Renewed perspective

The project of Dexamenes matures gracefully over time, much like wine – a narrative defined by continuity, a gentle projection into the future, and a constant state of entropy. Quiet reinvention has become intrinsic to its character: the hotel evolves through modest gestures, extending itself layer by layer, season by season. Since its inception, it has consistently reactivated its existing components. The twin silos now pulse with wellness, art, and recurring culinary events, each iteration fostering an ongoing dialogue with the past.

 

Extension Strategy

In parallel, the building has sought its own modes of evolution, delicately emerging from its robust concrete base. A few years after its completion, as cultural and culinary programs continued to flourish, it became evident that the site could accommodate a new chapter in hospitality – an additional layer that would honor the original ethos while offering a renewed perspective. During the early stages of construction, when the interiors of the tanks remained inaccessible, time spent on their rooftops revealed a unique sensation of elevation. From this vantage point, the sky met the sea in a continuous, uninterrupted line. It was this immediate connection to the horizon that ultimately informed the addition of a new layer atop the concrete tanks.

 

 

Functional Organization

Eight new rooms now occupy this elevated structure. A lightweight framework of slender metal tubes and warm wooden planks hovers above the solid tanks, tracing the building’s geometry without imposing upon it. These refined elements dematerialize the presence of the new level, allowing a thin canopy to appear as though it floats effortlessly above the concrete volume. A linear water feature frames the horizon, visually merging the architecture with the sea. Sunlight reflecting off the wooden pergola animates the surfaces, reinforcing the nautical, raft-like character of the intervention. The new rooms extend the palette, aesthetic, and spatial logic of the existing accommodations. Each one opens toward the sea through a generous veranda, shaded beneath the pergola, while access from the rear courtyard integrates the upper level into the daily life of the hotel below.

 

 

Design Philosophy

From this elevated vantage point, guests engage with the silos, the cultivated vines of the garden, and the rhythm of activity below, now perceived from a distinctly different perspective. The addition does more than expand the hotel’s capacity; it encapsulates, activates, and extends the evolving narrative of Dexamenes. The rooftop of the rear tank remains intentionally open-ended, reserved as a space for experimentation and discovery. From here, the horizon stretches infinitely, uncharted and anticipatory, awaiting the next chapter in the life of the hotel.

 

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.

 

Spatial mediator

Set within the tall perimeter walls of a disused factory, the project unfolds as a carefully orchestrated intervention that redefines the relationship between domestic life, industrial memory, and landscape. Rather than demolishing the existing structure, the proposal preserves its masonry enclosure, transforming constraints into spatial opportunities. Hidden behind a modest entrance, the residence reveals itself gradually, structured around a central open-air garden that becomes the core of the architectural composition.

 

Renovation Strategy

Facing a public square in Lendinara, the project presents a restrained and almost opaque exterior. A tall wall, marked by an irregular profile, recalls the layered history of industrial constructions in the area. The only visible opening – a small iron door – conceals the spatial richness beyond. Once inside, the perception shifts dramatically, revealing a lush, enclosed garden defined by high walls and climbing vegetation.

Located in a context where traces of past industrial activity coexist with residential fabric and green spaces, the project engages directly with its surroundings. The proximity to the public park and the historic garden of Ca’ Dolfin-Marchiori informs the architectural strategy, introducing landscape as an essential component of the dwelling experience.

 

 

Landscape Design

At the heart of the project lies the garden, conceived as an open-air room that organizes the entire domestic program. Created through the partial demolition of the factory roof and the repositioning of the new volume, this green courtyard introduces light, air, and visual continuity into an otherwise introverted structure.

The house develops as a compact, two-level volume inserted within the preserved perimeter walls. Its spatial configuration establishes a continuous dialogue with the garden, most notably through a double-height living space that opens fully onto it via a large, glazed façade. Framed by a timber lattice structure, this transparent surface mediates between interior and exterior, reinforcing the vertical rhythm of the composition and extending into the roof geometry.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The project is defined by a deliberate interplay between openness and enclosure, visibility and concealment. From the street, the house remains entirely hidden, while internally it unfolds through carefully framed views toward greenery. This sequence of spatial transitions constructs a controlled yet dynamic experience of movement and perception.

Materially and structurally, the intervention balances timber, steel, and glass within the existing masonry framework. The new construction echoes the industrial profile of the former building, while introducing a refined architectural language that emphasizes lightness and spatial continuity.

Guided by the notion of landscape as an architectural device, the design moves beyond nostalgic references to industrial heritage. Instead, it repositions the garden as a fundamental condition of contemporary dwelling – not as a decorative element, but as a necessary spatial and environmental mediator that defines the identity of the house.

Horizontal form

Located in Agios Tychonas, Cyprus, this private residence is conceived as a clear architectural composition of horizontal and vertical volumes that respond to the natural slope of the site. The building rests on an exposed concrete structural frame that establishes a solid base, while the white-rendered upper level introduces a sense of visual lightness. Continuous south-facing glazing and wooden louvers reinforce the relationship between interior space and landscape, creating transparency and warmth. The overall composition emphasizes horizontality, directing views toward the horizon and the infinity pool, which operates as a spatial extension of the interior living areas. The project’s architectural identity balances the raw texture of concrete with warm wooden surfaces and glass, establishing a contemporary dialogue with the surrounding natural environment.

 

Spatial Organization

The functional layout is structured around an open-plan ground floor where living, dining and kitchen spaces unfold seamlessly toward the outdoor terrace and swimming pool. This arrangement strengthens the connection between interior and exterior while extending everyday living into the garden.

The upper level accommodates the private areas of the house. Bedrooms and bathrooms are organized along a linear circulation corridor and are complemented by perimeter balconies that enhance privacy while encouraging cross-ventilation. The clarity of the plan establishes strong visual axes that guide the gaze toward the surrounding landscape, while allowing flexibility of use and a comfortable everyday spatial experience.

Bioclimatic Strategy

Environmental considerations are integrated into the project from the earliest stages of design. The building’s orientation and form respond directly to the climatic characteristics of the site, enabling passive regulation of temperature and daylight.

Carefully positioned overhangs and cantilevered elements, combined with adjustable wooden louvers, mitigate solar exposure during the summer months while allowing the lower winter sun to penetrate the interior spaces. Large openings facilitate natural cross-ventilation and passive cooling, while the exposed concrete structure operates as thermal mass, storing and gradually releasing heat to maintain stable indoor conditions.

 

 

Materials & Landscape Design

The architectural expression of the residence emerges from the dialogue between its material palette and the surrounding landscape. Concrete, wood, glass and white render are employed with restraint, establishing a balanced composition that reflects both modernist clarity and sensitivity to place.

