, the project adopts a strategy of light yet decisive intervention. Rather than pursuing formal transformation, the design prioritizes reuse, spatial clarity and long-term performance.

The original timber flooring was carefully retained and restored, grounding the apartment in its material past. New bespoke joinery elements in timber and brass organize the kitchen, storage and wardrobes as fixed architectural components rather than loose furnishings, reinforcing a sense of permanence and cohesion. Subtle reconfigurations of the layout enhance circulation, daylight penetration and spatial flexibility, allowing the apartment to adapt to shifting patterns of occupation without altering its structural logic.

 

 

Sustainability Approach

Operational energy formed a central pillar of the project’s sustainable agenda. In a city where much of the residential stock remains energetically inefficient, the renovation focused on substantially reducing operational demand instead of relying on superficial upgrades. High-performance glazing, low-energy lighting, photovoltaic provision and the replacement of the existing gas heating system with an air-source heat pump collectively led to a reduction of more than 65% in operational energy consumption. The apartment’s energy classification was upgraded from Z to B+, marking a significant environmental improvement within the existing shell.

 

 

Design Philosophy

Athena Residence reflects a broader architectural attitude emerging in Athens, one that values continuity, responsibility and careful engagement with the existing built fabric. Rather than extracting value through spectacle, the project demonstrates how targeted, precise interventions can enhance comfort, environmental performance and longevity. In doing so, it proposes an alternative model of small-scale hospitality: one embedded in the city’s everyday life, respectful of its material history and oriented toward durable, long-term use.

 

Pocket Nursery

Set within a garden in the Belgian countryside stands the newly constructed wooden volume of Pocket Nursery, a 120m² “pocket” kindergarten whose architecture seeks to support learning through action and physical engagement.

 

Design Philosophy

In response to the programmatic requirements and the specific pedagogical approach, the creation of a space capable of cultivating design sensitivity in children was not simply desirable, but fundamental. The scope of spatial experimentation was largely determined by the thickness of the walls: their lower sections incorporate small steps for toddlers learning to stand, while their inclined surfaces double as drawing boards. Openings are positioned at the children’s eye level, establishing a direct visual connection with the garden, which functions as both a spatial extension and an integral component of the educational experience. An inclined table is also embedded within the walls, serving alternately as a pottery workstation or as a communal surface for shared meals.

 

 

Custom Construction

The ceiling – so often an overlooked architectural element, typically relegated to housing smoke detectors and mechanical devices – assumes a central role in this project. Considering that infants spend the first nine months of their lives lying on their backs or crawling, the ceiling design integrates not only structural logic but also acoustic performance and lighting strategy. Necessary equipment is discreetly concealed between layers of wooden panels, which articulate circulation toward the garden and the dormitories.

 

 

Material Palette

Construction time efficiency played a decisive role in shaping the project’s design strategy. Avoiding prefabricated wall systems and costly psychomotor furniture, the spatial framework was conceived to integrate both structure and furnishing into a continuous series of timber frames. Executed in laminated plywood sheets, the turned wooden frames were preassembled into units of three to four segments within just a few days, then transported to the site where they were joined together. The result is a cohesive environment that bridges interactive design and pedagogy through construction itself.

 

Prefabricated elements

The project exemplifies an approach to residential architecture in which buildings are conceived as integral parts of their landscapes, while simultaneously advancing sustainable construction methods and future-oriented living models.

 

Design Philosophy

The residence was developed in close collaboration with the clients and explored on screen as part of a nationally recognized architecture and design program, marking a milestone in the adoption of prefabricated residential construction within a mainstream context. Particular emphasis was placed on the clarity and predictability of the construction process, with off-site fabrication allowing for strict cost control, precision, and consistency between design intent and delivery. The approach demonstrated a forward-looking model for self-built housing, in which efficiency, quality, and economic certainty are aligned.

 

 

Spatial Layout

Set within a private rural plot, the single-storey dwelling is organized to support long-term adaptability and contemporary family living. The program unfolds across four bedrooms, generous living, dining, and kitchen areas, complemented by a snug, office, and utility spaces. Additional functions are accommodated within a series of outbuildings, including a garage, gym, and workshop, which are arranged around landscaped garden zones. These outdoor spaces are shaped by the subtle rotation of the floor plan, creating varied orientations, framed views, and sheltered external areas.

 

 

Material & Construction

The building envelope is clad in black charred timber sourced in the UK, allowing the dwelling to visually recede into its natural surroundings. This material strategy balances contextual sensitivity with a strong contemporary presence, reinforcing the relationship between architecture and landscape.

The house was delivered as five prefabricated volumetric modules, installed on site within a single day. This off-site construction strategy enabled high levels of build accuracy, reduced on-site disruption, and minimized embodied carbon. Sustainably sourced timber, integrated solar systems, and a lightweight structural assembly further reinforce the project’s environmental performance.

 

Platonic solids

Cyprus Planetarium is composed of two buildings that house a Planetarium, exhibition zones, a conference center, an amphitheater–observatory, an astronomical observatory, a restaurant, and educational facilities. It is located in Episkopeio, in the Nicosia district, and stands as a landmark project for Cypriot society.

 

Design Philosophy

It is a pioneering complex that brings together high aesthetics, technology, sustainable development, economic viability, and social impact, contributing to research and innovation, academia, knowledge, and study. Access to the Planetarium is achieved through a transitional “threshold” and a route that passes between water features, planting, and light.

The composition of the project is based on Platonic solids such as the cube, the sphere, and the polyhedron. The design seeks to translate symbols into architectural choices: mystery, the unknown, and the universe are expressed through black, while white represents truth, purity, scientific thought, and the soul.

 

 

Functional Organization

The amphitheater building includes, on the ground floor, a restaurant, café, and sanitary facilities, while the upper level accommodates the amphitheater–observatory, ideal for outdoor music events and performances, as well as a state-of-the-art telescope and astronomical observatory.

The Planetarium building houses, on the ground floor, the planetarium hall with an 18-meter screen, 10 projectors, and 176 seats, a 360° VR room, a temporary exhibition space, a gift shop, and a café. The first floor contains the conference center, while the basement accommodates offices and an additional VR room.

 

 

Bioclimatic Design

Within the framework of sustainable construction, the project is environmentally friendly, bioclimatic, and technologically advanced. Materials, technologies, and techniques have been adopted to minimize environmental impact and to create a zero-energy building. A double ventilated façade system reduces the thermal mass of the walls, as natural ventilation is distributed through the two layers.

Optimal orientation was pursued to maximize beneficial solar heat gains, along with the careful design of openings to ensure ample natural daylight, views toward the planted exterior environment, and cross-ventilation of interior spaces. In the basement, both a light well for daylighting and an air shaft for natural ventilation were created. Water features were also integrated into the composition, contributing significantly to overall cooling.

The green roof, as part of the passive design strategy, improves thermal insulation and the microclimate. At the same time, the use of renewable energy sources – photovoltaic solar panels installed on the dome – ensures the building’s autonomous energy operation.

 

Sinuous structure

The winery is part of a family-run wine tourism development in Portugal’s Alto Douro Wine Region, a UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site. Together with a hotel still under construction, the winery blends into the landscape, combining tradition with innovation and sustainability.

 

Context Integration

Designed to minimize environmental impact, the project utilizes existing infrastructure while anticipating future adaptations. Its curvilinear architecture echoes the zigzag vineyards without compromising functionality. Locally sourced materials such as schist and granite reduce transport emissions, while wooden structures replace concrete where possible, limiting CO2 release. Over time, the pinkish greys, greens and browns take on new hues and textures, potentiating the building’s integration into the environment.

The configuration of the building is a set of interlocking naves that follow the existing topographic slopes, replicated on its internal mechanics, where the winemaking process takes place by gravity. The gravitational system is a traditional solution on the banks of the River Douro and this wine cellar showcases it with all its up to-date operational capabilities.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The geometry of the cellar’s roof interprets the vernacular gable roof structured in wood. This structure is exposed in the winery, and becomes a sinuous, continuous and organic sculptural element that flows through the tangential curves of the vineyards.

The winery’s main entrance houses a visitor center with a reception area and a wine shop that leads up to a meeting room with an all-glass wall and to the wine tasting area in a spacious balconied gallery, overlooking both the wine ageing area in the central nave of the building and the surrounding landscape. These rooms have access to the vineyard and a stone little old chapel, via a large terrace overlooking the Douro. Events that favor a prestigious wine tourism may be hosted to promote the winery and the region and celebrate both nature and architecture.

 

 

Sustainable Design & Vegetation

The development uses renewable energy sources, namely geothermal energy, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to provide ideal hydrothermal conditions for wine production and human comfort. Energy efficiency is fundamental to the winery’s design. The building’s northerly orientation and its specific insulation ensure optimum indoor temperatures and humidity levels, with limited mechanical climate control. The few windows and skylights frame the landscape and maximize the use of natural light.

Water conservation is also integral to the winery, which lacked public water supply infrastructure. Rainwater is harvested, drinking water sourced from artesian boreholes, and wastewater is treated and recycled for irrigation, cleaning, and fire prevention. Permeable pathways return rainwater to agricultural use, reducing waste and preserving resources.

The landscape design revives native flora, enriching biodiversity and supporting ecosystems that benefit vineyard health and promote economic activities that run parallel to the wine production.

 

Multilayered structure

The residential complex is comprised of eleven units organized around a system of nested spatial layers. At its core lies the “Void Core,” acting as a conduit for light and air. This central element is surrounded by the primary living “Space,” which is further wrapped by the “Buffer” – a zone formed by circulation corridors, staircases, and storage. Enclosing the system is the “Case,” the outer shell that defines and protects the living areas.

 

Context Integration

The site is located adjacent to a railway line within a densely built residential neighborhood. As a result, the design addresses the need for enhanced privacy and noise mitigation, while ensuring ample daylight and natural ventilation. In contrast to conventional rental housing – often characterized by repetitive, standardized layouts that overlook site-specific conditions – this project promotes spatial individuality, aesthetic diversity, and adaptability to context.

 

 

Functional Layout

The primary living areas, including the living, dining, and kitchen spaces as well as the bedrooms, are enveloped by the “Buffer.” This intermediate layer, composed of corridors, staircases, and storage zones, mediates between private interiors and external conditions. In select units, the living spaces extend outward, establishing subtle visual and spatial connections with the surrounding environment. Bathrooms are strategically positioned between adjacent units, forming an additional layer of acoustic and visual separation that enhances privacy.

