Architecture as a Pluralist Landscape

The project is conceived as a forward-looking architectural statement, aligning the company’s identity with its core values of innovation, technical expertise and long-term sustainability. Bringing together multiple entities with distinct fields of activity, the project articulates a sequence of spatial environments, each expressing an individual corporate character while remaining embedded within a unified architectural framework.

The design unfolds as a layered exploration of form, materiality and atmosphere. Rather than adopting a singular, monolithic identity, the headquarters is conceived as a constellation of environments, each defined by its own formal language, geometry and sensorial qualities, forming a cohesive yet plural spatial experience.

 

Design Philosophy

Within this framework, selected areas adopt a pop-art and postmodern vocabulary, drawing references from the expressive language of Ettore Sottsass and the Memphis School. Through the use of bold colors, graphic patterns and sculptural volumes, these spaces introduce a dynamic and playful spatial rhythm, fostering an environment of creativity and visual stimulation.

In contrast, other zones embrace a raw, industrial aesthetic, echoing contemporary workplace paradigms. Exposed structural elements, carefully calibrated lighting and a palette of honest materials define these environments, where functional clarity is balanced with atmospheric depth.

 

 

Spatial Organization

Complementing these expressive environments, several floors are conceived through a minimalist approach, where spatial restraint, controlled geometries and functional precision become the defining architectural principles. Here, the reduction of form allows for a clear reading of space, emphasizing proportion, light and the essential qualities of the built environment.

This juxtaposition of contrasting spatial languages establishes a dynamic internal landscape, where diversity becomes a key driver of the architectural experience, while coherence is maintained through careful compositional control.

 

 

Biophilic Integration

The project further incorporates biophilic environments, positioning nature and daylight at the core of the spatial composition. Generous planting, filtered natural light and the use of organic textures contribute to a sensorial connection with the natural environment, reflecting the company’s commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

Together, these distinct spatial conditions form a living, pluralistic headquarters – an architectural ecosystem where each entity inhabits a space aligned with its identity, while collectively contributing to a unified vision grounded in experimentation, innovation and the continuous redefinition of the contemporary workplace.

 

Sculptural outline

The project, with a total area of 24,000 m², involves the creation of an office complex and Media Campus in Kifisia, incorporating state-of-the-art television and radio studios.

 

Design Philosophy

The design is driven by the concept of sculpting a monolithic volume, carving out cavities and introducing porosity within a solid structure. Within this interplay of mass and void, the program unfolds, reflecting the client’s core philosophy: the shaping of a continuous flow of information. Much like water gradually erodes stone, the architectural form emerges as a constructed “nature.” The result is a dynamic, sculptural building defined by its strong presence, articulated through the use of limestone, complemented by aluminum, bronze, and wood detailing.

 

 

Spatial Organization

At the main entrance, a three-story-high “cavity” clad in linear wooden elements creates a striking threshold that welcomes visitors. The concept of carving extends into the interior, where a central, light-filled “canyon” is formed. Through the subtraction of volume, bridges connect the opposing office wings, while vertical voids allow natural light to penetrate deep into the building via a glazed roof, reaching even the lower levels. In plan, the building is organized in a horseshoe configuration, with office zones facing the central atrium. This permeable space extends across five floors and incorporates smaller atria and sculptural bridges, establishing visual connections between levels and enhancing transparency throughout.

Due to the site’s elevation differences, a secondary entrance is located at the rear, combined with access to the underground parking. This entrance leads directly to the studio level, where all media-related functions such as the newsroom, control rooms, and support spaces, are arranged on a single plane, forming a unified and operationally efficient media hub with direct access to the surrounding environment.

Landscape Design & Sustainability

The television studios, designed according to the same principle of porosity, are clad externally with perforated aluminum panels that are internally illuminated. During the day, they appear as solid metallic volumes in dialogue with the central atrium, while at night, light filters through their perforated surfaces, revealing a lighter, more ethereal presence and expressing the activity within.

