Japanese Aesthetics in Contemporary Athens

The Darya J Hotel is a contemporary hospitality destination in Athens, where the principles of Japanese aesthetics are translated into a refined architectural experience. Rooted in ideas of simplicity, balance, and material authenticity, the project establishes an atmosphere of calm and understated luxury within the dense urban fabric of the city.

Shared Spaces, Courtyard and Rooftop

The shared spaces are organized around a sense of continuity and flow, connecting the lobby, bar, and breakfast area with a landscaped outdoor courtyard featuring planting and a swimming pool. On the mezzanine level, flexible co-working spaces are introduced, while the rooftop hosts a bar with a jacuzzi, offering panoramic views over Athens.

Rooms, Suites and Spatial Transitions

Across five floors, the hotel accommodates 34 rooms, including four suites. The spatial organization is defined by clarity of form and fluid transitions between functions. In selected rooms, elevated sleeping platforms and partition elements inspired by traditional Japanese noren curtains create a contemporary interpretation of Japanese domestic space.

Material Authenticity and Crafted Details

Materiality plays a central role in the design language. Warm cherry-toned timber, Volakas and Cretan marble, natural textures, and bespoke surface treatments compose interiors with a strong tactile presence and timeless character. Custom lighting elements, flush details, and carefully crafted junctions reinforce a sense of harmony and precision throughout.

A Shoji-Inspired Façade

The architectural identity of the building is expressed primarily through its reimagined façade, inspired by traditional Japanese shoji screens. Vertical metal fins and perforated metal elements act as filters of light and privacy, introducing depth, rhythm, and a constantly shifting perception of the building envelope. At night, linear architectural lighting accentuates the geometry of the composition, strengthening the building’s presence within the urban landscape.

Calmness, Material Sensitivity and Atmosphere

The Darya J Hotel approaches hospitality as an experience defined by calmness, material sensitivity, and carefully composed atmosphere, where Japanese philosophy meets contemporary Athens.

A Holiday Residence in the Landscape of Apokoronas

In Kokkino Chorio, in the Apokoronas area of Crete, this holiday residence is set on a gently sloping plot with expansive views toward Souda Bay, the city of Chania, the Thodorou islands and, in the distance, the Spatha peninsula. To the south, the landscape opens toward the Apokoronas plain and the White Mountains, while to the north it looks toward the Akrotiri peninsula and the Cretan Sea.

Designed for a large family, the house is positioned relatively centrally within the site, set back from the main road to the east and kept at generous distances from neighboring plots. This placement conceals much of its volume from the street, allowing the residence to reveal itself gradually as one moves through the plot.

Three Volumes Across Three Levels

The residence is organized as three volumes distributed across three levels: a basement, a ground floor partially embedded in the natural terrain, and an upper floor. The central volume contains the main living areas, while the northern and southern volumes accommodate the more private parts of the program.

Rather than appearing as a single large object, the house is broken down into a sequence of volumes, courtyards and terraces. This strategy allows a residence designed to accommodate up to 16 people to remain closely connected to the topography and landscape, reducing its visual impact despite its considerable size.

Arrival Across Water and a Double-Height Living Space

Visitors enter from the upper level, crossing a bridge over an artificial lake located to the east of the residence. At the ground-floor level, this water element becomes a waterfall, shaping a more private entrance courtyard accessed by car.

Inside the central volume, the upper level includes a lounge with a bar and billiards area overlooking the main living room below. This double-height space connects the two levels visually, while a staircase oriented toward the eastern courtyard and waterfall reinforces the relationship between interior movement and the presence of water.

Bedrooms, Living Areas and Panoramic Views

On the upper floor, two corridors to the north and south lead to four bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom, while also accommodating a WC and laundry room. On the ground floor, the main living room, dining area and kitchen are arranged around the central volume, with corresponding corridors leading to four additional en-suite bedrooms.

The living and dining areas open toward the western courtyard with the swimming pool and panoramic views in all directions. Through an internal courtyard, the kitchen maintains visual relationships with both the pool and the rear courtyard with the waterfall, reinforcing the continuous dialogue between interior and exterior life.

Courtyards, Pool and Outdoor Living

Between the volumes, two courtyards structure the outdoor experience. The northern courtyard includes an outdoor dining area and kitchen with barbecue, while the southern courtyard features a water element connected to the pool. This water overflows into a lightwell, creating a waterfall within a rock garden at basement level.

The immediate outdoor spaces are organized as extensions of daily life: a large courtyard leading to the pool in front of the central volume, a seating area with an outdoor fireplace to the north, and a sunbathing area with loungers to the south. The house is therefore conceived around the Cretan continuity between inside and outside, where domestic life moves fluidly through shaded, open and water-cooled spaces.

Stone, Concrete and Framed Horizons

The building is constructed from reinforced concrete and stone masonry. Taller walls framing the roofs are clad in local stone, and through their form and position they alternately connect or separate the different spaces of the house.

The northern and southern volumes are identical in size and shape, yet their openings differ according to orientation and view. Each frames a distinct landscape condition: the open sea in one direction and the White Mountains in the other. Architecture becomes a device for selecting, measuring and intensifying the surrounding horizon.

A Large Family Residence with Reduced Visual Impact

Although the residence spans a considerable area, its partial integration into the terrain, alignment with the natural contours, distribution across three levels and separation from the ground through the prominent waterfall all help reduce its scale within the landscape.

The house is barely visible from the main road and only gradually appears as one approaches within the site. Beyond the building itself, interventions are limited to the immediate outdoor areas, allowing the Cretan landscape to embrace the courtyards rather than be overwritten by them.

Living with the Cretan Landscape

Each position within the residence offers a different relationship to the landscape: the White Mountains, olive groves and villages of Apokoronas; sunsets behind the Thodorou islands; the city of Chania; Souda Bay; the Akrotiri peninsula; and the open sea. At the same time, there is no visual contact with the main road to the east, preserving the sense of retreat.

The house creates a gradient of privacy, from the bedrooms to the playrooms in the attic and basement, while supporting a way of living in which indoor and outdoor life can merge for most of the year. In this sense, the residence is less a detached object than an inhabited sequence of views, courtyards, water and stone: a Cretan setting for family life shaped by the idea of carpe diem.

A Top-Floor Apartment Reopened to Light

In Vouliagmeni, Athens, D Flat by Virginia Malami transforms a top-floor apartment open on three sides into a clearer and more luminous domestic interior. In the existing layout, the living areas were oriented in a single direction, leaving the depth of the apartment underlit. The renovation opens the plan from end to end, allowing daylight to travel the full 14.5 metres of the interior from morning to evening.