At the center of the building, the “Void Core” channels light and airflow deep into the complex, improving environmental performance while shaping the overall massing. By dividing the project into two volumes, a lane-like passage is created within the site, allowing even centrally located units – typically prone to enclosure – to maintain a relationship with the outdoors. This volumetric articulation, together with canopies that define the ground and upper levels, mitigates the perceived scale of the complex and ensures a more harmonious integration with the surrounding low-rise context.

Staircase Design

Rather than functioning solely as circulation elements, the staircases are conceived as spatial devices that modulate external influences, contributing to improved acoustic, luminous, and thermal comfort. In the maisonette units occupying the third floor, the staircases extend beyond their conventional linear role. They expand at intermediate points to form annex-like spaces that complement the main living areas. When viewed from the exterior, this strategy generates a distinctive articulation of projecting walls, lending visual lightness and dynamism to the overall volume.

 

Concrete frame

An existing concrete structure forms the point of departure for the project. Such frames became a familiar presence in the Greek landscape following a regulation that allowed building permits to remain valid if only the structural skeleton was constructed. By the time the project began, this concrete frame had stood unfinished for more than a decade. Its reuse was a deliberate choice, directly addressing issues of sustainability, economy, and legislation – concerns that are particularly pressing in the context of overtourism in the Cycladic islands.

 

Reuse Strategy

The intervention was based on a strategy of subtraction and addition using elementary geometries. Only the necessary portions of the existing structure were carefully removed, while new L-shaped and rectangular volumes were introduced to establish formal and programmatic clarity. This measured approach produced a solution that both transcended the limitations imposed by the site’s past and navigated its complex regulatory framework.

The plot is characterized by its flat terrain and proximity to the port and village. Surrounded by neighboring developments on all sides except the western edge – which is expected to remain undeveloped due to its protected forestry status – the site lacks the extroverted qualities typical of a seaside plot. As a result, the house is conceived as a balance between introversion and openness.

 

 

Functional Layout

At ground level, volumes are arranged around a central pool to form an inner courtyard, mediating between privacy and openness toward anticipated or existing construction. This configuration moves away from a conventional sequence of enclosed rooms, proposing instead a communal mode of living in which water becomes the focal point of daily life.

On the upper floor, the living area and master suite are oriented toward both the active port and the island’s northern landscape. A large opening frames views of the port, allowing daily activity to remain visually present. An external staircase provides independent access to the upper level and the roof, where unobstructed views extend across the surroundings. With its restrained geometry, the house emerges quietly, maintaining a measured dialogue with its context.

 

 

Sustainable Design

Beyond standard strategies such as cross-ventilation and high-performance thermal insulation, a skylight positioned above the interior staircase transforms it into a passive cooling tower. Photovoltaic panels generate sufficient energy for autonomous operation, reducing reliance on the local grid. Native trees and vegetation, selected for their low water demand, help filter views toward neighboring hotel facilities, ensuring privacy while acknowledging the realities of building within an existing village fabric.

 

Rhythmic exchange

In an area of the city with a distinctly industrial character, near the Athens-Lamia National Road, an unfinished pre-existing structure was reconstructed with the aim of preserving its load-bearing system while simultaneously accommodating an expanded building program, including a larger surface area of office spaces.

 

Design Philosophy

A central condition for the design was the development of a new construction system that would not only adapt to the existing structure but also organize it, forming a unified architectural identity while responding to the bioclimatic requirements of a contemporary work environment. The new envelope, conceived as a thickened skin, either touches or stands slightly apart from the existing structure, thereby unifying enclosed spaces with outdoor areas, terraces, and balconies.

 

 

Spatial Organization

This envelope is fragmented into individual components that create, through a rhythmic alternation of solid and void, a system of shading and openings that moderates daylight and shading conditions within the interior. Alternating wall and window elements wrap around all levels of the building, bringing coherence to the previously independent and somewhat disparate volumes, and establishing a cohesive overall perception of the structure.

Sustainable Design

The architectural proposal, combining bioclimatic and functional upgrading with the redesign of the envelope and the reconfiguration of interior spaces, creates a comfortable and sustainable, human-centered environment. At the same time, it establishes a new, coherent, and recognizable identity that transforms the building into a point of reference within its urban context.

 

 

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.

 

Spatial richness

To open up to a place and move beyond the boundaries of the ordinary. To allow a home to be infused with the rare experience of coexisting with nature. To uncover the beauty of simplicity and feel the quiet strength of life itself.

 

Design Philosophy

This residence combines simplicity with spatial richness, creating distinctive experiences at every turn. Born from the harmony between architecture and its setting, the house is both open and sheltered, enveloped by a green mantle that protects its intimacy and fragility. Perched among the trees and following the contours of the terrain, it establishes a constant dialogue with nature. Open yet private, it allows its inhabitants to live fully immersed in the jungle landscape, attuned to the rhythm of light, air, and sound.

 

 

Context Integration & Layout

The sloping terrain presented both a challenge and a guiding principle in the design process. The form of the house responds to the complexity of the land, adapting to its contours and preserving existing tree roots so that the surrounding vegetation becomes part of the architecture itself. The living areas open completely to the landscape, allowing light, sound, and air to dissolve the boundaries between interior and exterior space.

Designed as both a permanent home and a seasonal retreat, the villa unfolds over two levels. The main living area above opens to sweeping ocean views, while the lower level, containing the bedrooms, remains discreetly embedded in the landscape. A network of terraces, a pool, and connecting stairs create a fluid circulation between spaces, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living.

 

 

Material Palette

The home’s earthy palette harmonizes with the surrounding greenery. Rammed earth, concrete, steel, glass, and cedar wood are combined to express both strength and natural balance. Finishes are left raw and authentic, embracing the passage of time as a means to deepen their texture and character.

 

Subterranean composition

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

 

Design Philosophy

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

 

 

Functional Layout

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

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

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

 

 

Landscape Design & Sustainability

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

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

 

Sustaining heritage

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

 

Design Philosophy

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

 

 

Spatial Organization

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

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

 

 

Material Palette

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

 

Urban cavern

Building upon post-pandemic public health concerns, the project redefines residential living by emphasizing spatial openness, air circulation, and natural light. The aim was to create a home that offers both protection and psychological relief, combining the solidity of a cavern with the warmth and tactility of natural materials. This approach reconsiders how urban apartments can balance seclusion and connectivity within dense city environments.

 

Design Philosophy

Situated in the dense urban context of Taipei, the apartment becomes a microcosm of retreat within the city. Natural light enters through filtered openings, while ventilation paths ensure fresh air circulation throughout the interior. The project embodies the notion of balance between protection and exposure, redefining how urban residences can nurture both physical and emotional well-being.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The residence is organized as a continuous flowing space where boundaries between rooms dissolve. Curved walls and interconnected volumes encourage natural movement and visual continuity. The central living area acts as the core, connecting secondary spaces such as the kitchen, dining area, and bedrooms. Through this fluid organization, the apartment achieves both privacy and openness without relying on rigid partitions.

Each functional zone was designed to respond to daily rituals while maintaining flexibility. The living area, dining, and kitchen form an interconnected communal zone, while private areas are subtly defined through level changes and lighting. Hidden storage systems and integrated furniture enhance efficiency without visual distraction. Underfloor heating and acoustic treatments improve comfort and environmental quality.

 

 

Material Palette

A restrained selection of materials defines the project’s sensory experience. Smooth plaster surfaces, terrazzo flooring, and curved joinery create a continuous tactile flow. Stone, timber, and bronze accents contrast with soft fabrics and diffused lighting. This material palette reinforces the idea of an ‘urban cavern’ – a sanctuary shaped by texture, reflection, and silence.

 

Eco-emotional living

The complex, covering a total area of 5,500m2, is the first residential building in Greece with an international BREEAM sustainability certification. It consists of 27 apartments with one, two, or three bedrooms, each one developed across one or two levels.

 

Design Philosophy

The building’s form is inspired by fundamental elements of nature, such as water, earth, and sky. Undulating surfaces on the facades create green spaces while simultaneously providing privacy to the residences. Y-shaped columns evoke tree trunks, emphasizing the building’s sustainable character.

 

 

Project Aim

Oxygen, after which the complex is named, represents the most essential element of nature, defining the quality of our lives. Similarly, the study aimed to apply architectural design that would offer holistic solutions in areas such as health and well-being, bioclimatic innovation through ecological materials and construction methods, and water and waste management.

 

 

Sustainable Design

Large window openings, private gardens on the ground floor, and spacious balconies with planters on upper levels enhance the quality of life and highlight the sustainable design, perceptible to residents not only through low energy consumption but also experientially. Features like awnings on the balconies, electric charging stations in each parking space, composting, and easy monitoring of home consumption through smart home systems and applications are some of the sustainability strategies encouraging residents to adopt a modern, ecological lifestyle.

 

Low profile

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

 

Design Philosophy

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

 

 

Spatial Organization

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

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

 

 

Material Palette & Sustainability

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

 

Calm minimalism

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

 

Renovation Strategy

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

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

 

 

Spatial Layout & Lighting

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

 

 

Materials & Custom Design

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

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

 

Ground movements

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

 

Design Philosophy

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

 

 

Spatial Organization

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

 

 

Material Palette

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

 

Spiral volume

The project was conceived as a contemporary office building that redefines the character of the Bonfim district. The project establishes a new urban presence while maintaining dialogue with the surrounding context, balancing modernity with continuity.

 

Spatial Organization

The building’s volumes are arranged to generate permeability and interaction with the city. A sequence of spaces, including internal courtyards and terraces, creates visual continuity and fosters a sense of community among occupants. Connections to public streets and open areas reinforce accessibility and integration with the urban fabric.

The layout accommodates flexible office spaces designed for adaptability to different user requirements. Ground-floor areas open toward the public realm, inviting interaction between the building and the city. Circulation cores are strategically positioned to optimize efficiency while maintaining clarity of orientation.

 

 

Material Palette & Sustainability

The façade combines stone and glass surfaces, ensuring durability and transparency. Natural light penetrates deep into interior spaces, reducing reliance on artificial illumination. Sustainability measures guided the selection of construction systems and finishes, integrating both performance and aesthetic goals. The project achieved BREEAM EXCELLENT certification for design and a VERY GOOD rating for construction, highlighting its environmental responsibility.