Strategic planting around the perimeter contributes to the improvement of the microclimate, while the presence of the pool and landscaped surfaces enhances evaporative cooling. The overall form of the building adapts to the topography of the site, minimizing environmental impact while shaping a calm and open living environment.

Through this approach, the residence functions as a contemporary retreat where interior and exterior spaces merge seamlessly. Each volume, opening and material choice contributes to a spatial experience that prioritizes sustainability, clarity and a strong relationship with the natural landscape.

 

The 7th event in ek magazine’s Material Matters architecture series will take place on 16 June 2026 at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron Mousikis Athinon), Banquet Hall.

Material Matters explores the importance of both contemporary and traditional materials -and their architectural applications- through the theoretical perspectives and built work of Greek architects. Starting from each material’s history and its constructional or expressive qualities, the presentations focus on how it can be reinterpreted in today’s context, shaped by ongoing economic and technological change.

Material Matters Vol. 7 is dedicated to a family of materials and applications encountered at the very first level of a building’s “reading”: the facade. This year’s edition focuses specifically on building envelopes where metal and glass are the dominant construction materials. As the threshold between interior organisation and the external environment, the façade operates within complex relationships—of meaning and symbolism, but also of engineering performance. In addressing functional demands while enhancing the presence and identity of a building, it often gains a degree of autonomy as a distinct design object in its own right.

A line-up of ten speakers from the fields of architecture and design will discuss the role of the façade in architecture -through their own work as well as selected projects by other architects -in a series of engaging 10-minute presentations.

 

Speakers:

– Nikolaos Siapkaras & Anna Assana | A&S Architects
– Mathilda Beraha | ARID
– Lukas Bobotis | Bobotis + Bobotis Architects
– Demetra Katsota | Buerger Katsota Architects
– Nikolas Travasaros | Divercity Architects
– Anargyros Mougiakos | ISV
– Natassa Lianou & Ermis Chalvatzis | LC Architects
– Ivy Nanopoulou & Eri Nikoloudi | Thymio Papayannis & Associates
– Eraclis Papachristou | Eraclis Papachristou Architects

Keynote Speakers:

– Massimiliano Fuksas | Studio Fuksas

 

The event is under the auspices of the Hellenic Institute of Architecture, the Hellenic-Italian Chamber of Commerce of Thessaloniki and the Hellenic-Italian Chamber of Commerce of Athens.

 

 

 

 

Platinum Sponsor: Elval Colour

Gold Sponsor: F|Nous

Silver Sponsor: VOUTSADAKIS S.A.

Bronze Sponsor: e-dreams

Stage Design Sponsor: Rouchotas

Cocktail Event Sponsor: DIPO – INTERWOOD

Sponsors: AkzoNobel, Alumil, ETEM, Europa, ilicon, MIPECO, Vitex

Supporters: Domiki Papanikolaou, Koligas Wood, Saint-Gobain Glass,  TEXTURE AND TILES

Hospitality Sponsor: Electra Rhythm Athens, INNATHENS

Wine Sponsor: Zacharias Wine

 

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.

 

Clear details

The primary intention of the project was to create a residence that offers protection without sacrificing a sense of openness -an environment in which spaces are revealed gradually, guiding the experience from the urban frontage toward a luminous inner world.

 

Design Philosophy

The architectural composition is organized through horizontal volumes that slide past one another, forming shaded seating areas and carefully calibrated openings. These elements express the project’s central idea: a dialogue between transparency and privacy. Toward the street, the building adopts a more introverted stance, allowing only selective views outward. Near the garden, however, the architecture becomes almost diaphanous, as large sliding surfaces open entire façades, integrating the exterior into the everyday life of the interior spaces. Materiality follows the same logic: clean horizontal lines, textured plaster finishes, and solid surfaces convey stability, while expansive glazing introduces lightness and permeability.

 

 

Spatial Organization

Within the interior prevails a strong sense of continuity. The ground floor functions as a unified social field where the living area, kitchen, and dining space flow seamlessly into one another. The dining area, conceived as a double-height space, forms the spatial core of the house. A large skylight above allows natural light to penetrate deep into the interior, creating an ever-changing atmosphere that accompanies the rhythm of the day. This luminous void acts as a vertical connector, giving the home the character of an internal “courtyard” that links the different levels.

The upper floor accommodates the private functions. The master bedroom is positioned on the most protected side of the plot and is complemented by generous auxiliary spaces. The remaining bedrooms are designed as flexible units, offering independence to family members, while the attic functions as a workspace.

 

 

Material Palette

The interior material palette remains calm and earthy: warm tones, soft textures, and refined detailing create an atmosphere of balance and serenity – an architecture grounded in restraint and light.

 

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.

 

Daily living

The overall approach conveys a contemporary residence of high aesthetic quality, where comfort, functionality, and materiality coexist in harmony, offering a living environment characterized by identity, calmness, and timeless value.

 

Design Philosophy

The apartment is located in the heart of Thessaloniki, on Palaion Patron Germanou Street. The new floor plan has been organized into distinct zones, responding to the everyday life of the family. A spacious common area, with direct access to the two openings on the main façade, accommodates a large kitchen with an island and dining area, along with a comfortable living room. A concealed bar and a small home office, flanked symmetrically by storage units for daily use, stand out for the character they add to the space.

Particular emphasis was placed on storage solutions, which were carefully designed both in terms of their external appearance and internal configuration, ensuring maximum spatial efficiency. The master bedroom includes a walk-in wardrobe, an additional workspace, and a private en-suite bathroom. Two children’s bedrooms and a larger shared bathroom complete the layout of the residence.

 

 

Custom Elements

Starting from the apartment’s existing morphology, a series of custom-built elements were designed to “dress” and resolve areas that required intervention. A characteristic example is the large structural beam that interrupted the open-plan space, which was reinterpreted as a coffered slab and seamlessly integrated into the overall composition. The decision to rely exclusively on custom-made furniture allowed for complete design freedom, without constraints in materials, dimensions, or standardized solutions, ensuring spatial coherence, functionality, and a unified aesthetic identity.

 

 

Materiality and Lighting

The combination of distinctive and diverse materials formed the core of the design concept, adding character and visual interest throughout the apartment while maintaining a balanced and harmonious result. Material transitions were used as a narrative tool, marking the passage from one space to another – such as the patterned tile in the entrance and hallway, which acts both as a clear threshold and as an introductory element to the living areas. Natural and artificial lighting were carefully studied to enhance textures and materials, while also shaping the appropriate atmosphere for everyday living.