The project establishes a renewed relationship between active shared spaces and quieter private rooms. Rather than treating the apartment as a sequence of separate rooms, the redesign introduces a continuous spatial order, balancing openness, privacy and the changing presence of light throughout the day.

Three Longitudinal Zones

The plan is organized into three longitudinal zones: a living zone, a central service and infrastructure zone, and a sleeping zone beyond. This division creates a contrast of tempo and atmosphere. The common rooms remain open and flexible, designed to host everyday life in different forms, while the bedrooms are more serene and contained.

The middle band becomes the threshold between these two conditions. It gives thickness to the plan, defines transitions and holds the more technical parts of the apartment, allowing the living areas and bedrooms to retain a sense of calm and clarity.

An Oak Spine for Domestic Infrastructure

At the center of the project is a continuous oak construction that runs along the length of the apartment. It is both furniture and space, a precise architectural element that gathers almost everything newly introduced by the renovation into one continuous system.

The oak spine contains the kitchen, entry coat storage, concealed bedroom doors, a utility cabinet with washing machine, WC, bookshelf and media cabinet. By consolidating these functions, the rest of the plan remains open and uncluttered. A continuous linear light follows the length of the element, turning it after dark into the apartment’s protagonist: an illuminated spine that gives the new program a single, unmistakable presence.

Material Continuity Through Marble and Oak

The material strategy is based on continuity rather than replacement. The existing beige Ioannina marble was preserved as a datum, while new oak was introduced in dialogue with the apartment’s earlier wood presence.

Together, marble and oak create a measured rhythm along the plan through pattern, joints and repetition. Red-and-white striped awnings were also reintroduced, echoing the original elements and carrying their graphic presence into the renewed apartment.

Reuse and Spatial Memory

Reuse forms an integral part of the project’s approach to sustainability and to the respect of what was already there. Where new marble was required in the kitchen after removing parquet, the material was sourced from the demolition rubble of a nearby renovation.

This decision reduces waste while extending the life of an existing material by giving it a new role within the apartment. The renovation therefore works not only with new elements, but also with fragments of material memory that are absorbed into the project’s contemporary organization.

Greek Atmosphere and Swiss Precision

D Flat also reflects the architect’s own trajectory. Raised within a Greek cultural context, with its particular relationship to light, materials and everyday outdoor living, and architecturally formed in Switzerland, where precision and functional clarity are fundamental, the project brings these two registers together without hierarchy.

Local atmosphere and familiar domestic cues are paired with a Swiss-inflected discipline of organization, concentrated infrastructure and concealed transitions. The result is an apartment that feels calm and usable, while retaining a strong relationship to its setting and history.

New Life for an Inherited Apartment

The renovation also acknowledges the personal history of the apartment, which is set within a structure originally built by the architect’s father. Its existing character and spatial memory are treated as material to be worked with, sharpened and carried forward rather than replaced.

Ultimately, D Flat is a project of alignment: plan with sun, new work with existing matter, and contemporary life with inherited character. Through a continuous oak spine, preserved marble and carefully organized light, the apartment is transformed into a calm and precise domestic interior.

A Courtyard House Shaped by Urban Constraints

In Baghdad, Shatt Al-Arab House by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos is conceived from the limitations of its site. Located at street level on one of the city’s busiest avenues, the plot is defined by the geometry of the surrounding urban fabric and by the need to create privacy, openness and domestic calm within a dense metropolitan condition.

The brief called for a residence that would bring together a daytime living area, two nighttime rooms and a space for physical exercise. Given the limited size of the plot, the most immediate strategy would have been to build vertically, freeing part of the site for a garden. Instead, the architects chose to occupy the entire plot with an extensive single-storey volume.

A Horizontal Strategy for a Compact Plot

The decision to work horizontally allows the house to establish a different relationship with the exterior. Rather than concentrating the program in a compact vertical form, the project expands across the site and connects with outdoor space in two distinct ways.

The first is a perimeter garden, which acts as a filter between the house, the avenue and the surrounding streets. The second is a central circular courtyard, which becomes the main open space of the residence and the organizing element of the entire plan.

The Circular Courtyard as the Center of the House

The central courtyard gathers the more public and open areas of the house around it. In one direction, it creates a sequence of indoor and outdoor spaces that begins and ends in the perimeter garden, allowing the interior to extend visually and physically across the full depth of the plot.

This spatial sequence is defined by four glass boundaries that can be fully retracted along the side walls. When opened, they create a hybrid condition between interior and exterior, transforming the house into a continuous open space that stretches from one end of the plot to the other.

Perimeter Garden, Privacy and Retractable Boundaries

The perimeter garden plays a dual role. It protects the house from the intensity of the surrounding urban context, while also allowing each space to remain connected to greenery and natural light. As a boundary, it is not a hard separation, but a planted threshold that mediates between domestic life and the city.

The retractable glass enclosures reinforce this sense of permeability. They allow the living areas to change character according to use, climate and time of day, expanding the domestic interior into the garden and courtyard whenever needed.

Night Rooms, Service Cores and Spatial Clarity

In the opposite direction from the main open sequence, the two primary nighttime rooms are positioned with a more controlled relationship to the exterior. These rooms open only toward the perimeter, ensuring privacy while maintaining contact with the garden.

At the four corners of the house, enclosed cores concentrate the service areas. This clear distribution frees the central and perimeter spaces, giving the plan a precise organization in which open, private and service zones are carefully balanced.

A Rooftop Oasis Above the City

The roof completes the spatial composition of the house. Accessed by an internal staircase, it is conceived as an elevated oasis defined by a series of boundaries. On the outer edge, the vegetation of the garden provides privacy from the city.

On the inner edge, a sheet of water crowns the circular courtyard below. One side of this water element becomes deeper, allowing it to be used for bathing. The roof therefore extends the logic of the house vertically, creating a final outdoor space where vegetation, water and enclosure form a protected domestic landscape above the street.

 

A Contemporary Café in the Alpine Borderland

In Tarvisio, a town shaped by its position between Italy, Austria and Slovenia, Caffè Nazionale reopens as a contemporary space of gathering and social interaction. Designed by Elisa Mansutti Architetto, the project brings back to life a name deeply rooted in the town’s collective memory, reinterpreting it through a language of arches, timber, marble and greenery.

Tarvisio lies within a border landscape defined by exchange, transit and arrival. Located between the peaks of the Julian Alps and the Tarvisio Forest, the café draws on this condition of passage and encounter, translating the forms and materials of Alpine tradition into a refined interior for everyday use.