 

 

Context Integration

Situated in Porto’s Bonfim area, the project contributes to the regeneration of a historic district. The design enhances the urban landscape by creating a landmark that anchors the area while respecting its scale and character. The office building stands as a catalyst for contemporary workplace culture and sustainable urban growth.

 

Future vision

The tower’s design is a perfect example of modern architectural innovation, showcasing a harmonious blend of aesthetics, functionality, and environmental consciousness. This distinctive form is visually captivating and structurally impressive, representing a leap in engineering and design principles.

 

Design Morphology

The center of the structure is hollow, forming an open space that contrasts with the solid outer shell. This void enhances aesthetic appeal and allows for natural ventilation, reducing the building’s energy footprint. It also symbolizes openness to the sky, suggesting infinite possibilities and freedom.

The project embodies futuristic design inspired by water and wind, with a fluid and organic appearance. Its verticality conveys aspiration and progress, while its integration with greenery and water reflects a sustainable urban vision. It stands as both a landmark and a statement of harmony between modern architecture and the environment.

 

 

Functional Layout

The tower is surrounded by an urban landscape with trees, plants, and water features. The reflective water complements the smooth curves of the tower and doubles its visual impact. The integration of green spaces and water elements balances urban development with environmental sustainability, creating harmony between architecture and nature.

 

 

Material Palette

The outer shell is predominantly covered with reflective glass panels, giving the building a shiny appearance that mirrors its surroundings -cityscape, sky, and sunset. The reflective glass emphasizes natural light, sustainability, and energy efficiency. Steel structures and smooth, flowing lines align with futuristic design principles.

 

Ground geometry

Nestled in the sought-after area of Konia, Paphos, this contemporary residence exemplifies the seamless integration of luxury, comfort, and refined architectural design. Blending harmoniously with the natural landscape, the home is a statement of sustainable architecture, where elegance meets environmental consciousness.

 

Design Philosophy

Set on a uniquely shaped plot with challenging topography, the design concept centers around a sensitive response to the land’s geometry and contours. The structure aligns organically with the terrain, ensuring minimal disruption to the natural environment. Strategic orientation plays a pivotal role in the design, offering significant bioclimatic advantages: during the winter months, the home captures solar heat for natural warmth and energy efficiency, while in summer, horizontal shading elements effectively block direct sunlight, minimizing heat gain and maintaining a cool interior. This thoughtful approach not only elevates the building’s energy performance but also enhances its long-term sustainability- delivering an elevated living experience defined by comfort and understated luxury.

 

 

Spatial Organization

Upon entering the home, visitors are welcomed by a striking foyer that features a glass-enclosed wine cellar -an elegant focal point that immediately sets the tone. Adjacent to it, a bespoke staircase, meticulously crafted, doubles as a sculptural centerpiece that anchors the interior and reflects the home’s architectural identity. Ascending the staircase leads to the dining area, where the varying ceiling heights and a dramatic suspended light fixture create an atmosphere of spatial dynamism and sophistication. This area flows effortlessly into the living room and kitchen, forming an open-plan space bathed in natural light and framed by expansive glazing that captures panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

The kitchen and the custom-built feature wall -integrating a television and a bioethanol fireplace- were designed exclusively for the residence. Rich material contrasts, including wood-paneled ceilings in the living area and exposed concrete in the kitchen, contribute to a refined yet modern ambiance. One of the home’s most iconic elements is the suspended glass bridge that spans above the dining area, connecting the master suite with the additional bedrooms. This architectural gesture enhances visual continuity across levels, while offering dramatic views and a sense of openness. Each bedroom is a private retreat, featuring en-suite bathrooms equipped with modern amenities -combining functionality with an elevated sense of privacy and comfort.

 

 

Materials & Landscape Design

Defined by a minimalist yet warm design language, the residence employs a refined palette of wood, exposed concrete, glass, and steel. These materials are artfully combined to strike a balance between natural textures and contemporary form. Floor-to-ceiling openings blur the line between indoors and outdoors, inviting abundant natural light and uninterrupted views of the sea and the city of Paphos.

The exterior is anchored by a stunning infinity pool -serving as the focal point of the outdoor space and echoing the home’s architectural elegance. The landscape design complements the residence’s overall aesthetic, reinforcing the principles of modern architecture through simplicity, innovation, and grace.

 

Desert and city

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

 

Design Philosophy

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

 

 

Materials & Ventilation

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

 

 

Sustainability Approach

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

 

Sustainable design

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

 

Design Philosophy

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

 

 

Spatial Organization

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

 

 

Material Palette

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

 

Privacy matters

Situated on a plot commonly referred to in Portuguese as a terreno de gaveta -a narrow, elongated site nestled between neighboring buildings with limited street frontage- this residence occupies a 10 by 18-meter lot, totaling 180m2. Due to the compact size and proximity to adjacent structures, ensuring privacy from both the street and neighbors was a key challenge. The residence itself spans 184m2 of built area, with an additional 70m2 dedicated to the rooftop.

 

Design Philosophy

To address privacy concerns while capitalizing on the sweeping coastal views, the design inverts the conventional layout. Private spaces, including bedrooms and a home office, are located on the ground floor, oriented toward a central courtyard. In contrast, social areas are elevated to the upper floors, establishing both visual and functional separation from the public street.

At the heart of the home is the staircase, a central vertical element that connects all levels while enhancing visual permeability throughout. On the ground floor, it begins with a masonry volume clad in the same flooring used outside, featuring clay brick steps. As it ascends, the staircase transforms: vertical steel cables extend the full height, supporting floating steps anchored to the wall, creating a striking architectural feature.

 

 

Material Palette

The residence is constructed with a mix of concrete and steel, materials that recur throughout the design in details such as bathroom partitions and stair finishes. Drawing from modernist influences prominent in São Paulo architecture, the design emphasizes proportion, verticality, and a rhythmic composition of horizontal volumes. The exposed concrete ceilings are a highlight, meticulously crafted with formwork designed by the architects to achieve a refined texture. Every detail -from the placement of lighting fixtures to the integration of embedded systems- was carefully pre-planned. Curtain tracks, for example, were embedded in the concrete slab during the formwork stage.

Expansive aluminum and glass openings frame coastal views, flood the interior with natural light, and encourage cross-ventilation, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing the need for artificial lighting and cooling. This integration of indoor and outdoor elements is central to the architectural concept, dissolving the boundaries between the two. Exterior-grade materials were intentionally brought indoors, reinforcing this seamless transition and creating a cohesive living experience.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The upper-level social spaces extend outward through deep overhangs with integrated benches that double as guardrails, giving the living areas a sense of openness and continuity. The kitchen, designed as a social hub, centers around a large island that facilitates circulation and interaction during gatherings. Furnishings include existing family pieces and new elements in wood and rattan, contributing to a relaxed and understated ambiance. Storage solutions are discreetly built into the staircase zone, with custom panels that blend seamlessly into the architecture.

On the ground floor, the bedrooms are shielded with wooden panels that ensure complete blackout and privacy. These are complemented by an Accoya wood brise-soleil, whose acetylation treatment enhances moisture resistance and durability. A soft, neutral palette defines the bedroom interiors, creating a tranquil atmosphere. Bathrooms feature metal-framed doors with textured glass panels, adding both privacy and aesthetic depth. The office, extending from the main volume, benefits from continuous daylight via generous glass frames and a skylight that highlights the floor textures. Its cabinetry mirrors the surrounding finishes, with concealed panels that create a clean, uninterrupted surface. The central table, supported by a single leg and cantilevered at the base, adds to the room’s light, minimal character.

 

 

Sustainable Design

Designed with local climate conditions in mind, the residence is protected from the strong northern winds common in Northern Portugal. This allows the interior to remain open and airy, even on blustery days. The rooftop terrace features a built-in pool that is sheltered from the wind and opens onto a secluded green area bordering the beach. Strategic ventilation openings- one on the rooftop and another at ground level -facilitate rapid cross-ventilation, reducing the need for mechanical cooling. During the colder months, underfloor heating throughout most rooms ensures warmth and energy efficiency.

 

Architectural flexibility

In a 100m2 area that previously accommodated three separate professional offices, a state-of-the-art physiotherapy center has been created. The unification of these independent units into a single, cohesive high-tech space was an ambitious architectural endeavor -one that seamlessly combines functionality, openness, and a calming therapeutic atmosphere.

 

Design Philosophy

Developed in close collaboration with the therapist-owner, the design aimed to establish a versatile, multi-purpose facility capable of supporting a wide range of therapeutic practices and addressing the complex needs of patients. The layout includes a welcoming reception area, four treatment rooms, a specialized rehabilitation gym, and the therapist’s private office. Each space is tailored to host a distinct therapy modality -ranging from electrotherapy and hydrotherapy to counseling and targeted strength training.

 

 

Spatial Organization & Materials

Accessibility was a top priority, with wide walkways exceeding 1.5m, gently sloped entrances, and an elevator ensuring smooth movement for individuals with mobility challenges. The main treatment area features modular workstations with movable beds and equipment stored in smart, built-in cabinets -allowing for quick adaptation to different therapeutic setups. Private rooms are equipped with sound-insulating panels, offering the privacy and quiet needed for more focused, introspective therapies.

The rehabilitation gym includes specialized equipment such as balance training machines and full-length mirrors that allow patients to monitor their posture and movement. Flooring throughout is made from elastic, closed-cell materials that are both non-slip and antimicrobial. Work surfaces are crafted from antibacterial-coated quartz for easy disinfection and hygiene control. Automated treatment beds with adjustable height and tilt enhance comfort and adaptability during sessions.

 

 

Sustainability & Lighting Design

A network of integrated temperature and humidity sensors maintains an optimal microclimate across all areas. Each room benefits from natural light and ventilation, adhering to standards required for primary-use spaces. The interior design embraces a minimalist aesthetic with a dominant white palette, fostering tranquility and clarity. Individual spaces feature curated color accents, chosen for their ability to offer psychological relief and emotional comfort.

Lighting is discreet and thoughtfully placed: LED strips under cabinets provide ambient illumination, while adjustable lamps above treatment beds allow for focused lighting when needed. All construction materials were selected with sustainability and health in mind, including FSC-certified woods and VOC-free paints.

This facility is more than a physiotherapy clinic -it is a holistic wellness ecosystem. Through architectural adaptability, technological innovation, and meticulous attention to detail, it offers a restorative environment for both patients and practitioners.

“Architecture can be as healing as the therapies themselves.”