 

 

Three design phases

The project focuses on the redesign of the living area, guided by the principle of preserving the existing floor plan to the greatest possible extent. The original layout comprised a clearly defined entrance hall and a closed kitchen, connected to the private quarters via a corridor. The main challenge lay in reorganizing the shared spaces to create a more open, functional, and contemporary environment, without compromising the apartment’s inherent character.

 

Functional Layout

The first phase of the intervention is defined by targeted, small-scale operations with a substantial spatial impact. The removal of the door leading to the private areas allows for the reconfiguration and functional enhancement of the kitchen. The demolition of the entrance hall partitions unifies the space and strengthens the spatial sequence from the entrance toward the living area. Simultaneously, the kitchen is directly linked to the dining and living zones, forming a continuous, open-plan environment for everyday life.

A defining feature of this phase is the introduction of sliding plywood partitions. Operating as a flexible spatial filter, they allow the kitchen to be visually and functionally concealed, when necessary, while adding material depth and warmth to the otherwise restrained, predominantly white interior.

 

 

Custom Elements

Following several years of inhabitation, the need for additional storage emerged in the form of a bookcase along the wall adjacent to the entrance. The proximity of the door to the private areas presented both a limitation and a design opportunity. In response, the second phase introduces a modular shelving system composed of three interconnected units of increasing scale. This gradual progression accommodates books of varying sizes, with the largest module positioned closest to the door.

Constructed from plywood and grey-blue Formica, the bookcase introduces a subtle chromatic accent while remaining consistent with the material language established in the first phase. The door, initially white and visually disruptive, is clad with vertical plywood strips, allowing it to dissolve into the overall composition.

 

 

Ancillary Spaces & Materials

A third phase of design and construction addresses the growing need for additional storage through an extension of the existing shelving system. The new intervention adheres to the proportions and formal logic of the original structure, while responding to the evolving functional requirements of the residents.

The extension integrates multiple functions: generous book shelving, enclosed storage, a dedicated area for removing and storing shoes upon entry, and a discreet arrangement of coat hooks. Rather than introducing a conventional wardrobe element, the design proposes a solution that maintains its spatial clarity and visual balance whether in use or left empty.

The seamless integration of the extension into the existing system is critical to the project’s success. Particular attention is given to the calibration of width and depth, ensuring continuity and coherence. The three central shelves of the new structure echo the proportions of the three sliding plywood partitions introduced in the first phase, establishing a subtle dialogue between different temporal layers of the project. A corner shelf acts as a connective element between old and new, while mobile plywood boxes on castors beneath the main shelves provide flexible and adaptable storage solutions.

 

Domestic origin

The new Daras Dental clinic in Piraeus challenges the conventions of a typical clinical environment, redefining it as a place of healing rather than discomfort. Bright surfaces, warm wooden tones, semi-transparent materials, and domestic details come together to soothe patients’ anxiety and create a more welcoming atmosphere.

 

Spatial Organization

Housed in a 1960s apartment building near the port, the 110 m² residence is transformed into a multi-dental clinic for three dentists and their staff. The original living–dining area is removed and replaced by a timber-and-glass module made of channel glass, accommodating the reception, office, CT scan room, waiting area, and the main treatment room. Two additional treatment rooms, the restrooms, and staff areas are organized within the apartment’s existing partitions.

Materials & Construction

The clinic’s identity emerges from the combination of wood and glass, blending the typologies of clinic and home. Rather than concealing the conversion, the design embraces the space’s domestic origins, fostering a sense of comfort. Contemporary details subtly reference the modernism of the 1960s – the decade in which the building was constructed.

 

 

Form & Lighting Design

Piraeus itself – the busiest passenger port in Europe and a gateway to the Aegean Sea – also served as a source of inspiration. Luminous glazed surfaces evoke the depths of the sea, while circular openings and finely crafted joinery recall the craftsmanship of yachts. A discreet mint-green floor bridges the clinical and nautical references. Above all, light animates the space: luminous ceilings provide a clean, fresh counterpoint to the more domestic service areas.

 

Contrasting shapes

On the main street of the Havana district -an area of particular interest for food and beverage venues- a new contemporary Italian trattoria takes shape, emphasizing a balanced dialogue between materiality and form.

 

Exterior Design & Layout

Along the sidewalk, the restaurant unfolds with its first outdoor dining area. During the summer months, the metal pergola opens, allowing the large plane trees lining the street to provide natural shade throughout the day, while leaving the sky visible at night. Perimeter planting functions as a natural filter from passersby and street traffic, complemented by marine plywood panels which, through their carefully considered design and placement, allow natural light to penetrate the space, casting dramatic shadows and creating a layered atmosphere.

The main dining hall coexists with the open kitchen, where a low counter in front of the chefs’ workspace enhances a sense of immediacy and informality -core principles of the design concept. Comfortable rosewood sofas are arranged along the perimeter, oriented toward the heart of the restaurant, the kitchen, evoking the feeling of a large communal living room. Tables for both small and larger groups are interspersed throughout the space. The existing central column, a dominant feature of the hall, is embraced by a custom-made marble table and serves as the structural base for a suspended metal planter.

Material Palette

The interior is clad with symmetrical perforated panels crafted from oak and rosewood, integrated with concealed lighting that bathes the space in warm wooden reflections. Upholstery fabrics draw inspiration from Italian elegance, both in their combinations and in the detailing of their stitching. Walls finished with hand-applied plaster gain luminosity from embedded, scattered mirrors, while material contrast is further reinforced by the use of construction planks on the floor and the brass cladding applied to all industrial stainless-steel kitchen equipment. Overall, the dialogue between raw materials -such as construction planks and plaster- and more refined ones -such as marble and brass- achieves a balance that reflects the spirit of the restaurant.

 

 

Morphology & Color Scheme

Circular elements and curves dominate the composition, both in plan and in the finer design details, from the shapes of tables and lighting fixtures to the perforations in the wooden wall panels. The circle is employed repetitively to establish a strong visual motif, while the square tile used in the preparation areas, combined with exposed green grout, was selected to introduce geometric contrast.

The color palette is led by green -featured on the entrance door, tables, selected walls, seating, and tile joints- and yellow, present in the sofas and the tones of the wood. These are complemented by brass accents, visible in elements such as the bar cladding and selected lighting fixtures.

 

Handcrafted aesthetic

In designing the restaurant, the aim was to create a non-conventional space that would actively engage visitors in an experience highlighting the values of art, design, and gastronomy, translating them into tangible forms, materials, and textures.

 

Spatial Organization

The existing restaurant features a distinctive double-height space with a mezzanine and a spiral staircase, while its façades are clad with large metal openings that provide full visual permeability throughout the interior. Upon entering, visitors encounter the central dining zone, arranged in an open-plan layout with seating, the bar and its counter, and an open kitchen at the rear, allowing guests to observe the food preparation process.