Reinterpreting the Historic Café

The project occupies a large vacant retail unit along the town’s main street, fully glazed toward the exterior and internally structured by a sequence of existing columns. Rather than treating these columns as constraints, the design incorporates them into a rhythmic architectural system that organizes the entire space.

The result is an interior that balances openness and intimacy. The café remains visually connected to the street, while its internal composition introduces a more layered sequence of spaces, allowing different forms of use to coexist throughout the day.

Arches as Permeable Thresholds

The first design gesture was the transformation of the existing columns into a wall articulated by a continuous series of arches. Beginning at the entrance, this arched sequence extends across the length of the interior, filtering the space and establishing a clear spatial rhythm.

The arches distinguish the bistro area from the more intimate lounge without fully separating them. Regular and measured, they operate as permeable thresholds: architectural elements that suggest division while preserving visual continuity and movement.

A Modular Fir Wood System

At the rear of the café, a fir wood backdrop recalls the native tree species of the Tarvisio region. Warm and tactile, this wooden system separates the service areas from the public space, while introducing a material presence directly connected to the surrounding Alpine landscape.

The system is based on a 60 cm module. Vertical timber elements clad the walls and define open shelving for the display of wine bottles. Following the same rhythm, they extend upward into the ceiling, becoming beams and panels that integrate the lighting system. Walls, furniture and ceiling surfaces are therefore linked through a continuous modular order.

Green Marble and the Operational Heart of the Café

The counter forms the operational heart of Caffè Nazionale. Designed in an L-shaped configuration with a central island, it brings together materials that evoke the Alpine environment: fir wood and green marble.

The layout provides generous work surfaces, a raised ledge for quick service and direct access to the basement and staff areas. Functional clarity is combined with material intensity, making the counter both a working element and a visual anchor within the café.

Lounge, High Table and Scenic Greenery

Along the glazed façade, a wooden bench runs parallel to the windows. Upholstered in green leather padding, the seating reinforces the material palette of the interior while offering a comfortable place to linger. Heating elements are integrated behind slatted timber panels, preserving visual continuity while allowing warm air to circulate.

In the lounge area, a large high table in marble is fixed to the floor as a sculptural presence. Solid yet refined, it transforms the area into a place dedicated to conviviality. At the back of the lounge, a raised linear planter clad in glossy green ceramic tiles introduces a living backdrop, bringing the presence of the surrounding landscape into the interior.

Flexible Hospitality for Different Moments of the Day

The layout is designed to support multiple uses, structured around the rhythmic sequence of arches that divides the café into two main zones: the bistro and the lounge. Each area can host different activities while maintaining a coherent overall atmosphere.

From morning breakfasts and brunches to afternoon aperitifs and evening live music, the café can adapt to changing social and cultural programs. The combination of modular elements, open plan and adaptable furniture allows Caffè Nazionale to remain inviting and functional throughout the day.

Alpine Materials and a Renewed Local Identity

The project begins from the existing marble flooring, characterized by shifting tones between forest green and deep reddish brown. This material base informs a wider palette that reinterprets the Alpine context: fir wood for walls and ceiling structures, green expressed through marble, glazed ceramic tiles and textured plaster, and living vegetation completing the composition.

Through these elements, Caffè Nazionale becomes more than a renovated hospitality interior. It is conceived as a place of encounter and identity, in constant dialogue with the town, its landscape and the memory of Tarvisio as a borderland of movement and exchange.

A 1970s Apartment Reimagined Through Curved Geometries

In Glyfada, Grozopoulos+Associates undertook the complete renovation of a 100 sq.m. apartment dating from the 1970s. The original residence carried the typical spatial and material characteristics of its period: separated rooms, standardized layouts, parquet flooring, mosaic surfaces and a fragmented domestic organization.

The owners requested a full redesign that would transform the apartment into a contemporary and welcoming residence, suitable both for private use and short-term rental. Rather than erasing the memory of the existing interior, the design upgrades the apartment according to the needs of contemporary living, while preserving traces of its original atmosphere and material character.

Reorganizing the Plan for Contemporary Living

The renovation involved a significant reworking of the apartment’s layout. The positions of the bathroom and kitchen were exchanged, the corridor was opened up, and the floors and finishes in the kitchen, bathroom and WC were fully replaced.

This reconfiguration allows the apartment to function with greater clarity and fluidity. The former segmentation of the plan gives way to a more open domestic sequence, where the main living areas are visually and functionally connected.

Curves as Spatial and Functional Devices

The central design gesture is the introduction of curved geometries throughout the apartment. These curves appear in the ceilings, in fixed furniture and in movable elements, establishing a consistent spatial language across the residence.

Rather than operating only as a formal motif, the curves also organize the interior. They integrate lighting, soften transitions and define functional zones with subtlety, giving the apartment a sense of continuity without relying on rigid divisions.

A Green Marble Bar-Counter as a Focal Point

The unification of the kitchen, dining area and living room is organized around a linear bar-counter clad in deep green Indian marble. Positioned as both a focal point and an everyday functional element, the counter anchors the open-plan living space.

The natural stone, with its distinctive color and depth, introduces a sense of understated luxury. It is balanced by the wooden surfaces of the new kitchen and by the restored parquet flooring, creating a dialogue between new interventions and the apartment’s existing material memory.

Restored Parquet and the Continuity of Material Memory

The original herringbone parquet was carefully restored and sealed, allowing it to function as a timeless surface that connects the apartment’s past with its new identity. This decision was guided not only by aesthetic and historical considerations, but also by sustainability.

By preserving and reusing the existing floor, the intervention significantly reduced the need for new materials. The restored parquet becomes both a visual foundation and a subtle reminder of the apartment’s former life.

Earthy Tones, Organic Forms and an Urban Retreat

The material and color palette is composed of soft, earthy tones, warm off-whites, natural and dark wood, with stronger accents introduced through furniture and selected details. Contemporary lighting fixtures, furniture, artworks and decorative objects with organic forms reinforce the apartment’s overall character.

Through curved geometries, natural materials and contemporary lines, the renovation establishes a balanced relationship between old and new. The apartment is transformed into a flexible and refined living environment: a quiet urban retreat shaped by clarity, warmth and restraint.

A Midcentury Modern Home Reimagined in Alexandria

Located at the end of a cul-de-sac in Alexandria, Virginia, the Menachery Residence by MODE4 Architecture transforms a midcentury modern developer home into a more expressive, functional and enduring family residence. Framed by mature perimeter trees, the property benefits from a canopy that provides privacy and shade, grounding the house within its natural setting while allowing it to retain a confident presence in the neighborhood.