 

 

Corporate Identity Design: we are two

Volumes and textures

This 534.32 m² residence, set on a 591.50 m² plot within the Quinta do Golfe Reserva Condominium, establishes a new benchmark in local residential architecture. The design emphasizes a modular structural system with 5-meter spans that integrate seamlessly with the masonry. Architectural highlights include cantilevered corners on both the front and rear façades, lending a sense of lightness to the overall volume, and a double-height ceiling in the living room, where a sculptural staircase elegantly connects the home’s levels.

 

Exterior Shell

The exterior composition expresses a dialogue between volumes and textures. The ground floor, rendered in darker tones, conveys a grounded presence, while the upper level features lighter lines and pale colors, contributing to a refined contrast. A basalt-clad volume on the left side complements a slatted wood panel across the front façade, which cleverly conceals the doors and windows of the laundry and storage areas. Brazilian travertine takes center stage in the finishes, extending from the garage and ground floor through to the pool area. Used with a polished finish indoors and a textured one outdoors, the travertine adds warmth and dynamism while ensuring visual cohesion throughout the project.

 

 

Functional Layout & Materials

The interior design is defined by refined simplicity, with carefully curated textures and signature furniture pieces accentuating each space. In the living room, an organic-shaped sofa introduces asymmetry and visual softness, paired with iconic pieces such as Jean Gillon’s Jangada armchair, the Barcelona, Charles Eames, Costela, and Bertoia chairs.

The dining room features an ebonized wood table with a thin edge, offering a sense of lightness that contrasts with its black surface. This is paired with Wishbone chairs made of natural fiber, enhancing the room’s tactile richness. In the gourmet veranda, a rustic basalt portico frames a barbecue and sink with stainless steel finishes. Adjacent to this, the outdoor lounge area emphasizes warm tones and natural materials. The pool area, also clad in Brazilian travertine, features a raised edge that serves both as seating and a discreet visual barrier, ensuring privacy from the golf course while preserving the panoramic view.

 

 

Sustainable Design

Sustainability is integral to the project, which incorporates solar energy systems for water heating and electricity generation. The modular structural system, complete with internal tie rods that support the cantilevered sections, reflects a commitment to technical innovation and constructive efficiency. Tropical-style landscaping, characterized by abundant foliage and rich textures, harmonizes with the surrounding natural environment. This approach fosters a seamless connection between the built space and the landscape, reinforcing the fluid dialogue between architecture and nature.

 

Carving out solids

Located on a small corner plot in Villa Urquiza, Buenos Aires, this single-family home is designed as an urban residence that actively engages with its immediate surroundings. Its architectural form defines the plot without fully occupying the buildable volume, reflecting a clear intent to preserve and enhance the adjacent urban voids.

 

Design Philosophy

The residence features a clean and contemporary volume, shaped by carefully positioned openings and well-considered wall configurations. The use of honest materials and crisp lines evokes a sense of simplicity, order, and serenity. Functionally, the home is organized around a large central patio and several terraces. These outdoor extensions serve as catalysts for daily life, fostering constant interaction between interior and exterior spaces.

Stereotomy is the primary architectural concept. Specifically, the house is conceived as a solid mass that has been carved out to create living spaces. Brick and concrete walls are selectively perforated to admit light and air, producing a dynamic interplay of solid and void that enriches the spatial experience. Finally, the proportions of the spaces are carefully calibrated to maintain a human scale and to harmonize with the surrounding neighborhood. The house not only serves its occupants but also contributes positively to the urban landscape, respecting and enhancing the character of the area.

 

 

Functional Organization

On the ground floor, directly connected to the street, a barbecue area provides a space for social and recreational activities. This level also includes a wine cellar -adding sophistication and utility- as well as a workshop/studio and the entrance hall, all of which open onto the patio. For privacy, the street-facing facade is shielded with a filter of micro-perforated aluminum sheet.

The first floor is the main living level, where daily activities take place. A generous living area opens onto a terrace with expansive views of the corner, visually enlarging the interior space. All rooms on this level are oriented toward the central patio, maintaining strong visual and spatial continuity. The second floor contains the bedrooms and a small studio, while the top floor houses the technical and service areas, including a green terrace and a pool -elements dedicated to recreation and leisure.

 

 

Materials & Sustainability

Vertical circulation is provided by a wooden and metal staircase overlooking the patio, which acts as the home’s dynamic center. This central patio not only organizes the internal layout but also allows abundant natural light and cross-ventilation, ensuring a bright, comfortable, and healthy environment. Additionally, sustainable design principles are integral to the project. The use of local and recyclable materials, along with a rainwater harvesting system, reduces environmental impact. The green terrace supports thermal regulation and improves air quality.

The material palette is deliberately minimal, composed of simple construction elements that come together in an elegant and subtle morphological synthesis. The result is an introspective dwelling, defined by carefully placed voids that connect with surrounding emptiness, creating a peaceful and highly functional refuge within the urban fabric.

 

Urban upgrade

Along the axis that, from antiquity to the present day, connects the port of Piraeus with the center of Athens, Pireos Street, a concrete building of approximately 10,000 m² has been constructed, accommodating a fashion company alongside office functions.

 

Design Philosophy

The design of the building seeks to address two critical issues of the contemporary city: the maximization of greenery in relation to the built environment and the optimization of its environmental performance. The architectural composition is articulated through the coexistence of two distinct volumes: a single-storey retail space of 1,300 m² and a five-storey office building in an L-shaped configuration that encloses it, forming a clear boundary towards the adjacent structures and Pireos Street.

The roof of the ground-level volume is transformed into an intensively planted green roof, functioning as an elevated urban garden for both employees and the city. In this way, the project introduces a new topography, where greenery extends vertically, redefining the user’s relationship with the environment.

 

 

Spatial Organization

Employees benefit from a direct visual and functional connection to the garden, ensuring privacy and distancing from the noise of the busy urban artery. At the same time, ramps leading to the planted roof, in combination with the geometry of the curved volume, establish a spatial continuity that connects the ground level with a higher, publicly accessible plane.

The façades is differentiated according to orientation through shading systems such as louvers and stainless-steel mesh, regulating solar exposure and reducing thermal loads without compromising outward views. Each surface is conceived as an active filter mediating between interior and exterior conditions.

 

 

Sustainability & Technology

The green roof is maintained year-round through an automated irrigation system that utilizes rainwater collection and reuse tanks. The storage of significant water volumes supports the survival of the vegetation even during the summer months.

In parallel, the use of air-to-ground heat exchangers – large underground ducts – allows the introduction of naturally tempered air, contributing to the building’s microclimatic performance. A Building Management System (BMS) controls lighting, ventilation, and air conditioning, as well as window operation and internal shading, ensuring optimal indoor comfort while achieving substantial energy savings.

The project embodies a holistic approach to sustainable design, where architecture, technology, and landscape converge into a cohesive system that redefines the contemporary workplace.

 

Distinct levels

The proposal focuses on the aesthetic and functional enhancement of an existing building, transforming it into modern offices and showrooms for an international fashion company. As part of a broader strategic development plan, the project seamlessly integrates architectural innovation with bioclimatic principles, creating a striking and sustainable design.

 

Design Philosophy

The primary design objective was to create a flexible workplace that fosters employee well-being. To accommodate the project’s new functional requirements, enclosed spaces were added to the existing structure, either as horizontal extensions or vertical additions.

The new building mass follows an ‘aggregated’ approach, integrating seamlessly with the existing architectural composition. This strategy not only completes the original structure but also introduces a fresh typology, where each floor is distinct and independent, either recessed or projecting. This new typology shifts the scale of the building towards an ‘office neighborhood’ rather than a conventional office complex. Open spaces on the upper levels reinforce this concept, with the central atrium playing a more prominent role in enhancing connectivity and spatial fluidity.

 

 

Functional Layout

The atrium spans the second and third floors, serving as the focal point of a spatial sequence that extends from the interior of the second floor to the planted area of the third floor and the rooftop. At its highest point, the roof offers unobstructed views of Parnitha. This design ensures visual continuity between levels, acting as a transition point from enclosed to open spaces and fostering social interaction, collaboration, and a connection to nature within an area characterized by its strong industrial identity.

The central entrance is positioned along a diagonal axis, seamlessly extending into the floor above. Inside, strategic notches in the slabs create double-height zones between the showrooms, enhancing visual connectivity between floors and reinforcing the perception of a unified, expansive space. The communal areas feature continuous marble flooring and wood-paneled ceilings, adding a sense of elegance and cohesion to the interior.

 

 

Sustainable Approach

Beneath the planted roof, an internal loft has been designed to house office spaces. The building features a rooftop garden, spacious terraces, landscaped ground-level gardens, bicycle facilities, and ample parking. Distinguished by its high energy efficiency and bioclimatic design, the project reflects the company’s commitment to sustainable development. With LEED GOLD certification, it incorporates advanced pollutant management strategies, supports electric vehicle charging, and minimizes light pollution, contributing to environmental preservation.

 

 

Morphological enhancement

The project involves refurbishing an existing building and transforming it into an office space, with the primary design focus on creating a modern, sustainable complex that has a minimal ecological footprint.

 

Design Philosophy

Internally, the spaces were reconfigured to meet the needs of the new occupants, with modern living conditions ensured through the installation of heating and cooling systems, as well as heat pumps, which provide optimal comfort with minimal energy consumption. Special attention was given to the lighting design, both inside and outside the building. Externally, the structure features post-modernist morphological elements commonly seen in buildings along the main thoroughfares of the capital, such as rectangular moldings and expansive glass surfaces. The top floor features curved openings and balconies along with a projecting solid roof, and was designed to give the building a distinctive presence. However, these elements did not integrate harmoniously into the urban fabric.

 

 

Sustainable Design

The glazing and masonry that defined the facades were deemed inadequate in providing adequate thermal and visual comfort inside. The design prioritized reconfiguring the building’s external envelope to ensure optimal living conditions for the occupants. To achieve this, external thermal insulation was added, and the existing windows were replaced with new, thermally insulated ones, featuring A+ energy classification and high sound insulation glazing. Additionally, a series of perforated white panels was installed 80 cm from the existing facade, reinterpreting the overall geometry of the building.