With a strong emphasis on detail, custom-made marble tables were designed, along with stainless-steel chairs featuring cushions made of flexible gel, introducing an unusual, soft tactile quality. The floor is finished with a mosaic composed of various Greek marble fragments, combined with bespoke ceramic tiles by artist Vasilis Papageorgiou.

 

 

Materials & Furnishings

Although wood in its natural tone appears to dominate at first glance, the design also incorporates materials with a more robust character, such as stainless steel and marble, which are seamlessly absorbed by the warmth and softness of the wood.

A central feature of the space is a sculptural light tube that rises to the ceiling and draws the eye from every direction, even from outside the restaurant. A handcrafted wool-and-silk rug by artist Yannis Varelas adorns the wall in front of the luminous column, becoming a focal point through its rich chromatic variety. The interplay of these two key elements creates an atmosphere of warmth and comfort, further enhanced by ambient lighting from smaller pendant fixtures and wall sconces.

 

 

Staircase Design

The stainless-steel staircase at the rear introduces a distinctive geometry to the space and leads visitors to the mezzanine, which is lined with wooden, wall-mounted wine libraries. This function extends to the basement as well, where the entrance resembles a wooden tunnel illuminated by a 90-degree light tube that continues the vertical column from the ground floor.

 

Central core

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

 

Design Philosophy

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

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

 

 

Spatial Organization

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

 

 

Material Palette

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

 

Quiet retreat

The project was conceived as a serene extension of a family home, offering a place for movement, relaxation, and quiet retreat.

 

Design Philosophy

Set among mature trees, it balances openness with a sense of refuge, creating an environment shaped by light, calm, and connection to nature. Positioned above the sloping terrain, the pavilion touches the ground lightly, supported by slender columns. Existing trees are preserved and incorporated into the outdoor spaces, reinforcing the sense of immersion in the landscape.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The structure forms a counterpart to the existing residence, defining an outdoor courtyard used as a central gathering space. Inside, the rooms are arranged around a warm, timber volume, with expansive openings that allow the surrounding landscape to frame each interior area.

The 1970s stucco-clad suburban home is connected via a bridge leading to the pavilion, which includes areas for exercise, rest, and small-scale gatherings. A fitness room, sauna, bathroom, and flexible multi-purpose space are linked to the house by a bridge. The elevated deck extends the interior outward and creates additional zones for leisure.

Material Palette

The interior emphasizes natural tones and soft textures, allowing daylight to guide the atmosphere throughout the day. Exposed structural elements filter sunlight from above, creating subtle patterns that echo the surrounding canopy. Finally, existing redwood and oak trees puncture the new deck, structuring space as much as the walls of the pavilion itself.

 

 

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.

 

Pure hierarchy

The project reflects an approach focused on redefining interior space through the subtle interplay of geometry, proportion, and material. The concept emerged from the need to reconfigure an existing apartment into a contemporary living environment that combines warmth, precision, and flexibility. Attention to detail guided every stage of the process, from spatial planning to the selection of textures and colors.

 

Design Philosophy

The apartment’s layout was redesigned to establish fluid connections between areas while maintaining a sense of privacy where needed. Walls were repositioned to optimize circulation and to allow natural light to permeate deeper into the space. Transitions between rooms were carefully considered to create a continuous flow that enhances the perception of openness.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The program is organized around a clear hierarchy of spaces. Public areas such as the living room, kitchen, and dining zone are visually connected, forming a coherent ensemble for daily activities. Private areas, including the bedrooms and bathrooms, are strategically separated to provide comfort and intimacy. Every element, from furniture placement to lighting, was designed to promote functional clarity.

 

 

Material Palette

Red birch wood plays a central role in defining the character of the apartment, adding depth and warmth to the minimal composition. Its natural grain and color variations create a visual rhythm that contrasts with neutral surfaces and fine details. Stone, metal, and light were integrated as complementary elements, emphasizing craftsmanship and tactile quality.

 

Colorful route

The Happy Tooth pediatric dental clinic occupies a 230 m² space on the third floor of an office building in Voula.

 

Design Philosophy

The central design idea was to create a welcoming and playful environment that reduces children’s anxiety, while at the same time conveying professionalism and functionality for the medical staff.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The layout was organized around a central corridor that connects the reception, waiting areas, and examination rooms. Spaces are arranged to allow direct access while clearly separating public and private functions. Treatment and examination rooms were designed with both children’s comfort and dentist ergonomics in mind. The use of colors and playful elements contributes to creating a positive experience for young visitors.

 

Material Palette

The choice of materials focused on durable and child-friendly surfaces. Wood, warm colors, and textures were combined with modern elements to create an environment that balances familiarity with hygiene and safety. The clinic takes advantage of its third-floor location to allow natural light to flood the interiors. The views toward the city create a sense of openness, while the interior layout reinforces feelings of calmness and protection.

 

Undoing typologies

The project concerns the renovation and expansion of a dental clinic, aimed at accommodating a greater number of patients. The clinic’s original area was 60m², while the final surface now reaches 85m².

 

Design Philosophy

The main concept was to create a space that conveys cleanliness, while simultaneously breaking the mold of typical medical spaces, as medical advancement should now be in harmony with architecture. The clinic features a comfortable waiting area, the central element of which is an oak table that visually extends into the office space and transforms into a workstation for the doctor. Vertical wooden elements frame the waiting area, with the wooden screens standing out as their arrangement subtly guides patients towards the examination rooms.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The office is enclosed by glass, designed with custom delicate vertical lines that ensure privacy while allowing light beams to enter, giving the impression of a constantly transforming space. Directly next to the office is the entrance to Examination Room 2, which is also internally connected to Examination Room 1 via a sliding door. For Examination Room 1, which was the new addition, a construction of vertical slats extends up to the ceiling, with dimmable LED strips placed in between at varying heights. This way, the patient’s experience -typically oriented toward the ceiling- changes radically.

 

Material Palette

The materials and tones used throughout, such as gray tiling and white-painted walls, play the most important role, as they allow continuous light reflection, resulting in a timeless space that radiates cleanliness.

 

Contrast and rhythm

The project is conceived as an immersive architectural project where experience and brand power converge. The ambition is to create not just an educational space for hair styling but a symbolic environment that reflects the values and identity of the company. Architecture here becomes a strategic tool, reinforcing brand presence through atmosphere, materiality, and spatial sequencing. The concept transforms education into a lived experience, highlighting the inseparability of design and identity.

 

Spatial Organization

The academy unfolds as a carefully structured environment where circulation, orientation, and visibility are designed to enhance engagement. Spaces are distributed to encourage interaction and participation, offering visual continuity between different programs. The sequence of spaces guides users through a journey, framing each moment as part of a narrative that communicates the brand’s values.