The project began as a radical rethinking of the existing house. Select portions of the original structure were retained in order to direct resources toward new construction, while much of the previous envelope was replaced after proving structurally unsound. This process allowed the architects to introduce a taller roofline and an entirely new massing composition, giving the residence a renewed architectural identity.

New Massing, Taller Roofline and Vertical Rhythm

The added height of the new roof enabled the vertical tower elements to be integrated within a broader and more cohesive form. Instead of appearing as isolated volumes, these elements now participate in a unified architectural composition, where proportion and rhythm shape the overall character of the house.

A key reference for the design was the visual movement of musical notes across a staff, inspired by the clients’ teenage daughter, who is a pianist. This idea informed the project’s vertical rhythm, producing a composition that feels carefully structured while retaining a lyrical quality.

 

A Contemporary Court-and-Garden Sequence

The first floor introduces a formal foyer, office, dining room, pantry with wet bar, powder room, mudroom, family room and a new three-car garage with integrated storage. The main stair anchors the plan, organizing the sequence from the driveway court to the double-height foyer and onward toward the rear garden terrace.

This spatial continuity reinterprets the traditional court-and-garden typology within a contemporary suburban context. Arrival, movement and domestic life are treated as parts of a single architectural experience, where the house opens gradually from the street-facing court toward the more private landscape at the rear.

A New Upper Level for Family Life

The second floor extends the program with a primary suite and attached bath, connected to the first level by its own private stair. The upper level also includes a bridge, secondary family room, guest suite, laundry, powder room and storage areas.

A new wing extends from the main house to form an L-shaped plan, strengthening the dialogue between structure and site. This configuration balances openness, privacy and flow, allowing the house to accommodate family life with greater spatial clarity.

 

 

Quiet Modernism Through Restraint and Precision

Through proportion, restraint and clarity of form, the Menachery Residence reflects MODE4 Architecture’s Quiet Modern ethos. The project does not treat renovation as surface renewal, but as a deeper transformation of structure, sequence and identity.

Calmness is achieved through precision rather than excess. The familiar language of the midcentury suburban home is reworked into a more timeless architectural composition, where massing, movement and family life are brought into careful balance.

Urban Housing Around Open-Air Courtyards

Located in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Southeast Portland, Brookland Apartments by Hacker proposes a residential model shaped around light, air, greenery and everyday contact with the outdoors. The 166-unit, five-storey building reintroduces natural connections within a dense urban setting, using a sequence of open-air courtyards to bring planted outdoor space directly into the life of the apartments.

A Residential Framework for Well-Being and Community

The project is conceived as a framework for well-being and community. Rather than treating circulation as a purely functional requirement, the building organizes movement around exterior walkways, planted thresholds and shared outdoor spaces. These courtyards operate as collective “front yards,” lined with seating, planters and vine-covered pathways, while also extending outward to form terraces along the building perimeter.

 

Bright Interiors and Shared Amenities

Inside, the apartments are designed with restraint and clarity. The residential mix includes micro studios, studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom units, supported by communal amenities such as a ground-floor lounge, coworking space, fitness center, sauna and rooftop commons. Simple, bright interiors, calm colors and natural textures create a measured contrast with the warmth of Western red cedar and the dense planting of the courtyards.

Natural Light, Fresh Air and Dual Orientation

A key aspect of the design is the relationship between private units and shared outdoor space. Each apartment is planned to maximize access to natural light and fresh air, with openings toward the internal courtyards as well as views toward the surrounding neighborhood. This dual orientation reinforces the connection between domestic life, collective space and the wider urban context.

 

Open-Air Circulation and Western Red Cedar

The 127,500-square-foot building uses its open-air circulation to encourage informal encounters between residents. Walkways and stairs line the courtyards, creating moments of contact and visibility across the building. Western red cedar surfaces wrap the outdoor voids, adding visual warmth on Portland’s cloudy days and offering a tactile, natural counterpoint to the building’s scale. Vine-covered trellises provide shade and texture along common paths, while planting softens the experience of moving through the complex.

Terraces, Rooftop Commons and Urban Well-Being

On the upper levels, the courtyards open toward terraces, expanding the sense of connection to the neighborhood. The rooftop commons further extends this social and environmental agenda, offering residents sunlight, views and shared outdoor space within the city. Mechanized parking stackers improve parking efficiency, allowing more of the site to be dedicated to housing and shared amenities.

 

Nature, Community and Density as One Strategy

Through its combination of compact living, generous communal areas and carefully integrated greenery, Brookland Apartments explores how urban residential architecture can support everyday well-being. The project turns circulation, courtyards and terraces into active spatial elements, creating a housing environment where nature, community and density are not treated as opposing conditions, but as parts of the same architectural strategy.

 

 

A Retail Interior Conceived as a Journey

Located in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Travelmar Kaohsiung by FLOAT DESIGN STUDIO transforms a multi-brand luggage store into a layered spatial narrative, where travel, craft and local memory converge. The flagship space is dedicated primarily to Globe-Trotter, the historic British luggage brand founded in 1897, whose handmade cases are known for their distinctive combination of strength and lightness.

The design draws from Globe-Trotter’s visual language — curves, quarter-circles and arches — and reinterprets it through the urban and material context of Kaohsiung. Rather than creating a neutral retail environment, the project establishes a dialogue between brand identity and place. The result is a store that operates not only as a commercial interior, but as a spatial metaphor for departure, movement and return.

Globe-Trotter, Kaohsiung and the Language of the Arch

Kaohsiung’s history as a port city plays a central role in the concept. The image of ships arriving in the city is translated into a spatial system inspired by its gridlike urban fabric. This modular logic informs the display platforms, which can be joined, staggered or stacked according to different retail needs.

At the same time, the warm red-brick palette refers to the city’s material heritage, including its historical production of red brick and the brick-arched structures of the nearby British Consulate at Takao. The arch becomes a shared reference between brand and city: a form associated with Globe-Trotter’s rounded luggage details, but also with the architectural memory of Kaohsiung.

A Street-Front Façade with Red Brick Hues

The façade extends this narrative into the street. As a street-front store, Travelmar uses its exterior as a first gesture of invitation. The storefront is slightly recessed to form a soft diagonal corner, allowing passersby to perceive the depth of the interior while moving through the surrounding arcade.