 

 

Exterior Shell

The new “shell” establishes a modern identity for the building, serving a crucial function as a sunshade that does not obstruct the view, while also providing sound insulation. A lightweight metal structure was added to the roof, visually altering its height and creating an interesting counterbalance, forming a harmonious “crown” atop the solid building volume. The surrounding microclimate was enhanced through thoughtful landscaping and the use of panels designed to reduce glare -a common issue for buildings with large glass surfaces in sun-drenched countries like Greece.

 

Diagonal markings

The office space, spanning 1,100 m², is located on the 7th floor of a newly built landmark on Syngrou Avenue. The narrow and elongated floor plan, combined with the intricately shaped main façade, served as the foundation for the architectural design. This layout accommodates closed offices, meeting rooms, and an open, free-flow zone, all tailored to meet the needs of over 100 employees, creating a modern and functional work environment.

 

Design Philosophy

From the early stages of the design, the goal was to break away from the uniformity and standardization often found in workplaces, while ensuring a comfortable environment through visual and acoustic comfort, privacy, and the use of natural light. To achieve this, the layout was designed perpendicular to the sloping main façade, tilting the floor plan to avoid non-functional areas within the enclosed offices and create an engaging complexity in the open space.

This diagonal layout formed the primary compositional axis, around which the administration area, with its large conference room, was positioned on one side, while the other side housed office rooms, two smaller meeting rooms, and the open space. The new axis is also reflected in the ceiling design and lighting, where the closed sections integrate with exposed electrical installations, designed as part of the overall composition. A hanging rail, which also follows the axis, is distinguished by its color and functions as the general lighting system.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The conference rooms, centrally located within the floor plan and adjacent to the reception area, are designed as transparent volumes that allow ample natural light. These rooms can be enclosed with electrically operated sound-absorbing curtains, ensuring both acoustic comfort and privacy. The administration offices are positioned in the most visually isolated section of the floor plan, while the other enclosed offices are placed along the perimeter facades, functioning as free-standing “boxes within a box.” This layout promotes the diffusion of workstations across the offices, creating “individual spatial experiences within the larger space.”

 

 

Materials & Sustainability

The interior architectural design encompassed the complete layout of both open and closed offices, coordination of other studies such as electrical, mechanical, and lighting, as well as the full design of the fixed furniture and selection of movable equipment. In alignment with the company’s philosophy and the LEED standard, the majority of materials used are certified recycled products that are fully recyclable, minimizing the energy footprint and setting a new design direction focused on sustainability.

 

Uninterrupted movement

The logistics center is situated on a 27,000-square-meter plot, strategically positioned near the National Highway, Attiki Odos, and the center of Athens. Its location ensures the seamless and efficient transportation of shipments via the port of Piraeus, Athens International Airport, and the national road network. The building’s external form is directly shaped by its function, allowing the various uses and transitions within the building to be clearly “read” from the outside.

 

Functional Layout

The urban planning parameters of the area allowed for the development of a ground-level sorting hub with a minimum area of 10,000 m². This space was designed to offer maximum flexibility for loading and unloading -a core operational requirement for the company- as well as a large underground parking facility. All primary operations have been consolidated into a single building.

With a total built area of 33,000 m², the facility is organized across three levels. The basement houses a spacious parking area with a capacity for 242 vehicles and infrastructure for electric vehicle charging, functioning as a fully integrated extension of the ground floor, where the main sorting center is located. Adjacent to the main entrance is the customer service area, where the company’s new corporate identity for its retail network was implemented for the first time. On the upper level, the building hosts administrative and staff offices, meeting and presentation rooms with a capacity of 250 people, as well as dining facilities for employees.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The project’s primary objective was to create a modern and highly functional sorting hub capable of meeting the company’s growing needs. The uninterrupted and efficient flow of goods within the facility was paramount, especially given the presence of large-scale sorting machinery and the high number of loading and unloading docks along the building’s perimeter. These requirements became the core around which the design process was structured. The facility follows a clear rectangular footprint of 120mx 82m. Within this framework, a system of conveyor belts distributes shipments to and from the perimeter docks. The innovative steel structural system enables reduced column dimensions, allowing for larger open spans, which enhance the building’s flexibility and operational efficiency.

 

 

Sustainability Approach & Lighting

Energy efficiency and environmental performance were key design drivers, resulting in a Net-Zero Energy Building certified in the A+ category. Photovoltaic panels with a capacity of 1MW have been installed on the building’s roof, significantly offsetting the annual electricity consumption. The building also allows for independent operation of each functional unit, optimizing energy consumption based on usage patterns. All machinery and equipment were selected based on their energy efficiency and performance.

Natural daylighting is maximized through the use of light tubes in all office areas and selected common spaces. High-efficiency LED lighting, controlled by occupancy and motion sensors, provides artificial illumination in common areas and the parking garage. In addition, a comprehensive monitoring system was installed to oversee critical energy consumption points, allowing for continuous optimization of the building’s energy performance.

During the construction phase, significant archaeological findings were uncovered. Two major artifacts have been preserved and are now on display within the basement, while, in collaboration with the archaeological service, additional methods are being explored to showcase smaller ceramic findings discovered on-site.

 

Contextual negotiation

The Boulder Public Library issued an open Request for Proposal in 2018 for a new branch library in North Boulder, a project the community had anticipated for over two decades. The proposed vision was to create a library whose iconic status would stem from its sustainability and its positive impact on the community and environment.

 

Context Integration

The North Boulder Library is situated within a diverse neighborhood that blends new developments for young professionals, art studios, galleries, and two manufactured home communities that include Boulder’s largest Spanish-speaking population. The chosen site is a triangular plot bordered by Broadway to the west and Three Mile Creek to the south, with stunning views to the Boulder Flatirons.

Boulder’s unique geographical position at the intersection of the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains has historically shaped its rugged architectural vernacular. Consequently, the design celebrates this context, acknowledging the area’s complex relationship with the natural environment. Through its connections with the urban surroundings, the library not only reflects its environment but also enhances its visual and functional relationship with the local community.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The design of the North Boulder Library was directly informed by the community’s input, leading to the inclusion of key programs such as Boulder Reads, which supports literacy development for children and adults, and a “Maker Kitchen,” which evolved from the community’s desire for a maker space together with ideas for a community garden and kitchen area.

The building negotiates the triangular site that includes a seasonal creek running diagonally through it with a building that respects the scale of its residential neighbors to the north while opening up to views of the Flatiron Mountains and Rocky Mountain foothills to the south and west. The library is designed with the major community spaces on the second floor. The lower northern side integrates a shallow, fully- accessible ramp that allows these second-floor community and ESL classrooms to open at night when the library is closed, reinforcing the library’s role as a community hub. The building’s design is both intriguing and unexpected. Its irregular geometry, a convergence of triangular forms, mirrors and influences the internal layout. This interplay of shapes creates a series of surprising spatial experiences.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The main public floor is divided into a large reading room for adult patrons and a children’s area with a private nook for story-reading and windows on to a slide that can be accessed through a rope climbing structure, allowing kids to climb up through the building and slide down into the library’s new playground. Other key areas on the ground floor include the Maker Kitchen, which connects to an edible garden and playground, and large windows that offer breathtaking views of the mountains. The interior design incorporates custom elements like a wallpaper by graphic designer Andrew Freeman, principal at afreeman, featuring historical photos from Boulder’s archives, celebrating the region’s indigenous heritage. The building’s exposed ceiling structure adds to the space’s acoustic performance and aesthetic richness.

 

 

Sustainability Approach

Sustainability is a central focus of the project, with initial plans aiming for net-zero energy. Although some features were scaled back due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic challenges, Boulder’s stringent sustainability regulations ensured that the library maintained its high green building standards. A rooftop solar array supplies a significant portion of the building’s energy, while the site includes a rainwater garden planted with native, butterfly-attracting flowers and shrubs to protect the seasonal creek from runoff.

 

Reflections of the past

The project showcases a private residence in Amsterdam that maximizes its available floor space. Located in the vibrant De Pijp district, the building’s upper floor was previously an attic, unsuitable for habitation.

 

Existing Shell

In order to transform this space into a livable area, the previous owner raised the roof by approximately fifty centimeters before selling it as a renovation project to the current owner. The roof elevation was achieved by constructing a ring of rough masonry around the original structure and laying largely renewed roof beams on top. This approach -creating a new level on top of an old foundation- became the guiding principle of the design. The space is deliberately “cut through” at a height of 95cm above the floor, establishing a clear visual and material distinction. Above this cross-section, everything is new, featuring smooth, insulated, and rendered walls. Below the line, the original elements are left exposed, preserving their raw, unfinished aesthetic.

 

 

Material Palette & Functional Layout

The material interplay, such as dark mirrors, rough bricks, and unfinished zinc sheets, creates a striking composition. The zinc panels reflect ample light but with a soft, blurred effect, while the dark mirrors offer sharp reflections with less luminosity. This duality presents the upper section as a reimagined space and the lower section as a reflection of its past.

Upon entering the apartment, visitors step into a fully black-painted hall. The original staircase remains raw and unfinished, while a custom perforated zinc staircase hangs 95 centimeters above the floor, leading to the roof terrace. Light from the roof hatch filters through the perforations, illuminating the dark entrance below.  At the top of the stairs, the living room draws the eye outward through a floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door, spanning the entire width of the building. The concealed framing within the walls, floor, and ceiling creates an almost frameless glass facade, replacing the previously small windows.

To enhance the perception of space, the design introduces a single defining volume within the apartment. While the living area and master bedroom remain open, all other functional spaces -including bathrooms, a guest room, a laundry area, and toilets- are concealed within a reflective, monolithic block. A pivot door, finished in the same materials, allows seamless access. One section of the mirrored cladding is actually reflective glass, offering a semi-transparent view from the living room into the bathroom. A skylight above the shower creates the unique experience of bathing beneath an open sky, flooding the space with natural light.

 

 

Sustainability Approach

The fully retractable glass facade on the southern side of the apartment provides passive heating. The 17cm floor insulation, insulated walls, and externally insulated roof maintain a stable indoor climate. A single, large net curtain can cover the entire rear facade, hanging from curved rails that allow it to be drawn without obstructing sunlight. Furthermore, an electric roof hatch above the entrance can be opened on hot days, aiding airflow. The perforated zinc staircase beneath the hatch reflects sunlight, while the ability to release warm air at the highest point of the space creates natural ventilation. This concept, inspired by tropical architecture, ensures the residence stays cool in summer while superior insulation minimizes heat loss in winter. Consequently, the apartment’s gas consumption for heating is just one-fifth that of a conventional apartment.