The building accommodates diverse functions: classrooms, laboratories, exhibition spaces, and gathering areas. Each program is integrated within a continuous flow, ensuring that learning, experimentation, and interaction coexist. The flexible layout allows for adaptation to different activities, supporting both individual focus and collective experience. Social spaces are interwoven with educational ones, reinforcing the sense of community.

 

 

Material Palette

The material palette was chosen to reinforce the immersive character of the project. Textures, colors, and finishes create atmospheres that resonate with the brand’s aesthetic language. Concrete, wood, glass, and lighting are used strategically to generate contrast and rhythm, enhancing both intimacy and monumentality within the academy.

 

 

Context Integration

Located in São Paulo, the Truss Academy is deeply connected to its urban and cultural setting. The project embraces the city’s energy and integrates it into an environment of learning and creativity. By merging architecture with brand identity, the academy becomes a landmark not only for the company but also for the city, demonstrating how design can shape cultural and educational presence in an urban context.

 

Spatial experiment

The project reflects Shanghai’s evolving urban culture. By creating a curated immersive environment, the café acts as both a neighborhood gathering place and a statement of global coffee culture. It connects the local context with international design trends, enriching the city’s cultural fabric.

 

Design Philosophy

The project was conceived as a commercial space that transcends traditional functions. Instead of a conventional café, it represents an immersive curatorial experience, where design, commerce, and community intertwine. The design emphasizes a new urban lifestyle -open, experimental, and centered around creative exchange.

The original building’s spacious design and rugged industrial features offered both challenges and opportunities for the project. Instead of using traditional walls, the design features low, wooden walls and modular display racks to create a space that feels both open and organized. The plant installations at the entrance and the creative exhibition square blend together, marking the start of the commercial transformation while also telling a cultural story. The space is designed to grow organically: the modular racks can be rearranged to update product displays, and the central area can be quickly changed into a conference or event space by moving the coffee cart and adjusting the seating. This flexibility is key to balancing the space’s function and aesthetic appeal.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The spatial concept blends circulation, display, and social interaction. Multiple levels of platforms and corridors connect seamlessly, allowing people to experience the café dynamically from different perspectives. The arrangement encourages movement, interaction, and exploration, making the space part café, part gallery, part social hub. Zones for coffee, exhibition, and creative workshops are integrated within a single cohesive narrative. Flexible furniture and modular installations allow the space to adapt to different events and activities. The functional design ensures both day-to-day café operation and the potential to host curated events or art showcases.

 

 

Material Palette & Sustainability

Natural textures like wood, stone, and metal are layered with experimental finishes. Contrasts of raw and refined materials reflect the blend of commerce and creativity. Lighting plays a key role, highlighting architectural gestures while shaping intimate atmospheres. Finally, the modular display systems and flexible plant arrangements make the space adaptable to seasonal changes, events, and the natural rhythms of the plants. This method goes beyond traditional design, giving the space the ability to adjust and stay lively. It’s sustainable not only because it uses natural elements to save energy, but because the design allows commercial activities to blend with the space’s natural flow.

 

Fluid integration

The residence has a built area of 300 m² on a 200 m² plot. The plan was designed for a social lifestyle, with fluid internal spaces and strong integration with nature.

 

Design Philosophy

Located on a street full of greenery in Jardim Paulistano, the residence represents well-planned contemporary architecture. The striking contrast between the floors defines the architectural aesthetic of the residence: while the ground floor is characterized by its transparency and spatial fluidity, the upper volume presents itself as a distinct monolithic block. This upper floor is surrounded by vertical Arkos slats that act as movable brises, concealing structural surfaces and modulating sunlight. This strategy goes beyond aesthetics, ensuring thermal balance, intimacy, and a unique identity.

 

 

Functional Layout

On the ground floor a large integrated social area unites kitchen and living room, opening to the garden through generous openings. Moving up on the first floor, two spacious suites ensure privacy and comfort. The penthouse is comprised of a versatile room and a sunny deck, offering views of treetops and becoming immersed in nature within the urban setting. Accessibility features include wide passageways and a lift, allowing long-term usability.

 

 

Material Palette & Vegetation

Durability and low maintenance guided the material choices. Specifically, porcelain tiles were used for the ground floor, while the exterior walls and floors were cladded with natural stone. Moreover, wood dominated the interior, used for the louvres, the panels and the joinery.

Lastly, the landscaping plays a central role. Tropical vegetation surrounds the house, creating privacy and a cozy atmosphere. A preserved pitangueira tree in the garage provides shade and respects natural heritage, while other species enhance integration with the urban landscape.

 

Intermediate transparency

The two-story residence was designed for a four-member family, with the aim of creating a modern, minimal, and functional space that integrates harmoniously into the Mediterranean landscape. The composition is based on clean geometric volumes and horizontal lines, with a strong emphasis on transparency and continuity between interior and exterior spaces. The combination of white surfaces, wood, and metal creates an ensemble of understated elegance and tranquility.

 

Design Philosophy

The residence offers a contemporary way of living that focuses on functionality and continuous contact with the natural environment. The architectural approach combines simplicity with the quality of light and space, creating a residential whole that meets the family’s needs.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The ground floor is organized around a central living area, where the living room and dining room are directly connected to the large terraces and garden. The kitchen, in contact with the main space, is supported by utility areas and connects to a covered veranda that hosts an outdoor barbecue. The interior layout follows the logic of an open plan, allowing for visual continuity and the flow of natural light. On the upper floor, three bedrooms and their corresponding bathrooms ensure the necessary privacy for the family members.

 

 

Materials and Lighting

Inside, natural textures and earthy tones dominate. The wooden flooring, leather furniture, and metal details in the staircase highlight the minimalist aesthetic and convey a sense of warmth. The subtle integration of lighting enhances the simplicity of the form and accentuates the clarity of the lines.

 

Preserved materiality

Near the iconic Pôr-do-Sol Square in the Alto de Pinheiros neighborhood of São Paulo, a couple with two daughters and a dog acquired a beautiful house with vaulted roofs, originally designed by modern Brazilian architect Ennes Silveira Melo and completed in the 1970s. The project adopts an approach that respects the existing geometry and materiality of the house, preserving its original character while incorporating new elements.

 

Renovation Strategy

Besides the geometry of the roofs, the house featured exposed concrete structural elements that needed updating to meet the new family’s needs. The residence required a redistribution of the layout, as the split-level organization limited the integration of living spaces. With this challenge in mind, the main intervention was relocating the kitchen, previously small and hidden on the intermediate floor, to the lower floor, thus integrating it with the residence’s social areas, including the TV room, barbecue area, and garden.