The surrounding landscape is organized to accommodate both vehicular and pedestrian flows, as well as the operational requirements of the studios. At the same time, a series of outdoor green areas is introduced, offering spaces for relaxation and extending the workplace environment. These gardens incorporate seating areas within diverse planting zones, forming an urban green enclave that enhances the local microclimate – both within the building and its surroundings, including the integration of sky gardens.

The project adheres to the highest environmental and acoustic standards. The careful integration of the complex technical requirements – particularly those associated with studio functions – into the architectural design ensures a seamless dialogue between technical performance and spatial quality. As a result, the building maintains a coherent architectural language and a distinct, unified identity.

 

Shared core

The redesign of the Wealth Management department offices of a dynamic securities company in Athens presented an opportunity to upgrade employees’ everyday experience by improving the qualitative and functional aspects of their working environment. The offices occupy the ground floor of a six-story building dating back to the 1990s, where the existing condition served as the basis for a contemporary reinterpretation of the space.

 

Design Philosophy

A primary objective of the study was to provide sufficient workstations for a continuously expanding team, while also addressing needs for comfort, sound insulation, collaboration, and flexibility. The main challenge lay in accommodating a large number of users within a limited floor area, further complicated by the team’s hybrid working model.

The spatial organization is structured around an elongated, communal “core,” which functions as the main axis of circulation and activity. This core incorporates workstations, a lounge area, storage units, and auxiliary functions, while the more private workspaces are arranged around it. These include offices of varying capacity, an executive office, a meeting room, and supporting spaces such as a kitchenette and WC.

 

 

Material Palette

The dissolution of rigid boundaries is achieved through the use of glass partitions, enhancing visual continuity and reinforcing the perception of the space as a unified environment. At the same time, the “stripping back” of the building envelope – through the removal of suspended ceilings and the exposure of the structural and mechanical systems – introduces an aesthetic of honesty and industrial clarity.

In contrast to the exposed structural elements such as concrete, metal, and visible installations, the material palette is enriched with warm and tactile qualities: woven vinyl flooring in sandy tones, natural walnut veneer surfaces, upholstery fabrics with subtle color accents, and integrated greenery. The result is a balanced composition between technical austerity and spatial warmth.

 

 

Lighting & Acoustic Design

Lighting design played a crucial role, given the uneven distribution of natural light within the ground-floor space. Through a combination of direct and indirect artificial lighting, adjustable shading systems, and specialized window films, a balanced luminous environment is achieved while minimizing glare.

At the same time, acoustic comfort is ensured through the use of sound-absorbing materials, such as perforated surfaces, fabric shades, and specialized flooring, contributing to a calm and productive working atmosphere. Guided by the principles of clarity, transparency, and honesty, the project shapes a multifaceted and flexible workspace that encourages interaction, supports concentration, and enhances the overall daily experience of its users.

 

Constellation of volumes

An existing 40-year-old office building is stripped back to its primary structure and comprehensively reinterpreted to respond to contemporary workplace demands. The initial massing logic is recovered and clarified, transforming what was once a fragmented and visually inconsistent assemblage into a cohesive composition. The building is rearticulated as a constellation of twelve distinct volumes, each defined by its own cladding strategy and spatial atmosphere, establishing a new architectural identity rooted in differentiation and clarity.

 

Intervention Strategy

The intervention operates through a process of subtraction and redefinition. By removing non-essential layers, the original structural framework is revealed and reorganized, allowing the building’s inherent geometry to be legible once again. The front façade adopts a restrained material palette, articulated through subtle tonal variations of white, grey, black, and gold. A newly introduced curtain wall defines the primary elevation, while a sequence of cast-in-place terrazzo steps establishes a clear and generous entrance gesture.

In contrast, the rear elevation embraces a more expressive and playful language. Individual volumes are distinguished through color and material differentiation: a pale turquoise-clad elevator core, a striped black-and-white staircase punctuated by yellow window frames, a pink-rendered service core, and blue metal-clad office spaces. This chromatic distribution extends throughout the building, generating a dynamic interplay between interior and exterior surfaces.