Red brick tones, curved forms and arched elements distinguish the store from its urban context, while the floor pattern and color gradient draw the eye inward, toward the angled counter and the staircase beyond. From exterior to interior, the curved geometry establishes a sense of continuity, turning the threshold into the beginning of a spatial journey.

Modular Retail Displays Across Three Levels

Inside, the ground floor is dedicated to Globe-Trotter and uses arcs and arches to reinforce the brand’s flagship presence. The second and third floors are conceived with greater flexibility, offering adaptable platforms for other brands.

Lightweight partitions, galvanized panels and reclaimed components introduce a rawer material character, while natural wood elements create a tactile dialogue with the displayed products. The result is a retail environment that can shift according to different collections, without losing the coherence of the overall spatial language.

 

Light, Circulation and Urban Layering

A key challenge of the long, narrow plan was the limited daylight at the rear of the store. To address this, partitions were removed and the stairwell was opened, allowing natural light from the third floor to filter downward through the interior.

Ceiling fixtures follow a grid-like arrangement, echoing the structure of the city while providing a steady rhythm of illumination across the different levels. This light-guided circulation helps visitors move through the store intuitively, as if following a runway or urban route.

A Layered Interior Landscape Inspired by Kaohsiung

The project’s spatial composition is built through layering. Platforms, shelving and display elements stack, shift and interlock, creating an interior landscape that recalls the vertical density of Kaohsiung.

Adjustable modules allow the store to accommodate changing collections, while staggered arrangements break the rigidity of linear display. Visitors move through the space as if through a compact urban field, where changes in height, direction and material produce a continuous sense of discovery.

A Cultural Port for Contemporary Travel

Travelmar Kaohsiung is ultimately conceived as a cultural port: a place where international craftsmanship meets the memory of the city. Through its red-brick hues, arches, modular displays and light-guided circulation, the store frames retail as an experience of movement.

Each suitcase becomes the beginning of a story; each step through the space suggests both departure and return. In this sense, the project transforms the luggage store into an architectural narrative about travel, memory and place.

Architectural gestures

Located in a quiet neighborhood of Palaio Faliro, this small-scale 1950s house is reapproached through a series of restrained and precise architectural gestures. The project seeks to preserve the domestic identity and spatial memory of the existing shell while adapting it to the demands of contemporary everyday living.

 

Spatial Organization

The original layout of the residence is largely maintained, with selective interventions enhancing functionality and spatial flow. The central design gesture is the reconfiguration of the kitchen, which transforms from an isolated, enclosed room into an open core of daily life. Its extension toward the entrance reinforces the continuity of the interior, while its relationship with the living area is organized through the framing of the existing opening, allowing visual connection without fully dissolving the separation between functions.

 

 

Reintegration of Existing Elements

Rather than disconnecting the house from its past, the intervention seeks to creatively incorporate traces and elements of its previous life. The decorative plaster ceiling moldings are preserved as carriers of memory, while the original kitchen sink is restored and repurposed within the bathroom, acquiring a new function in a different spatial context. The residence thus becomes a field of continuity, where old and new coexist without resorting to nostalgic imitation.

 

 

Material Palette

The material palette follows a calm and tactile logic, shaped by natural textures, earthy tones and clear geometries. Wood acts as the primary element of warmth and continuity throughout the interior, while the stainless-steel kitchen countertop introduces a subtle contemporary tension within the otherwise restrained composition. In the bathroom, the relationship between refinement and rawness is reinforced through materials that reference exposed concrete and rougher flooring surfaces, intensifying the tactile experience of the space.

The project approaches the idea of an “urban holiday house”: an intimate domestic environment where simplicity, material honesty and spatial clarity coexist with a subtle sense of nostalgia. Without attempting to replicate the past, the design seeks to carry its traces into the present, allowing the house to evolve while preserving its distinct character.

 

House of Curves

The residence is a 240m² interior shaped by softness, light and material continuity. Conceived as a calm domestic environment, the project unfolds through fluid transitions and a muted palette, creating a home that changes subtly throughout the day.

 

Design Philosophy

The client, co-owner of a leading fashion brand, wanted the residence to reflect her lifestyle and memories of Mediterranean journeys. References to nature, gentle landscapes and Southern European architecture informed an interior defined by flowing lines, restrained tones and carefully selected natural materials.

Curves become the central design language of the project, appearing in architectural elements, built-in furniture, window niches, countertops and finishing details. More than an aesthetic gesture, these rounded forms diffuse light, soften spatial perception and create an atmosphere of quiet continuity.

 

 

Spatial organization

Achieving this sense of openness required a substantial reorganization of the house, including the reconstruction of the staircase, the opening of the living area and the elimination of sharp corners. At the center of the composition stands a sculptural staircase, designed as a fluid volume rising through the interior. Its asymmetrical form, rounded solid-wood treads and winding balustrade emphasize the precision of the craftsmanship, while connecting adjacent areas such as the study and play zone.

The main living area combines a spacious lounge with an open kitchen and concealed storage. A fireplace is integrated into a long multifunctional unit that also operates as seating, while rounded shelves, subtle ceiling moldings, warm wood tones and crisp white surfaces reinforce the project’s soft minimal character.

 

 

Material Palette

The bathrooms are conceived as private relaxation zones, inspired by spa interiors and Mediterranean serenity. Monolithic bathing areas, recessed alcoves, freestanding bathtubs and walk-in showers are framed by soft geometries and handmade glazed tiles, whose irregular surfaces create delicate variations of light and shadow.

Rounded countertops with integrated basins, hidden shelving, minimalist linear drains and concealed fixtures strengthen the clarity of the design while preserving everyday functionality. Wood, linen, stone and microcement form a tactile material palette, unified by shades of white and grey.

The project stands out through its formal consistency and quiet boldness. Rather than imposing itself, the interior builds character through precision, calm and continuity, creating a home that invites return.

 

Architecture in the in-between

The “Polikatikia” is located on the island of Karpathos and consists of six family residences. The project approaches dwelling within the island landscape not as a strictly typological exercise, but as a complex field where morphology, topography and the everyday experience of the Mediterranean climate collectively shape a unified architectural system.

 

Landscape Integration

The arrangement of the six residences is organized through a series of overlapping volumes that shift and subtly rotate, disrupting the strict orthogonality of the conventional apartment building. The composition evokes an initially solid mass that gradually appears to fragment, separate and split into distinct spatial elements.