 

 

Functional Layout

On the intermediate floor, which serves as the entry level, there is a generous living room organized into two distinct environments. The first dedicated especially to musical practice, while the second is more intimate, featuring a fireplace and designed as a library for the residents’ literary collection.

On the upper level, the office visually protected by the canopy of native trees. A generous restored wooden sideboard runs along the entire lateral facade, adding a touch of elegance and functionality. Despite the spacious areas and different levels, the layouts designed to bring coziness and integration, providing visual permeability that allows each social environment to seen from different points in the house. Finally, a linear balcony is created to connect the bedrooms and shade the living room on the lower floor.

 

 

Materials & Lighting

Key decorative elements are the rugs along with the carefully selected furniture, combining new pieces with items from the owners’ collection. The upholstery follows the earthy palette of the furniture, including sofas and armchairs in caramel brown fabric and leather. The existing materiality marked by the wooden floor and concrete railing carefully restored as well as all the windows and doors.

The natural light that enters the space through the glass facade reflected by the vaulted roof and white walls, maximizing the interior’s brightness. On the bedroom floor, the original layout, which included one suite, two bedrooms, and one bathroom, updated to three suites. Skylights were installed in the new bathrooms, taking advantage of the original architecture’s structural modulation. In parallel, indirect lighting fixtures such as wall sconces and linear lights illuminate the curved roof.

 

Liquid stage

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

 

Design Philosophy

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

 

 

Materials & Furnishings

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

 

 

Outdoor Spaces & Amenities

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

 

Boundary as passage

“…Could it be that what conceals the forms is a kind of blurriness? And that it conceals them because it erases the contrast between light and shadow.”Ludwig Wittgenstein, Remarks on Colour, trans. P. Christodoulidis, Athens: G.A. Pneumatikou, 1987, p. 41.

Design Philosophy

The solidity of a boundary -a wall- and the passage from one space to another through a door is intentionally challenged. The boundary becomes simultaneously a threshold. It is lived time -the inhabitant’s experience- that activates and gives meaning to space. The distinction between spatial qualities dissolves. The curtain’s shifting positions introduce a nuanced complexity, forming a space of interaction, where relationships between adjoining areas unfold through the presence and movement of the inhabitants.

 

 

Functional Organization

The unexpected placement of the shower at the apartment’s entrance is offset by the use of semi-transparent glass blocks, a colored door, and a fluid, curved geometry. This boundary not only defines but also guides bodily movement through the space, as light diffuses into and out of adjacent rooms, subtly shaping spatial perception and flow.

 

 

Materiality & Geometry

The interplay of materiality and geometry generates a field that does not seek flexibility or multifunctional use but rather cultivates the qualities through which human relationships emerge. Natural wood, sandy textures, ochre hues, and glass are not aesthetic choices per se, but vehicles for a sensory engagement with space -one that unfolds through the materials themselves.

“I believe every idea ‘carries’ its own materials.”

Nikos Ktenas, Topographies of Living: I Believe, I Research, I Consider, from the lecture “Six Lectures on Dwelling”, Athens: School of Architecture, NTUA, 2014, p. 245.

 

Alternating surfaces

The project is an all-day bar-restaurant located on Evia’s Lake, in Greece. Its interior design combines classic and contemporary elements praising the building ’s neoclassical character.

 

Functional Layout

The interior space has a central arrangement with the bar at the back, and large openings on the façade, maximizing the view towards the lake. The building ’s original form guided the distribution of table seats. Various seating types occurred, from linear banquettes and booths to a central sofa element and free-standing chairs accompanied by custom made marble top tables with wooden frames. The exterior seating arrangement combines fer forgé chairs, striped patterned sofa cushions and wooden tables.

 

Design Philosophy

The goal from the beginning was to create a welcoming and atmospheric space recalling moments from the past. The concept draws inspiration from the Art Deco era, which is attributed through an abstract and modern approach. A significant design aspect that brings us back to the ‘20s in popular European capitals, is the black and white marble mosaic flooring with the marble skirting. The well-known pattern merged with the brightness of white marble pieces reminds us of traditional Parisian bistros.

 

 

Materials & Furniture

Marble is also carefully placed on the floor of the bar area, creating an elegant separation between bar and dining hall. The elements made of wood, the bright hues of the walls and flooring along with the dark green touches of the sofa and ceiling, the brass details of the lighting fixtures and the colorful vitraux, form a fresh palette of contrasts. The space is characterized by continuous alterations between smooth and embossed surfaces, sharp and curved forms, solid and transparent elements. Natural plants are integrated in the central sofa volume to add an overall summer feeling to the interior.

 

Coherent integration

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

 

Design Philosophy

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

 

 

Functional Organization

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

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

 

 

Landscape Design & Materials

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

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

 

Multifunctional layout

Within the building complex of Colgate-Palmolive’s factory and offices in Piraeus, the 55-square-meter top floor has been transformed into a lounge and break area for employees. This break room was created by repurposing a previously unused and inactive section, now reactivated through a thoughtful architectural intervention and its new designated function.

 

Design Philosophy

The space includes a shared kitchen, a bar-style counter, and amphitheater-style seating, forming a hybrid environment that bridges the gap between a traditional office and a casual relaxation area (such as a café or restaurant). This multifunctional layout accommodates a range of uses, from informal meetings and coffee or lunch breaks to short calls or even remote work sessions for both employees and visitors.

Prior to the intervention, the area partly served as a circulation zone between vertical movement axes (stairs and elevator), without any provision for pausing or staying. The remaining part housed a spacious office, occasionally used by external collaborators. The primary goal of the architectural design was to create a dedicated break area for Colgate-Palmolive’s staff -an inviting, collaborative space that fosters team spirit and strengthens communication among different departments.

The redesign of this break room seeks to revitalize a previously neglected area, transforming it into a dynamic hub for social interaction, relaxation, and flexible work. The design respects the existing structure while emphasizing natural light, quality materials, and ergonomic principles. The result is a space that enhances the sense of community within the workplace and offers employees a modern, welcoming, and multifunctional retreat during the workday.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The architectural concept was developed in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, a period when remote work had become the norm. As work models continue to evolve, the design aims to redefine how space and time are experienced in the workplace, responding to employees’ shifting needs throughout the day. The break room serves as a transitional, relaxing, and intimate space. Drawing from the familiarity of working from home, it offers a variety of settings to support different work modes. As a place of relief from the demands of daily tasks, the space is designed to support a sense of mental decompression. This is achieved architecturally through clean, minimalist lines, free of visual clutter, and further enhanced by ample natural light and materials that promote comfort -such as wood.