 

Urban catalyst

In 2019, the Dimnikcobau company organized an international competition to design the DCB business centre in the Moste industrial zone of Ljubljana. The project transcends the building’s functional character as an office space turning it into an urban catalyst, adding value to this suburban area which is historically linked to generic spaces for business and logistics.

 

Design Philosophy

The compact space of the new building, with the ground floor shaped like a rhomboid and 10 floors above ground level, is taller than neighboring buildings and dominates the landscape of the area. The diagonal displacement of the ground floor allows access to the central foyer consisting of a large atrium with a fluid shape and which goes up vertically to end in a skylight overhead. The atrium opens up to the exterior through two large windows that are the height of three levels, and which add a sculptural character to the space, allowing it to be bathed in natural light from two sides, as well as allowing views of the city’s outline and the mountainous Alpine scenery from its terraces.

The building has a ground level surface area of 12,556 m2 and 8,114 m2 below ground, occupied by three parking levels. The public area is located on the ground floor: a restaurant, a café, various meeting rooms, and a multifunctional gallery that can be used to host different events. The remaining nine levels are occupied with offices and common spaces. The central atrium coordinates the flow of people and maximizes the interaction between the different programs. Each level has four office modules that can be configured, combined or extended according to the requirements of the tenants.

 

 

Interior Layout and Façade

Both the covering of the interior and exterior facade seeks to dematerialize the volume mass by giving it a certain fragility and elegance. The exterior dark glass facade is covered with white brisesoleils sloping at different angles and placed at different progressions. While within the interior, the vertical foyer shaped around the atrium is covered with “L” and “Y” gilded anodized aluminum profiles whose tones change depending on the sun’s movements. The delicate treatment of the space and the surfaces, as well as the sensitive way that the detailing has been handled, have resulted in a building possessing high spatial richness at different scales.

 

 

Bioclimatic strategy

The central atrium, which crosses the building vertically, not only functions as a spatial axis, but also as a key element of its ventilation system. This space acts as a return duct for ventilation of the offices, extracting used air and pushing it upwards like a chimney. At the top of the atrium, an advanced climatic control system recovers the energy and humidity in the air before redistributing fresh air throughout the offices. The air conditioning system for the offices combines underfloor heating and cooling with low level individual fan coil units, which allows for accurate temperature control and guarantees maximum comfort for all users.

 

Historical revival

Nestled on a natural cove, minutes away from the Athens center, on what is referred to as the Athenian Riviera, the project stretches over a 21-hectare unspoiled lush reserve and 2.2 kilometers of pristine beach.

 

Existing Condition

The resort bears the legacy of the “Asteria” historical complex, originally conceived in the 1950s as an organized bathing and tourist destination, part of a greater scheme of rebranding Greece from the Bank of Greece and the National Tourism Organization. Three modernist architects, Vourekas, Dekavalas and Georgiadis, were appointed to design the elegant beachfront facilities, cabanas and bungalows that successfully attracted local and international jet set.

After years of neglect, a revitalization project sought to transform the site into a contemporary world-class destination, aiming to honor the essence of the coastal landmark while redefining its charm with contemporary terms. This project carries great responsibility, not only due to the natural beauty of its location but also because of the historical significance of its architectural heritage. It honors and enhances the harmony between the built and natural landscapes, seamlessly adapting to modern needs while preserving the charm and prestige befitting a venue of this caliber.

 

 

Design Philosophy

Embracing the same architectural language of honesty and raw beauty as its modernist predecessors, the residences and communal areas follow the footprint of the original structures. They repurpose the very same local stone, assembling it into linear walls that complement the restored lightweight timber elements. The material palette also includes locally sourced Greek marble, celebrating the traditional materials and techniques that have defined the site since its inception. Enhancing the experience of this privileged location, the resort offers outdoor sports activities, a wellness center, and versatile event venues alongside its residences.

At the heart of the resort stands its striking entry point -a two-story structure that diverges from conventional rectangular forms, instead embracing the fluid, curvilinear lines characteristic of 1960s modernist architecture. Situated within a gently sloping Mediterranean garden, its organic form, geometric claustra elements, and masterful interplay of light and shadow create an atmosphere that is both intimate and open, in harmony with the modest scale of the surrounding structures. Crafted from contemporary materials such as marble, polished wood, and repurposed stone, the building pays homage to the golden era of the Athenian Riviera while reinterpreting it for the present. Its design fosters a strong connection to the sea, with expansive windows and a curved staircase guiding guests seamlessly from the entrance to the coastline.

 

 

Functional Organization

The Agora building serves as the social heart of the resort, seamlessly integrating with the complex’s unified architectural language. Its carefully curated materials and spatial gestures, both on the facade and the interior, create a harmonious composition. Featuring an open-plan design and direct access to a sprawling courtyard, the Agora offers exceptional versatility for any event. Its true highlight, however, is a feature exclusive to its premises -a terrace that provides unparalleled panoramic views of the entire complex. From this elevated vantage point, the resort’s meticulous design unfolds like a breathtaking tableau, enriching any gathering with its refined aesthetic.

By the pool, Thimisi features an airy, organic canopy that pays homage to the iconic “mushroom-type” pavilions favored by modernist architects of the 1950s and 1960s. Nearby, Minima Bar embraces a structured, grid-like design that echoes the precise, orderly influence of modernism. The Spa and Wellness Center repurposes the shell of a former warehouse, seamlessly aligning with the resort’s philosophy by blending enclosed spaces with the natural surroundings. Its design extends amenities into functional patios, while the internal courtyard is elevated into a central feature -a serene focal point that embodies the essence of the complex.

 

 

Low Density Structures & Sustainability

The thoughtfully arranged bungalows integrate harmoniously into the landscape, maintaining a low-density footprint that allows nature to take center stage. Discreetly nestled within their surroundings, they offer guests an unexpected sense of freedom and an exceptional level of privacy. These low-rise structures seamlessly blend with the coastal environment, featuring sliding glass doors, expansive outdoor areas, and extended stone walls that create fluid transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces. Canopies and shaded terraces further enhance the connection to nature, forming serene in-between havens.

Embodying the essence of Mediterranean living, the bungalows draw inspiration from 1960s Athenian Modernism, with timber load-bearing structures, airy canopies, and repurposed stone walls. Set amid lush gardens, these seafront residences capture the vibrancy of the Greek summer lifestyle. Private pools, sun loungers, outdoor showers, and fireplaces cultivate intimate spaces for relaxation, while the use of locally sourced materials, including exquisite Tinos marble, reinforces a sense of sustainable luxury. Designed with a south-facing orientation, the bungalows maximize natural sunlight, creating a warm and inviting ambiance throughout the day.

Open spaces and structures coexist effortlessly, responding creatively to contemporary needs for minimal environmental impact and responsible construction. The material palette features native timbers and locally quarried marble in soft shades of pearly white and sand, accented by blue and white hues, olive wood, and handcrafted Greek linens, all contributing to an atmosphere of refined, eco-conscious elegance.

 

 

Interior Design: Muza Lab

Landscape Design: Greenways

Masterplan & Planning Consultant: Aspa Kst

Expressive materiality

A contemporary refuge at the foothills of Serra do Japi, in the countryside of São Paulo state, serves as the setting for an architectural project that revives ancient construction techniques.

 

Construction Strategy

The residence seamlessly integrates architecture with nature through its thoughtful use of materials and bioclimatic design. The project employs rammed earth -a technique introduced to Brazil by the Portuguese during the colonial period- where earth is compacted within a wooden formwork known as taipal using a tool called pilão. This technique, combined with exposed concrete and a lush rooftop garden, creates a robust and expressive materiality that harmonizes with the landscape while ensuring optimal environmental performance.

 

 

Spatial Layout & Materiality

The residence organically adapts to its radial plot through a curvilinear rammed earth wall, emphasizing materiality as a defining architectural element. This wall also enhances privacy, shielding the home from the street and neighboring properties. The layout follows a binuclear organization, centered around a main access point that leads to fluid, interconnected spaces opening onto a spacious garden and a pool at the rear. The striking horizontality of the structure is punctuated by a vertical tower, which houses bathrooms, water reservoirs, and technical equipment, adding a distinctive feature to the overall volumetric composition.

 

 

Sustainable Approach

Bioclimatic strategies are integrated throughout the design: an internal courtyard facilitates cross ventilation and natural lighting, while deep eaves and verandas protect the interiors from direct sunlight. The accessible rooftop doubles as an elevated garden, enhancing thermal insulation and providing a sustainable base for solar panels, maximizing energy efficiency. The project exemplifies architecture as both a comfortable retreat and an extension of its natural surroundings.

 

Communal living

More than just a housing project, Rubicon offers a vision for the future of high-density, low-rise living, by interweaving cycling, home-working, community spaces and landscapes. The project reimagines how people can live, work and connect with one another as a community of shared interests.

 

Project Aim

Rubicon introduces a new typology rooted in cycle-centred mobility, serving as a welcoming gateway and defining the urban edge of the 150-hectare Eddington master plan in northwest Cambridge. This net zero development, designed for the University of Cambridge and The Hill Group, redefines community living by merging warehouse loft-typologies with the collegiate court. Incorporating co-working spaces, sunlit courtyards and cycle-friendly apartments, the scheme acts as the urban threshold to the wetlands beyond.

The project sets the standard in sustainable living, using innovative, seamlessly integrated methods to minimize environmental impact. Key features include a development-wide rainwater harvesting system and underground waste management.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The development offers 186 homes over 0.74 hectares, 35% of which are dedicated to university and key-worker housing, in five tessellating S- and L-shaped buildings. Their distinctive architectural language, featuring glazed bricks, curved corners and undulating roofs, conveys permanence and versatility. Between the buildings, urban-facing courtyards connect with ones that look out over the landscape to ‘stitch’ these two contexts together. Drawing upon 19th century warehouse and mill typologies traditionally found bordering rural settings, Rubicon evokes a sense of historical continuity with its location, clearly defining the urban edge.

The ground floor is a catalyst for community, with semi-public co-working foyers in each block encouraging spontaneous exchanges among residents, including academics, professionals, university workers, students and retirees. These robust ‘third spaces’ create hubs of activity where residents host regular social gatherings.