These geometric displacements operate not only as formal gestures but also as environmental mechanisms, generating intermediate voids, shaded areas, natural light penetration, outdoor extensions and visual openings toward the landscape. The staircase is positioned precisely within the “in-between” void created by the displacement of the volumes, transforming this transitional space into the primary vertical connective tissue of the complex.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The architecture seeks to reinforce the relationship between interior and exterior space, following the principles of Mediterranean living. Large openings and the horizontal development of the primary volumes allow the living spaces to extend outward toward the landscape, creating a sense of spatial continuity with light, air and views toward the sea.

The transitional outdoor areas function as intermediate climatic zones, providing shade, protection from strong winds and different spatial qualities throughout the day. Through this compositional approach, the residence is not perceived as an isolated object, but rather as part of a continuous experience of place and climate.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The internal organization of each apartment is structured around three distinct functional zones. At the center lies the “service core” containing the auxiliary and wet areas, naturally illuminated and ventilated through light wells, enhancing both comfort and environmental performance.

The living spaces, including the living room, dining area and kitchen, are arranged toward the north, directly oriented toward the sea views and surrounding landscape. In contrast, the bedrooms are positioned on the southern side, protected from strong winds while benefiting from natural light.

The overall composition seeks to translate the particularities of island dwelling into a contemporary architectural language, where building, climate and landscape operate as interconnected components of a unified spatial experience.

 

Dissolving into the landscape

Located within a residential development on the outskirts of São Paulo, the project was conceived as a residence where architecture, landscape and everyday life operate as a unified spatial experience. It responds to a site bordered by a golf course and an artificial lagoon, establishing a careful dialogue between built form and the surrounding environment.

Rather than emphasizing monumentality, the design strategy seeks to fragment and soften the scale of the residence. The house develops primarily across a single horizontal plane, while secondary technical spaces and recreational functions are discreetly concealed within a lower level. This organizational approach allows the architecture to remain visually grounded within the landscape, reinforcing a sense of continuity with the terrain rather than imposing itself upon it.

 

Spatial Organization

The residence is structured around a central planted courtyard filled with native Atlantic Forest vegetation, transforming nature into an active spatial nucleus rather than a peripheral backdrop. This internal garden mediates circulation, light and visual continuity throughout the house, while simultaneously reinforcing the atmosphere of retreat and privacy that defines the domestic experience.

The program includes four bedrooms, expansive living areas and entertainment spaces organized around carefully framed views toward the surrounding landscape. The spatial composition privileges openness and fluidity, allowing interior and exterior environments to overlap continuously.

A generous covered gallery occupies the most privileged edge of the plot, overlooking both the lagoon and the golf course. In response to the Brazilian climate and its strong culture of outdoor living, this semi-exterior space becomes the social heart of the residence. Inclined concrete partitions regulate western sunlight, reducing heat gain during the afternoon while preserving visual openness and airflow.

 

 

Material Palette 

Material restraint and geometric clarity define the architectural language of the project. Concrete surfaces, controlled proportions and elongated horizontal lines establish a calm and cohesive architectural identity, while the interplay between solid partitions and open voids generates constantly shifting conditions of light and shadow.

The elevated swimming pool extends directly from the main living level, visually merging with the adjacent lagoon through reflective continuity. Its infinity edge creates a cascading effect toward the lower ground, transforming the pool into both an infrastructural and sculptural element within the composition.

The bedrooms, positioned toward the front garden, establish a quieter domestic zone where vegetation operates simultaneously as privacy filter and environmental mediator. Large openings reinforce the inhabitants’ connection with nature while maintaining controlled intimacy from the street frontage.

 

 

Construction

An essential dimension of the project was the collaborative relationship established between architect, clients and construction team. Specifically, the successful realization of the house depended largely on the owners’ commitment to preserving the integrity of the architectural vision throughout the construction process.

Despite geographical distance, the coordination between the architectural office and the construction company remained continuous and highly collaborative. This ongoing exchange enabled the project to maintain coherence from concept to execution, resulting in a residence where the built outcome closely reflects the precision and atmosphere of the original design intent.

 

Interconnected space

The project consists of two interconnected interventions: the restoration of a 1920s Cretan stone residence and the addition of a contemporary vertical extension, together forming a unified family home. Originally built as part of the refugee housing settlements of the early twentieth century, the existing structure represents a characteristic example of vernacular domestic architecture, now reinterpreted through a contemporary architectural language that allows the building to regain visibility and presence within the urban fabric.

 

Restoration Strategy

Rather than concealing the traces of the original dwelling, the intervention embraces the existing stone shell as a bearer of memory and spatial identity. Elements of the historic residence are preserved and incorporated into the new architectural composition, particularly within the lower level where the shared living functions are organized. Century-old details remain visible throughout the interior, contributing to an atmosphere that balances familiarity, permanence and subtle nostalgia.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The new extension is constructed through a lightweight metallic structural system combined with a timber roof and an additional loft level. The design approach seeks to establish a coherent architectural dialogue between the permanence of the original masonry structure and the lighter contemporary intervention. Clean geometric volumes, semi-transparent surfaces, generous ceiling heights and a restrained material palette contribute to an environment defined by spatial clarity and continuity.

 

 

Spatial Organization

Within the upper levels, where the private sleeping quarters are located, the architectural composition explores variations in height and section to introduce spatial complexity and moments of openness. The shifting interior volumes generate a sense of lightness and optimism, reinforcing the experiential quality of everyday domestic life. The result is a residence where restoration and contemporary addition coexist without hierarchy, producing a unified architectural narrative grounded equally in memory and transformation.

The Company Highlighted an Integrated Cooling Portfolio and Strategic Partnerships Designed to Maximize Data Center Efficiency and Performance

LG Electronics presented its comprehensive cooling solutions for AI Data Centers (AIDCs) at Data Center World 2026 in Washington, D.C., from April 20 to 23. The global exhibition, focused on data center and infrastructure technologies, showcased LG’s integrated AIDC cooling portfolio, underlining the company’s capabilities as a provider of end-to-end cooling solutions.

 

Complete Direct-to-Chip Cooling Lineup for AI Workloads

At DCW 2026, LG introduced its Direct-to-Chip (DTC) cooling lineup for data centers, utilizing liquid cooling technologies to address the high thermal density and power demands of AI workloads. The cooling plate incorporates a skived-fin structure to optimize coolant flow and efficiently manage the heat generated by high-performance chips. The 1.4 MW Coolant Distribution Unit (CDU) combines a compact design with LG’s advanced control and sensor technologies, supporting stable operation and improved energy efficiency through an inverter pump system.

LG also presented its Computer Room Air Handling (CRAH) system, which integrates high-efficiency fans and EC motors, as well as an Air-Cooled Chiller with a centrifugal compressor (ACC), expanding coverage from server-level cooling to full facility infrastructure cooling.

