Set on an olive-covered slope overlooking the quiet bay of Ampelaki in Meganisi, Amphitheatro Boutique Hotel by ATENO Architecture Studio transforms two existing stone houses into a small contemporary hotel. The intervention retains the character of the original buildings while introducing new shared spaces, shaded areas and a completely redesigned landscape.

The two independent stone volumes had previously been connected by an irregular corridor. Their interiors were fully reorganized to accommodate six guest rooms alongside the necessary reception, kitchen and storage areas. Rather than erasing the existing structures, the design introduces a series of restrained additions that soften their geometric severity and establish a closer relationship with the surrounding landscape.

 

 

Connecting two existing volumes

A metal canopy in an earthy tone bridges the two stone buildings, creating a sheltered central area with an outdoor kitchen. The new element establishes a shared zone between the existing volumes while remaining visually distinct from the original masonry.

In front of it, the swimming pool becomes the focal point of the courtyard. Nearby, a curved built-in seat unfolds beneath a circular canopy, introducing softer geometries into the composition and counterbalancing the rigid lines of the stone buildings.

These additions establish a new architectural vocabulary between the two existing houses. Metal, plaster and timber are introduced alongside the local stonework, while their muted tones maintain the visual continuity of the ensemble.

Shared spaces and private courtyards

The outdoor areas were redesigned entirely and organized across three levels. At the centre, the main courtyard functions as the shared heart of the hotel, bringing together the pool, outdoor kitchen and shaded sitting areas.

Around it, smaller outdoor spaces serve the ground-floor rooms as private courtyards. The arrangement allows collective life and retreat to coexist within the same composition, offering guests places to gather as well as more secluded areas in direct contact with the landscape.

The relationship between these different levels of privacy is central to the project. The hotel is not organized around a single communal space, but through a gradual transition from shared areas to increasingly private settings.

 

 

A material palette rooted in the landscape

The selection of materials seeks to anchor the intervention within its setting. Earthy colours and subdued tones are applied to the metal surfaces, plaster and timber, complementing the existing stone walls.

The intervention avoids strong contrasts between old and new. Instead, differences in geometry, texture and construction distinguish the contemporary additions while allowing the two original buildings to remain the principal elements of the composition.

The architecture is conceived as a quiet background to the experience of the place. The changing light, views towards the sea and the movement of the surrounding trees remain the dominant features of the hotel.

Through a limited series of additions and landscape interventions, Amphitheatro Boutique Hotel gives new use to the existing structures without diminishing their relationship with the site. Shared courtyards, shaded thresholds and private outdoor rooms transform the two stone houses into a small hospitality complex shaped around the experience of the landscape.

 

Originally published in ek magazine 299 | July–August 2025.

ek magazine is organizing an event honoring the architect Yannis Kizis (Kizi Studio) at the SNFCC on Friday, December 11, 2026, under the auspices of the Hellenic Institute of Architecture.

Yannis Kizis is a Professor Emeritus at the NTUA School of Architecture with a long-standing creative career and currently directs the architectural office Kizi Studio together with Constadis Kizis, Associate Professor at NTUA. His extensive and high-quality work includes a wide range of architectural creation (public and private buildings, modern interventions and extensions to historical buildings, restoration of monuments, etc.) and is distinguished and multi-awarded in Greece and internationally. Being one of the most important architects of his generation, he was active both in Greece and abroad, adorning the urban and suburban landscape with high-quality architectural works. His work includes buildings of various typologies and scales, as well as urban regeneration studies. The presentations of the event speakers will attempt to highlight his significant contribution to modern Greek architecture, architectural education and culture.

The event speakers are:

– Panayotis Tournikiotis, Professor Emeritus NTUA, President of HIA

– Panayotis Tsakopoulos, Architect NTUA, researcher, author

– Nelly Marda, Architect, Professor Emerita NTUA

– Dimitris Thomopoulos, Dimitris Thomopoulos Architects, Assoc. Professor AUTH

– Tilemachos Andrianopoulos, Tense Architecture Network, Assoc. Professor NTUA

– Panagiotis Grammatopoulos, G-P Architects

– Manolis Vournous, M+V Architects

– Nikos Vatopoulos, Journalist, author

– Yiorgis Yerolymbos, Photographer, architect NTUA

– Costandis Kizis, Kizi Studio, Assoc. Professor NTUA

 

• Bronze Sponsor: LG Electronics
• Sponsors: Alumil 
• Supporters: Domiki Papanikolaou, Koligas Wood Essence

The most cherished architectural celebration in the city returns this year, as an online event. The OHA 2021 program, includes 20 videos that will premiere from June 24^th to June 27^th, and will remain available on the Open House Athens YouTube channel; further, the program includes one livestream event, one 3d virtual tour and many competitions for the audience!

The program, in a nutshell:

LIVESTREAM | June 24th

https://www.openhouseathens.gr/event/livestream/

Registrations: here.

 

OPEN OFFICE | premiere June 25^th

Guided tour in five architectural offices in Athens: Workshop | Dionisis Sotovikis, Bobotis + Bobotis Architects, R|C|TECH, Tsolakis Architects, Aristides Dallas Architects.

 

3D Virtual Tour | premiere June 25^th

A virtual tour in Workshop | Dionisis Sotovikis

 

VIRTUAL TOURS | premiere 26/6

Virtual tours in 10 contemporary buildings in Athens, on the Open House Athens Youtube channel. Featured works: Cosmote HQ & TV Studios by LC Architects, Apartment in Faliro by Plaini and Karahalios Architects, Penthouse in Vouliagmeni by Synama, Ogarden Suites by A31 Architecture, HOUSE E by Burger Katsota Architects, Obliquity by Gavalas Architects, The den by Studiomateriality, NBG Insurance by Mario Botta, SPARCH (Rena Sakellaridou & Morpho Papanikolaou), House in Politia by A & O Architects, Villa 13 by Parthenios architects+associates.

More info: https://www.openhouseathens.gr/event/virtual-tours/

 

MADE IN ATHENS | premiere June 27^th

Guided tours in creative spaces in Athens. The videos will be uploaded on the OHA 2021 webpage and will remain available on the Open House Athens Youtube channel.

Participants: Alexandra Bissa, Tind, Alexia Kokkinou Bookbinding, Sektor30, Stratis Tavlaridis.

 

Competitions:

 

OPEN YOUR PORTFOLIO | June 7^th – July 16^th

Win a scholarship at Vakalo Art&Design College for undergraduate design studies. The scholarship covers the academic year 2021-22 (€7.000) and may be extended to the full BA cycle (€19.000) on merit and achievement. More information: https://www.openhouseathens.gr/event/open-your-portfolio/

FABER OPEN PHOTO | June 24-30^th

Photography competition on Instagramm with the hashtag #faber_oha2021.

More information: https://www.openhouseathens.gr/event/open-photo/

ISOMAT OPEN VOTE | June 25^th-July 7^th

Win a Fujifilm instax mini 11. by voting online at the Open Office, Virtual Tours and Made in Athens categories. More information: https://www.openhouseathens.gr/event/open-vote/

 

Follow the Open House Athens YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/openhouseathens-2014