 

 

Material Palette & Sustainability

A sculptural roofline that rises and falls softly unites the separate forms, echoing the Cambridgeshire landscape. The western edge of the site features a courtyard block inspired by Cambridge’s famed colleges. The glazed brick material palette of shimmering hues, from tranquil green and yellow to light blue, azure and silvery grey, gives each façade a unique identity. Deeply recessed south-facing balconies provide solar shading while offering unobstructed views.

Rubicon sets a new UK benchmark in residential sustainability as a zero-carbon operational energy development, achieving Code for Sustainable Homes (CfSH) Level 5, with 82% of the building’s operational energy generated on-site. A ‘fabric-first’ approach emphasizes low U-values and air permeability, complemented by a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) District Heating System and efficient Mechanical Heat Recovery Ventilation (MHVR) systems to minimize energy demand.

 

Overlapping Volumes

The project is situated amongst the rolling hills of Torricelle, in the picturesque landscape of Verona. Set within a 2500m2 plot, the residence occupies 300m2 of living space, arranged in two monochromatic rectangular volumes, perfectly blending with the surrounding natural beauty.

 

Functional Layout

The home unfolds across two levels. On the ground floor, an expansive open-plan living area is highlighted by a striking steam-powered fireplace, which divides the dining-kitchen space overlooking the garden. A dramatic, backlit suspended staircase leads to the first floor, where the Japanese-inspired master suite is found, complete with an open bathroom and walk-in closet. The master bedroom opens onto a panoramic terrace with a hot tub, offering breathtaking views of the hills. Additional spaces on the first floor include a second bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, a study, and a laundry area. A large terrace wraps around the entire upper floor, imitating a vast telescope, formed by slanted surfaces near the perimeter walls, thus framing the stunning view of the hills.

 

 

Lighting & Materials

Within the interior, light takes center stage through a series of double-height windows. In parallel, the south-facing walls have been treated with textured plasters and golden tactile surfaces, creating a light interplay throughout the space. The project utilizes natural materials such as clay for the walls, which regulate humidity and ensure optimal living comfort. The suspended ceiling houses motorized roller blinds and an integrated climate control system, ensuring visual continuity between the interior and exterior spaces. Custom-made kitchen cabinetry and furniture further enhance the residence’s design aesthetic.

 

 

Sustainability Approach

The exterior has been meticulously designed to optimize energy efficiency, incorporating insulating and light-transmitting materials. The building’s orientation plays a crucial role: south-facing rooms harness sunlight for heat recovery during winter, while service areas on the north side reduce thermal loss. A large overhang protects the south-facing facade during summer months, offering comfort. Finally, the ventilation system and custom-designed lighting, featuring warm 3000 K lights, further enhance the home’s quality of living.

Tranquil environment

Located in the peaceful setting of Tinh An this 92m2 house celebrates the natural features of the land by incorporating a mature barringtonia asiatica (fish poison tree) as the central design element. Instead of removing the existing tree, the architects chose to preserve it and integrate it into the design. The result is a harmonious blend of nature and architecture, where the tree not only serves as the focal point of the residence but also demonstrates the project’s commitment to sustainability and environmental preservation.

 

Design Philosophy

The core philosophy of this house is to seamlessly integrate nature with architecture, creating a sustainable, harmonious, and serene living space. By placing the fish poison tree in the living room, the architects ensured that the tree would be the central feature of the house. Its branches extend upward through a rectangular opening in the concrete roof, creating an impressive visual connection between the living space and nature. In the heart of the house, an open courtyard garden sits between the communal area, the bathroom, and the two bedrooms, ensuring that each room receives natural light and fresh air.

 

Functional Layout

The single-story layout allows each room access to green space, ensuring continuous airflow. This intelligent arrangement creates a healthy, airy living environment that strengthens the connection with nature. Large glass doors provide clear views of the garden, with the greenery blending the line between the interior and the natural environment.

The façade, featuring an unfinished concrete block wall and recessed glass doors, provides privacy from the street while maintaining views from the inside. The combination of materials strikes a delicate balance between privacy and openness, ensuring that the house remains a private sanctuary while staying strongly connected to its surroundings.

 

Material Palette

Most of the walls are made from unfinished concrete blocks, providing a rough texture that complements the simplicity of the plants and landscape. The use of environmentally friendly, unburned concrete blocks keeps construction costs low, highlighting the rustic beauty and enhancing the tranquil atmosphere of the house. Reclaimed wood from local sources is used for much of the furniture to bring warmth to the interior, helping to create a modern yet tranquil atmosphere.

By opting for unfinished concrete blocks with sculptural and rustic aesthetic qualities, the design crafts a home that is both modern and blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. The simplicity of the concrete blocks, coupled with the presence of trees, grounds the house in the natural environment, making it feel like a natural extension of the area rather than an outsider.

Natural threshold

The project aims to design a modern three-bedroom residence that seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor living. Spanning 137m², the exterior features clean lines, white walls, and natural wooden accents, embodying a timeless and minimalist aesthetic.

 

Design Philosophy

A spacious swimming pool serves as the centerpiece of the outdoor area, surrounded by lush landscaping and thoughtfully arranged seating areas, perfect for relaxation and entertaining. A key design element is the outdoor storage volume, which seamlessly integrates with the house, creating a sense of architectural hierarchy. Clad in grooved, traditional Cypriot Kividas stone, this structure bridges the modern aesthetic with local heritage, adding both texture and cultural depth to the design.

 

Interior & Exterior Integration

The entrance is thoughtfully concealed behind the façade, which is composed of square perforated blocks. Visitors approach the residence gradually, passing through a pathway lined with flowers before reaching the doorway. This artistic yet functional design enhances depth and privacy, while the interplay of light and shadow through the hollow blocks creates a dynamic visual effect. Inside, the entrance hallway -featuring a stone-clad volume, lush greenery, and wooden accents- offers a serene and welcoming transition from the outside world, setting the tone for an interior that radiates warmth and comfort.

 

Materials & Sustainability

The chosen materials feature earthy tones and natural textures, creating a warm and organic atmosphere. The open layout seamlessly connects the dining and living areas, while large sliding glass doors invite abundant natural light and provide effortless access to the courtyard. Embracing biophilic design, the house integrates plants and natural materials to strengthen the connection with nature. A complementary bioclimatic approach ensures thermal comfort, preventing overheating in the summer while maintaining natural warmth in winter.

Striking a balance between functionality, aesthetics, and tranquility, the design offers a modern retreat in the heart of Aglantzia, thoughtfully incorporating elements of cultural and architectural heritage.

Transparent shell

Surat, a thriving hub of commerce and culture in Gujarat, has steadily transformed into a city that balances tradition with rapid modernization. Known for its bustling textile industry and diamond trade, it is a city of resilience, innovation, and growth. Amidst this vibrant backdrop, the 2400m2 project emerges as a beacon of contemporary design that integrates seamlessly with the natural environment.

 

Project Philosophy

At the core of the office’s design lies a philosophy of openness and fluidity. Much like the single-celled organism it is named after, the architecture is dynamic and ever-adaptive, drawing from the natural forms and elements that surround it. The office comprises four glass cubes -two directors’ spaces, a meeting room, and a staff area- each strategically positioned around a central veranda. This design creates a visually striking as well as functional structure, where indoor spaces flow seamlessly into outdoor semi-open areas. The veranda acts as a communal hub, reminiscent of Indian homes, encouraging informal interactions, creativity, and free-flowing discussions. This deliberate blending of indoor and outdoor transforms the space into a living, breathing environment that thrives on collaboration and connection.

 

Architectural Elements

Transparency is at the heart of the project’s architectural design. The glass cubes allow natural light to flood into the spaces, fostering a sense of openness and connection to the surrounding garden. This transparency extends beyond mere aesthetics; it is a conscious design choice that reflects the values of modern corporate culture -clarity, visibility, and inclusivity. The garden office concept enhances this connection to nature, making the workspace an integral part of the landscape rather than an imposition upon it. Large, cantilevered roofs provide shade, shielding the glass structures from Surat’s intense sun while also casting ever-shifting patterns of light and shadow throughout the day. This constant play of natural elements creates a dynamic environment, where the atmosphere changes with the time of day, fostering a workspace that is as flexible as it is inspirational.

 

Sustainable Design

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the project is a model of sustainable design. The emphasis on natural daylight dramatically reduces the need for artificial lighting, promoting energy efficiency. Additionally, the thoughtful incorporation of local materials not only reduces the building’s carbon footprint but also supports the local economy. The exposed concrete, the black-tiled flooring, and the custom furniture crafted by local artisans are a testament to the architect’s commitment to sustainability. By engaging local carpenters and procuring materials from nearby areas, the project reduces transportation costs and fosters community involvement. The design also features high cross-ventilation, significantly lowering air-conditioning needs, while innovative plumbing systems conserve water, further demonstrating the project’s alignment with green architecture principles.

 

Vegetation & Decoration

The lush gardens are thoughtfully designed with native plant species, which not only thrive in the local climate but also contribute to the ecological balance by supporting regional flora and fauna. The garden is not just an afterthought but an integral part of the design, reinforcing the connection between workspaces and the natural environment. Internally, the office feels like an art gallery. The open spaces are adorned with sculptures and artworks that infuse the environment with creativity and inspiration.

Solid helix

The project aim was to turn the unique historic character of the existing 2-story solid masonry structure, as well as its compact neighborhood setting, into a design opportunity -creating an exemplary prototype for high-density, sustainable urban living.

 

Project Aim

The 210m2 townhouse is designed with the notion that ‘small is beautiful’, something that can be traced back to the early modernists of Europe and America who used this as a premise in their search for the most ergonomic and frugal housing unit. While their solutions leaned towards what is just enough to live comfortably, this proposal maximizes richness and complexity to create a 4-dimensional interplay of spaces linked across two eras in time and intricately crafted with shifts in movement, perspective, and materiality. The house’s manifold attachments to the adjacent structures and surrounding vegetation served as the guide to the proposed volumetric extrusions that establish an otherness within the existing context.

 

Design Morphology

The original structure is left intact to maintain the largely opaque building edges and serve as the foundational base for the new intervention. It is treated as the structural core, off of which a multi-faceted roof extension enveloping an additional story and other hovering projections emerges. The intersection between the folded zinc-and-glass envelope and the densely packed program within, generates several distinctly formed apertures such as the pyramidal skylight in the kitchen, a glass slit in the living room exposing what used to be a narrow rear yard, and a fully glazed window revealing the panoramic view of the streetscape below framed by an old-growth tree. The terrace at the roof level extends the kitchen and dining room toward the exterior and offers a moment of outdoor respite amidst the surrounding foliage and neighborhood roofscape.