 

 

Spatial Organization & Environmental Strategy

The building is reoriented to engage more directly with its adjacent natural park, introducing new openings within previously opaque façades. These interventions enhance visual connectivity while significantly improving daylight penetration, addressing the limitations of the original low ceiling heights.

At roof level, a landscaped green roof is combined with a circular pergola, forming a sequence of outdoor workspaces and social areas. These elevated spaces accommodate informal gatherings, events, and moments of exchange, extending the program beyond the conventional office environment.  

Sustainability is integrated as a core design parameter. The project incorporates high-performance insulation systems, energy-efficient glazing, locally sourced materials, and low-energy mechanical systems. Additional features include photovoltaic panels, electric vehicle charging stations, and bicycle parking, contributing to the building’s A+ energy efficiency rating.

Material Palette

The interior design negotiates between preservation and transformation. Existing black marble flooring is restored, while suspended ceilings are removed to expose the raw concrete structure and its irregular formwork. This juxtaposition of refined and unfinished surfaces establishes a consistent material language across all levels.

Each floor is further differentiated through bespoke architectural elements and furniture interventions. These range from sculptural marble seating installations to a vivid red perforated metal library and expansive shared worktables. On the ground floor, a generous red terrazzo staircase operates simultaneously as circulation and as an amphitheatrical space for events, linking to a luminous mezzanine above.

 

Central Square

The redesign of the company’s administrative building not only enhanced its functionality but also revitalized its image to align with modern working standards. The renovation resulted in expanded office space, upgraded air conditioning, and lighting systems geared towards enhancing comfort and optimizing the facilities.

 

Design Objective

Built in 2007, the building initially failed to accommodate the company’s growing demand for office space. Consequently, management opted to renovate all office areas, a total of 7000m2, to meet the organization’s expanding needs. The study was developed with the aim and the vision of crafting a design proposal befitting a pioneering company, while also prioritizing the quality of the working environment it offers to its employees.

The design incorporated suggestions from employees who had participated in recent projects, fostering a collaborative approach. These suggestions included creating spaces conducive to relaxed discussions, facilitating work outside the office environment, and fostering an atmosphere that encourages freedom in work and, consequently, in thought and creativity. At the same time, the objective was to establish a welcoming atmosphere that prioritizes comfort and versatility in the space, catering to the employee’s varying needs. Additionally, the design aimed to offer an escape from conventional routines by incorporating interactive elements within these spaces.

 

Architectural Concept

Taking into consideration all the programmatic modifications, the architectural concept revolves around freeing the “dark centre” and replacing it with a vibrant “heart.” This central space offers a multitude of functionalities, fostering personal expression and creativity for every individual. By cultivating an accessible, intimate, and inviting environment, the design promotes innovation and collaboration, while staying aligned with contemporary trends as well as the new generation entering the workplace. The concept’s originality lies in elevating public spaces and reimagining the “square” -drawing reference from the Renaissance period- as the “heart” of the city. Embracing the Greek character, the local “language” and lifestyle led to the architecture being conceptualized around the notion of the Greek square.

 

Open Layout

The building’s core unfolds to integrate meeting rooms in a dynamic arrangement, emphasizing diagonal positioning and prioritizing transparency. Within this space, circulation spaces intertwine with refreshment areas, break rooms, seating sections as well as an open kitchen. The “square’s” public nature is accentuated by natural elements, such as a tree-sculpture, fostering a sense of openness and drawing people together for communal interaction. The building’s original architectural structure was preserved.

The design leverages its existing geometry as the foundation for the proposal’s distinctive diagonal pathway, which breathes new life into the previously enclosed centre. Central to this design is the triple-height atrium, around which the remaining structure revolves, facilitating the vertical diffusion of natural light throughout the space. The proposal’s strength lies in the abundant natural light entering the space, illuminating the building’s core, while also flowing through the central space and the transparent perimeter, bathing all floors in its glow.