 

 

Materials & Custom Elements

The design incorporates a variety of seating options: bar seating for both standing and sitting, amphitheater-style seating for relaxed lounging, and a secluded single seat within the kitchen area. These options allow employees to personalize their break experience -whether they’re pausing briefly or settling in with a laptop for a longer stay- essentially bringing their workspace into the break room. The space is defined by a minimal, inviting, and vibrant aesthetic that balances functionality with contemporary design. Rather than erasing the existing environment, the new design works in harmony with it, using the current structure as a base for complementary rather than disruptive enhancements.

Key architectural features, such as the original red metal staircase and the bold blue window frames that define the building’s exterior, have been preserved and integrated into the new scheme. Against this backdrop, the design introduces balance by using white as a neutral canvas and incorporating dark blue in the flooring, metal shelving, and sound-absorbing panels that double as decorative wall elements. Warmth and a sense of familiarity are added through wooden finishes (on floors and cabinetry) and the use of earth-toned cushions and furnishings. A playful, refreshing touch is introduced through light blue tiles in the kitchen and bar areas -elements that serve both a practical function and contribute to the overall lightness and charm of the space’s “work zones.”

 

Organic geometry

The conceptual genesis of this residence lies in the symbiotic integration of architecture, landscape, and distant topography. The design process was initiated through a rigorous visual analysis -satellite imagery served to define critical sightlines to prominent landmarks including Leopoldskron Castle, the Leopoldskroner Pond, the Hohensalzburg Fortress, and the Untersberg massif. These visual axes informed not only orientation but the entire spatial strategy of the project.

 

Spatial Organization

The resulting plan unfolds as a fluid, organic geometry, articulated in three dimensions to choreograph both movement and view. The architecture is conceived not as a static object, but as a spatial instrument, curating a sequence of perspectives. Freely contoured, thickened window soffits function as calibrated visual filters -framing the sublime, obscuring the mundane, and thereby shaping a heightened awareness of context.

The composition comprises two elongated volumes, subtly shifted to generate a central void. This interstitial space is more than a void; it operates as a transitional threshold. At the entry point, the juxtaposition of the auxiliary and primary structures compresses space, guiding the visitor through a controlled contraction and expansion of spatial experience. The lower volume opens generously to the garden, revealing a sculptural water element and an exterior helical stair -both anchoring the outdoor environment and enriching spatial continuity.

At ground level, architecture and nature interlace. Carefully articulated geometries and a nuanced landscape strategy establish a domestic atmosphere of introspective openness, where interiors maintain visual and material continuity with the garden and distant horizon. Sightlines extend unimpeded from interior spaces toward the Leopoldskroner Pond and the alpine backdrop, weaving a layered experience of intimacy and vastness.

 

 

Landscape Design

The outdoor realm acts as both extension and intermediary -mediating between built form and natural terrain. A reflective water basin, aligned with the adjacent natural pond and subtly elevated, creates a visual dialogue of horizontal planes. The architectural promenade is enriched by the external spiral staircase, intensifying the spatial interweaving of vertical and horizontal flows.

The upper level sustains the project’s central ambition: a continuous interior-exterior reciprocity. Expansive terraces flank the living spaces, one oriented toward the panoramic tableau of castle, fortress, and pond; the other offering a more enclosed, contemplative experience. The circulation path defines a looping spatial sequence, binding interior rooms with their exterior counterparts through carefully placed voids and axial connections.

 

 

Material Palette

From a material and constructive standpoint, the residence employs a timber frame structure -precisely fabricated via CNC milling. The timber elements are clad in natural wood panels, while the building envelope incorporates high-performance insulation seamlessly integrated within the timber assembly. The façade is sealed with a polyurea coating -a durable, monolithic finish typically used in zoological applications, selected here for its tactile robustness and subtle, organic texture, resonating with the site’s rural and natural character.

This project embodies a quiet radicalism -where form is landscape, and architecture becomes a calibrated lens onto nature. It is a dwelling not merely in place, but of place, attuned to view, terrain, and the rhythms of light.

 

Disjointed architecture

The project involves the construction of a small preschool catering to children aged 0-6, as part of a larger initiative to revitalize a school complex in Macerata, in the district of Sforzacosta. With the aim of turning contextual constraints -such as a small plot of land and tight construction timelines -into opportunities, the project adheres to simple typological and construction characteristics.

 

Design Philosophy

The new building takes shape through a system of seemingly disjointed solids and voids, connected by a large, pitched roof that defines the footprint of the school and creates a series of threshold spaces between indoor and outdoor environments. The arrangement of three small, independent, and separate volumes, housing classrooms, offices, and facilities, creates a sequence of spaces with varied forms and proportions. The result is a porous system that seamlessly integrates with the garden through oblique views facilitated by changes in the roof section. The articulation of spaces becomes evident at transitional junctures, where the seamless flow between environments is highlighted. Within these “intermediate” spaces bridging the classrooms, various architectural elements -such as a striking portal, a skylight illuminating a double-height area, and a solitary column- emerge as focal points, inviting exploration and discovery due to their deliberate placement and size.

 

 

Spatial Layout

The building accommodates spaces for welcoming families, children, teachers, and educators, along with a music workshop, a sensory workshop for exploring smells and tastes, and a library. Within the same area, children can also share mealtime, as the facility is equipped with a fully functional kitchen. The structure is made entirely of wood. The walls of the internal volumes, as well as the entire façade perimeter, constitute the vertical structures constructed using the platform frame system. The transparency of the facades allows for the regular rhythm of the vertical supports to be visible from the outside. The setback of the facade, resulting from the rotation of the volumes, creates generous covered spaces that also contribute to the passive functioning of the building. Constructed with entirely recyclable materials, the project has a near-zero energy impact.

 

 

Social Impact

The new preschool is part of the school redevelopment project in Sforzacosta, stemming from a competition held in 2022. It’s a facet of an initiative led by the ABF Andrea Bocelli Foundation in collaboration with the Municipality of Macerata, aimed at addressing the shortage of educational spaces in the area. The project, comprising several phases, witnessed the completion of the preschool in 2023. The next phase involves the completion of the Educational Hub, which includes the renovation of primary school buildings and the gymnasium in 2024.

 

 

Harmonies and contrasts

The eight-story, 1800m2 building is undergoing a complete renovation and transformation into a modern, four-star city hotel with a total of 53 guest rooms. Designed to accommodate the high volume of tourists who pass through the Port of Piraeus, this project aims to offer an updated, comfortable, and stylish hotel experience that aligns with the needs of contemporary travelers.

 

Material Palette

In line with contemporary architectural aesthetics, materials are carefully selected to provide guests with a sense of warmth, intimacy, and luxury. Wood is chosen as the primary material, featured in the flooring and wall cladding of both the rooms and corridors on each floor.