 

Partnerships in Immersion Cooling Systems

LG is expanding its portfolio with immersion cooling systems through partnerships that address the growing cooling requirements of high-density AI environments. The lineup includes immersion cooling tank systems developed in collaboration with U.S.-based Green Revolution Cooling (GRC), as well as cooling fluids jointly developed with SK Enmove, a provider of premium base oils and lubricants. These solutions immerse IT equipment directly in dielectric fluid, enabling more stable cooling performance even in high-heat environments.

 

Advanced Monitoring and Operational Capabilities

To complement its hardware offerings, LG is strengthening its control and operational capabilities through its Data Center Cooling Management (DCCM) system. The software enables integrated, data-driven monitoring and control across complex cooling infrastructures, including CDU, CRAH and ACC systems.

DCCM supports continuous operation through early anomaly detection and diagnostics based on virtual sensors. It enhances risk management through predictive maintenance, while real-time optimization based on IT workload conditions can improve operational efficiency. Its 3D visualization capabilities allow operators to monitor system status and manage data center operations more effectively.

Maximizing Compute Power per Megawatt™

Beyond cooling technologies, LG also highlighted software and power infrastructure solutions aimed at improving data center efficiency and increasing overall computing capacity. Among them is an AI-based workload orchestration platform developed by PADO, a company incubated through LG NOVA.

Acting as an intelligent “energy-aware compute orchestration” platform for data centers, the system analyzes IT, cooling and power infrastructure through a multi-physics digital twin and reinforcement learning to deliver real-time operational adjustments. For example, it can shift power from idle servers to systems managing more demanding AI workloads, supporting up to a 25 percent increase in utilization.

Jointly Developed DC Grid Solution to Improve AIDC Power Efficiency

LG also introduced a Direct Current (DC) Grid solution for data center operations, developed in collaboration with LS Electric, LS Cable & System and LG Energy Solution. The DC Grid solution reduces energy loss by minimizing the power conversion stages common in traditional Alternating Current (AC) systems, where approximately 25 percent of energy can be lost as heat.

The solution enables core data center equipment, including chillers, to operate directly on DC power, reducing initial power loss to approximately 15 percent.* When combined with renewable energy sources such as solar power, the rate can be reduced to as low as 10 percent. The result is improved energy efficiency that can contribute to lowering overall operational costs.

“AI data centers require advanced cooling technologies, but they also demand more integrated approaches to power and operations,” said James Lee. “LG will continue expanding its AIDC cooling capabilities, delivering solutions that improve performance and support greater energy efficiency.”

Visitors to DCW 2026 were able to explore LG’s latest AIDC solutions – including the DTC cooling lineup, immersion cooling tank systems, integrated DCCM software, PADO’s AI-based workload orchestration platform and the DC Grid solution – at the company’s booth (#416, Walter E. Washington Convention Center) from April 20 to 23.

 

* Testing was conducted under specific conditions, and results may vary depending on testing environments and operational conditions.

Linear volume

Conceived as a continuous linear volume that bends and unfolds across the site, the Courtyard Office organizes its program around a large internal garden that becomes the social and environmental core of the project. The building’s geometry creates a porous workplace environment where circulation, landscape and workspace remain in constant visual dialogue, fostering openness, interaction and environmental comfort.

 

Spatial Organization

The office develops sectionally between two and four levels, allowing the building mass to respond dynamically to orientation, climate and circulation requirements. At the southwest and northeast edges, the volume lifts from the ground plane, enabling prevailing south-westerly breezes to move naturally through the internal courtyard and enhancing passive cooling throughout the complex.

Additional lifted corners at the northeast and northwest ends generate generous double-height volumes that accommodate shared collective functions, including a cafeteria and a library. These spaces establish visual continuity between floors and encourage informal interaction across different departments and working environments.

The primary circulation spine traces the perimeter of the courtyard, maintaining constant visual contact with the landscape while connecting the office floors. Workspaces are arranged along the outer edges of the building envelope, opening toward planted gardens and benefiting from natural light and framed exterior views.

 

 

Climate-Responsive Design

The geometry of the building was carefully developed to maximize environmental performance. Its longest facades are oriented toward the north, ensuring consistent indirect daylight across the office interiors throughout the day. On the remaining elevations, angled louvers filter sunlight while directing views and light northwards, minimizing heat gain and reducing the building’s overall energy demand.

Natural ventilation strategies are embedded directly into the architectural form. The lifted ground conditions, landscaped courtyard and sectional variation collectively generate airflow through the building, creating comfortable internal conditions while limiting dependence on mechanical cooling systems.

 

 

Design Philsoophy

Drawing inspiration from the spatial logic of traditional Indian courtyard houses, the project reinterprets the courtyard not merely as an outdoor void, but as an active climatic and social device. Open and enclosed environments alternate throughout the complex, creating a varied sequence of volumes, orientations and atmospheres that support different modes of work and interaction.

The result is a workplace environment where architecture and landscape operate as a continuous system, balancing environmental efficiency with spatial diversity and human experience.

 

Levitating mass

The house is located in a quiet rural area, with one floor above ground and another dug into the earth. Featuring imposing black pigmented concrete, the design is centered around three main masses, creating a balance between open spaces and solid structures. The transparent central volume serves as the heart of the building, while the surrounding landscape plays an integral role in shaping the living experience.

 

Design Philosophy

The lower floor contains a large, excavated courtyard, which acts as a central gathering space. The central mass, over 5m high, offers clear views of the entire site. On either side, two long, parallel masses extend across the lot, reinforcing its length and creating a balanced composition. These masses penetrate the central structure, giving the appearance of floating concrete beams that stretch outward, enhanced by differences in the roof heights.

A floating bridge made of reflective stainless steel connects the entrance of the house across the courtyard, offering a clear view of the interior spaces. The path leads through a shallow reflecting pool, revealing the private areas of the house that are not visible from the street. This bridge also creates a visual link between the two long masses that extend through the structure.

 

 

Functional Organization

The upper floor includes the main living spaces, with a large living room, kitchen, dining area, and family rooms. The master suite features a walk-in closet, bathroom with a shower inside a reflecting pool, and a bedroom with views of the garden. A staircase made of dark natural stone leads to the lower level, where the wellness and leisure spaces are located, enhancing the flow between the levels.

The lower floor accommodates an indoor pool, gym, spa, cinema room, and a hospitality area, including a bar and wine room. Additional spaces for supporting functions, such as a laundry room and staff quarters, are also located here.