 

Staircase Design

At the heart of the building is a custom-built winding stair that connects the entrance floor with the double-height living area above and the open kitchen-and-dining on the topmost level. The organic and fluid geometry of this solid-steel helix form connects all public areas of the house in one continuous sweep, thus creating a sculptural vortex of daylit space. Here, density and richness condense together to create a singular object that is both extremely efficient and strikingly beautiful. This stair embodies a uniquely sensible architectural gesture that marries design intelligence, manufacturing expertise, and dynamic form-optimization to go beyond mere problem-solving.

 

Materials & Sustainability

The sculptural corporality and rich textures of the interiors are a deliberate departure from the typically rationalist and frugal effect of compact dwellings. High-contrast black raw wood cladding and cabinetry, textured stone surfaces, and brass mosaics are highlighted by soft glowing light coves. Precious glass pendants elevate the interior atmosphere, while complementing the organically shaped wood furniture and natural wool rugs. Finally, the roof is lined with fully integrated PV panels that provide the almost off-the-grid building with baseline electricity sufficient to run heat pumps, hot water supply, lighting, as well as a 13kW Tesla battery to charge an electric car.

Urban regeneration

The new Nicosia Town Hall complex is situated among ancient ruins that reflect the history of the island’s divided capital. Serving as a luminous “magic lantern” at night, the project becomes a centerpiece for the broader urban regeneration of the old town. Strategically positioned next to the fenced Green Line, it occupies a symbolic location at the heart of the city’s narrative.

 

Functional Organization

The design consolidates all municipal services, which were previously scattered, into a single location. The administration offices, registry office, and planning department are combined with additional spaces that enrich the building’s program -such as a corridor with panoramic views, a multi-purpose rooftop terrace open to the sky, shaded outdoor areas, and a flexible room for after-hours events. The goal was to integrate the complex into a democratic public space, accessible to pedestrians, thereby fostering both literal and figurative exchange.

 

 

Contextual Integration

Additionally, a passive design strategy was employed to provide sustainable solutions tailored to the southern Mediterranean climate, within the context of a unique historic center enclosed by walls. The project, born out of an architectural competition, evolved as the excavations progressed. To integrate the archaeological finds, it was crucial to maintain the core principles of transparency, openness, and multifunctionality. Dividing the project into separate buildings addressed the challenge of foundations over the antiquities and facilitated the creation of public passageways. The individual volumes, connected by bridges and stairs at floor level, were arranged around the central hall, providing shade and creating covered spaces for events. Their façades enrich the urban environment, reflecting the movement of staff inside.

A walkway encircling the excavated area links the separate sections to the surrounding streets. Positioned at the lower level, the main building, with large glass walls connecting it to the antiquities, is designed for regular City Council meetings and a variety of events. The roof, open to the sky, accommodates diverse activities, while a surrounding walkway offers panoramic views of the densely populated city and both sides of the island.

 

 

Sustainable Approach

For both the office spaces and the main hall, simple and cost-effective strategies were implemented to minimize the reliance on mechanical cooling. In the office areas, the massive concrete structures are designed to maximize their exposure to the sun, allowing them to absorb excess heat. At night, this heat is released back into the environment, completing the daily thermal cycle.

The south-facing façade features a ventilated ceramic tile covering, interrupted by tall windows with double glazing, while the north façade is protected by a thin curtain wall. To optimize the building’s performance, the solar behavior of both façades was simulated to minimize summer heat buildup while ensuring high-quality natural light. All ventilation is manually controlled from within each office.

In the main hall, a large woven birch plywood “basket” is attached to a double steel anti-seismic frame, creating a ventilation zone behind the glazing. Cool air is introduced through the building management system (BMS) at the base and released from above, maintaining a constant internal temperature. The wooden construction also filters external light and enhances sound absorption, making it ideal for talks and events. Oak and poplar wood paneling is used throughout the space, providing a distinctive textured finish.

Finally, the artificial lighting scheme emphasizes clarity, orientation, and the public presence of the building within the city. Linear and recessed luminaires are carefully integrated into ceilings, circulation areas, and architectural elements, providing even illumination while preserving the clean architectural lines of the spaces. Externally, subtle façade lighting and the glow from the interior transform the town hall into a luminous urban landmark, reinforcing its role as an open and accessible civic institution within the historic center of Nicosia.

 

Micro Communities

Little Athens is a new and vibrant neighborhood that features a broad range of contemporary residences and apartments designed by acclaimed local and international architects. Initially comprising five residential developments -Park Rise, Pavilion Terraces, Promenade Heights, Atrium Gardens, and Trinity Gardens- it will provide all the benefits of The Ellinikon: the proximity to the park and the beach, a smart city community, and a variety of shopping, food and beverage destinations, as well as wellbeing facilities.

 

Park Rise

Park Rise is designed by the internationally renowned architectural studio Bjarke Ingels Group. It includes 88 residences across 12 storeys, providing panoramic sea and park views with LEED Gold Certification. The residential complex provides exclusively to the residents’ amenities such as indoor swimming pool and gym, while a pavilion has been created to host outdoor activities for both children and adults.

 

Pavilion Terraces

Pavilion Terraces is a complex of 156 apartments in 7 six-storey buildings (4 mixed-use and 3 pure residential), designed by architectural practice 314 Architecture Studio. The buildings provide panoramic sea and park views, while the penthouses are offered with roof gardens and Jacuzzis. At the ground floor of the mixed-use buildings, neighborhood retail units are developed, enhancing a sense of community and openness.

 

Promenade Heights

Also designed by 314 Architecture Studio, Promenade Heights is constituted by 2 complexes with 79 apartments in total, offering different apartment typologies, from one to four bedrooms. The complexes comprise of nine buildings, up to 5 storeys high, which are developed in two plots with open green areas.

 

Atrium Gardens

Atrium Gardens is a mixed-use complex designed by Deda & Architects, with 56 Apartments from one to four bedrooms in four buildings, up to 5 storeys. The standout feature of the compound is the central private courtyard shared amongst the residents, while the neighborhood retail units are developed along the road servicing the local community.

 

Trinity Gardens

Trinity Gardens, designed by Tsolakis Architects, consists of 80 apartments from one to four bedrooms, in three residential buildings up to 5 storeys high. The complex includes a central courtyard shared amongst the residents, and has easy access to The Ellinikon Park, the sea and Little Athens retail.

Into the ground

The project aim is to design a residence that “emerges naturally” from the ground, using local materials and, more specifically, the traditional dry-stone walls found in the area.

 

Design Philosophy

The plot is located on a steep terrain with significant height variations. Within the site, there are several planted olive trees, and in keeping with tradition, over the years, numerous dry-stone walls have been constructed to support and shape the land. These walls, along with the sloped topography, served as the starting point for the creation of the new subterranean residence.

 

Functional Organization

Considering the site’s contour lines and local materials, the residence’s design took the form of two new subterranean volumes with fluid forms, whose façades blend harmoniously with the rocky landscape. This is achieved by using angular lines and incorporating materials from the surrounding context, while the structural walls of the façade extend along the length of the plot, meeting the ground and mimicking the traditional dry-stone walls.

In order to maximize the plot’s geometry, the design is developed across two levels, to deal with the challenge of the steep slope. Access to the main residence is provided via an outdoor staircase from the main road. On the first level of the subterranean building, the communal living spaces and three bedrooms are arranged, having direct access to the outdoor area. On the second level, two additional bedrooms are accessed via an internal staircase, featuring uninterrupted views. Skylights have been carefully designed to improve natural lighting and ventilation, functioning as sources of light as well as adding an interesting morphology to the overall interior design.

 

Material Palette

Natural materials in earthy tones have been selected for both the interior and exterior of the residence. Shades of white, beige, brown, and light grey mimic the area’s existing colour palette. Additionally, the use of similar materials in both the interior and exterior blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Powerful landmark

The National Observatory of Cyprus was designed to be a captivating destination for stargazers worldwide, with architecture that harmoniously integrates the building’s volume with the vast sky. Engineered for low maintenance and long-term durability, the observatory aims to inspire future generations, embodying the spirit of exploration as well as our civilization’s quest to understand the universe and our place within it.

 

Context Integration

Cyprus’ first purpose-built observatory will be open to the public and serve as a center for scientific research. Located in a remote rural area, the project aimed to create an architectural landmark that would positively impact the surrounding landscape while becoming a world-class destination to inspire future generations of explorers. The design was crafted to possess a distinctive identity that draws attention from afar, making the human experience of the space both captivating and meaningful. The site’s subtle ridge and significant elevation changes, played a key role in shaping the design, resulting in an elegant and responsive form. The building’s volume was split into two parts, with an opening that frames a view of the valley, the sea, and the horizon. A porch was situated between the two volumes, while the second volume was diagonally “cut,” creating an opening that frames a view of the neighboring village of Agridia.

 

 

Interior Design

The two high-tech telescopes are the focal points of the building. The first floor is dedicated entirely to stargazing and houses a 20-inch night telescope, housed within a 5.6-meter-wide dome that rotates 360 degrees. The second floor features the helium telescope, which has a 4x4m moving hydraulic roof, making it one of the few publicly accessible telescopes of its kind in the world. Visitors also encounter the astromarine, a mobile platform used for moving telescopes, which is available for use by amateur stargazers who may bring their own equipment. Given the sensitivity of the telescopes to light, the interior lighting is carefully designed in shades of red, blue, and purple. Additionally, because the telescopes are sensitive to movement and vibration, each one is supported on a column that is statically independent of the building structure.

The ground floor accommodates the building’s secondary functions, including a reception area, café, offices, and a planetarium. The entrance, located between the two volumes, opens directly into the reception area, offering a stunning view of the valley through a large window. A central staircase then leads visitors up to the telescopes above.

 

 

Material Palette & Sustainability

Half of the building is embedded in the ground, functioning as a natural heat valve that significantly reduces summer temperatures. The choice of materials aligns with the long-term goal of minimal maintenance. Inside, a palette of natural materials creates a warm, inviting atmosphere. The walls are clad in plywood panels, the flooring consists of polished cast cement, and the steps are made of granite. In contrast, the exterior is wrapped in aluminum panels with a mirror-like finish. As a structure primarily designed for observing the stars, planets, and the universe, the reflective cladding emphasizes the act of looking outward. The building mirrors the sky and “disappears” into the vast landscape.