To complement the wood’s natural appeal, sections of the interior room walls are covered in sound-insulating wallpaper in an off-white tone, creating harmony with the dominant wood elements. The lobby area, designed to feel open and inviting, is highlighted in white and finished using polished, pressed cement mortar.

 

Contemporary Aesthetic

Together with the wooden elements, the high aesthetic quality of the space is further enhanced. The hotel’s restaurant evokes the ambiance of a modern industrial bistro, where material choices and color palettes blend contemporary design trends with touches of vintage charm from past decades.

 

Façade Renovation & Sustainable Design

The building’s exterior façade preserves the original stucco, enhanced with black aluminum frames and architectural accents around each frame. The contrast between the white marble of the façade and the rectangular metal etalbond panels forms a striking, repetitive geometric pattern. In terms of infrastructure, modern mechanical systems have been installed to maximize energy efficiency, supporting environmentally conscious operations, which are essential in today’s world.

Multiple Traces

A residence and three undercut guesthouses were created on a hill with a strong slope and frequent strong winds, in Plakias in southern Rethymno, The main residence intended for the owners, was designed on the highest point of the plot. The three guesthouses were placed at the lower levels of the study area, with access from the road below.

 

Design philosophy and integration into the landscape

The main request was the orientation of the buildings in such a way that all areas have a direct view to Ammoudi Βay to the south-east and the sea to the south-southwest. The complete integration into the rocky mountain landscape and the creation of a sustainable building exterior, sheltered from the winds of the Cretan mountains, were also some of the main goals. The whole complex follows the same design philosophy and serves the same purposes. Fencing was avoided and additional plantings were kept to a minimum, allowing the local plants to “embrace” our intervention. The materials chosen are the local stone of the area and the mortar – wood in the same shades.

 

Excavations and composition of indoor-outdoor spaces

Μultiple axes were created following the contour lines of the site. Repeated at different levels, they created buildings, diazoms, pools, pergolas and retaining walls, simultaneously creating exterior and interior spaces, with different views and levels of privacy. The use of indoor and semi-enclosed atriums and gardens intensified the separation of zones with different levels of privacy.

 

Functional organization of the main house

The main house consists of two levels. Access is via stairs from the parking area to the east of the building. On this level, the living spaces are separated from the main bedroom and the auxiliary areas by two patios. From there, a staircase leads to the lower level of the house, where two bedrooms, a bathroom and a small living room are located. The outer spaces of the upper level are divided by a garden, into the courtyard areas of the master bedroom and the common areas. In them is located the swimming pool, the outdoor kitchen with dining and living areas. The spaces of the lower level, due to the external access to the courtyard spaces of the upper level, become autonomous. The design of the walls, combined with the slopes of the plot, make access to visitors and animals impossible, while the users are fully protected from the wind.

The three undercut guesthouses consist of living/day areas, and bedrooms with bathroom. There were designed autonomous pools and outdoor spaces as well. Also, they are placed at different heights ensuring unobstructed views and privacy.

 

Underground houses

The three underground guesthouses consist of living areas, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Externally, self-contained swimming pools and relaxation areas were designed. Also, they were placed at different altitudes, ensuring unobstructed views and privacy.

Revitalizing Cultural Heritage with Modern Architecture

A Landmark in Architectural History

The Goethe-Institut Athens is the oldest cultural institution of Germany abroad and serves as the administrative center for all Goethe Institutes in Southeast Europe. In 1982, it relocated to Omirou Street, occupying an 8-story office and classroom building with a total area of 4,629m², including two basements, a courtyard on the first floor, and a large event hall that can accommodate 350 people.

Seismic Reinforcement and Radical Renovation

Due to the necessary seismic reinforcement of the building, a comprehensive study was conducted for its radical renovation. This involved not only the deliberate structural strengthening with innovative mixed construction methods but also the complete modernization of the electromechanical installations, fire safety upgrades, full accessibility for people with disabilities, and the reorganization of functional spaces. An important aspect of the renovation was the “opening up” of the building to the city. To achieve this, the entire ground floor facade was transformed with large glass panels and vertical wooden louvers, inviting the public to explore its spaces day and night.

Functional Spaces and Accessibility

A central ramp axis connects the two levels of the ground floor, leading visitors to traverse the entire depth of the building from the main entrance and reception area, which extends to the library on the second level. The discreet presence of the cafeteria contributes to the space’s function as a public multipurpose area for casual and studious activities, emphasizing the cultural exchange character of the Institute. The libraries accompany visitors to the lower foyer, which is designed as another small multipurpose space, leading them to the renovated large event hall.

In the entrance reception area, a new wooden staircase, visible from the building’s facade, leads to the first floor, where a new multipurpose hall and the courtyard are located. The courtyard, with controlled shading and the possibility of focus, serves as an additional outdoor space for events, offering a peaceful green oasis in the bustling city center.

The office floors were completely transformed with transparent partitions, creating contemporary and well-lit workspaces that meet the new functional requirements.

Aesthetics and Integration

The atmosphere of the Institute is defined by the combination of the building’s evident technical infrastructure with the aesthetics of wood, colors, and carefully selected lighting. The discreet color scheme follows Goethe’s “Theory of Colors” and is reflected in the impressive lighting fixtures on the ground floor as well as the movable shading louvers on the facades.

Inviting Ambiance: Controlled Lighting for a Studious Environment

The differentiated and controlled lighting accentuates the inviting and studious ambiance throughout the spaces, especially in the expanded public areas on the ground floor, the first-floor multipurpose hall, and the courtyard, marking the Institute’s position within the urban fabric.

In the heart of Julian Alps, the old guesthouse Milka got a new life. The restaurant occupies the ground floor together with the outside terrace, offering gorgeous vistas over the Alpine Lake Jasna and the mountain ridge. The reception, one suite, and a private sauna are accommodated in the basement. Five elegantly equipped rooms occupy the other floors.

The concept of Milka is to offer a wholesome alpine experience, combining Slovene tradition with modern comfort at the highest level. The thread that connects everything is taken from the lake itself. Hilly, green, and wooded surroundings suggested the use of colors. The architectural approach relies on the use of quality, long-lasting materials stemming from local, Slovenian tradition: wood, metal, stone, offering a richly tactile experience every step of the way.

Milka now includes six new rooms, each with a unique character. One of the main goals was to provide every room with the view and experience of Milka’s amazing alpine backdrop. The interior uses the color palette of tones that change throughout the seasons, ranging from the blueish and green hues of the lake and the surrounding mountains in the summer to warmer tones of yellow and mustard found in autumn leaves, and the grey tones of the local limestone.