On the opposite side of the house, a large, landscaped garden includes a soccer field, pool, outdoor kitchen, and living areas, designed to support various social and recreational activities.

 

 

Material Palette

The house features clean, modern lines with black concrete facades, fiber-c cladding, and large glass openings. Dark natural stone flooring is complemented by blackened brass details. The design emphasizes an illusion of levitation, where the contrast between solid concrete and floating masses is achieved through roof disconnection and transparent elements.

 

Timeless contemporary living

Located in the heart of Kolonaki, the 115m² apartment renovation reinterprets classical interior architecture through a contemporary spatial narrative. Rather than imposing contrast, the proposal establishes continuity between inherited decorative elements and modern living conditions, preserving ornamental ceiling moldings, wall paneling and symmetrical proportions while introducing a calmer, more minimal architectural vocabulary. The intervention approaches the apartment as a layered spatial composition where historical references and contemporary clarity coexist in balance.

 

Design Philosophy

The project positions itself within a contemporary neo-classical framework, where proportion, material permanence and spatial coherence become the primary design tools. Existing architectural details are neither concealed nor replicated nostalgically; instead, they are carefully reframed within a restrained interior atmosphere that prioritizes rhythm, tactility and long-term relevance over temporary stylistic gestures.

Dark timber wainscoting introduces depth and visual grounding throughout the residence, while curved travertine surfaces soften transitions between spaces and generate sculptural movement within the plan. Herringbone wood flooring reinforces the apartment’s refined domestic character, establishing continuity across the different living zones. Minimal kitchen surfaces and integrated detailing maintain spatial calmness, allowing materials and proportions to define the architectural experience. Artworks and sculptural objects are positioned as integral spatial components rather than decorative additions, contributing to the composition of each room.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The organization of the apartment is defined by flexibility and controlled permeability. Folding partitions composed of metal frames and fluted glass operate as transitional thresholds between the living room, dining area and kitchen. These movable boundaries enable the interior to alternate between openness and privacy without interrupting the continuity of natural light or visual connection.

The spatial arrangement avoids rigid separations, instead supporting changing patterns of everyday habitation through adaptable configurations. Circulation unfolds organically through layered thresholds and framed visual axes, while the interplay between transparency and opacity creates a dynamic relationship between collective and private functions within the residence.

 

 

Material Palette

Materiality functions as the central architectural language of the project. Travertine surfaces, dark wood textures and muted tonal palettes establish a tactile environment rooted in permanence and restraint. The bathroom spaces continue this material dialogue through vertically articulated stone textures and contrasting dark timber cabinetry, maintaining consistency across the apartment’s interior identity.

Furniture selections further reinforce the sculptural quality of the spaces, introducing rounded geometries and soft forms that balance the architectural rigidity of the classical envelope. Lighting is integrated discreetly throughout the project, emphasizing texture, curvature and depth while preserving the calm atmospheric quality of the interiors.

Through a careful negotiation between preservation and reinterpretation, the project proposes a residential environment where contemporary domesticity unfolds within the enduring framework of Athenian neo-classical architecture.

 

Varying context

Located in Ílhavo, Portugal, the project unfolds as a single-storey residence that seeks to reconcile the programmatic requirements with the specific characteristics of the site. The plot is situated within an area that currently remains undeveloped along its periphery, though it is expected to undergo significant residential growth in the near future. Within this transitional context, the residence attempts to establish from the outset a clear relationship between private living and the surrounding landscape.

 

Functional Organization

The decision to resolve the entire program on a single level transforms the outdoor space into an integral component of the architectural composition. The remaining green areas are not treated as residual space, but rather as active elements of everyday habitation and the overall spatial organization of the house.

The arrangement of the volumes gradually defines the spatial hierarchy of the residence. As movement progresses deeper into the site, the spaces acquire an increasing sense of privacy and seclusion. Architecture employs the positioning and geometry of the volumes as tools for organizing daily life, creating a clear transition from the more public to the more protected functions.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The architectural proposal is structured around two distinct volumes, differentiated both formally and functionally in response to the specific content of the program. These volumes are strategically positioned on the site in order to maximize solar exposure, establish controlled relationships with the surroundings and frame the outdoor spaces.

At the same time, the openings and incisions of the façades allow for controlled natural light while reinforcing the continuity between interior and exterior space. In this way, the residence develops a constant visual and functional extension toward the landscape, integrating greenery into the spatial experience of the interior.

 

 

Material Palette

The form and materiality of the project draw reference from the region’s traditional constructions, reinterpreting familiar architectural elements through a contemporary compositional language. Clean volumes, inclined surfaces and a restrained material palette compose an architecture that engages with the local building tradition without resorting to mimicry.

The use of zinc surfaces, natural timber and bright neutral materials throughout the interior reinforces the understated character of the residence, while simultaneously introducing durability and timelessness to the composition. Light is treated as a primary architectural tool, shaping interiors defined by calm atmospheres and subtle variations of illumination throughout the day.

The result is a residence articulated with clarity and economy of means, transforming the relationship between built and unbuilt space into the central core of the architectural experience.

 

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, wood and glass are the dominant construction materials. As the threshold between interior organisation and the external environment, the facade 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 highlight the importance of facades in architecture, -through their own work as well as selected projects by other architects- in a series of engaging 10-minute presentations.

 

Attendance is free, but pre-registration is required via the following link: ek-mag.com/event/

 

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 Architects
– Natassa Lianou & Ermis Chalvatzis | LC Architects
– Ivy Nanopoulou & Eri Nikoloudi | Thymio Papayannis & Associates
– Eraclis Papachristou | Eraclis Papachristou Architects

Keynote Speaker:

– 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, Nolte Kitchens, VASGLASS, Vitex

Supporters: Anegersi, Diodos, Domiki Papanikolaou, Gratalum, Koligas Wood Essence, Knauf, Saint-Gobain Glass, TEXTURES AND TILES

Hospitality Sponsors: Electra Rhythm Athens, in[n]Athens

Wine Sponsor: Zacharias Wines

 

Domestic prototype

In the wake of the global realignment brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, Riverhouse emerged as a deeply personal exploration of domesticity. Situated within a protected river corridor in rural Rhode Island, the project reflects broader cultural shifts toward slower living, environmental consciousness and closer engagement with nature. Designed as both family residence and experimental retreat, the house reconsiders how architecture can support evolving modes of living, working and gathering.

Originally occupying the site was a deteriorating summer structure that had hosted a series of informal architecture camps since 2014. These gatherings brought together architects, collaborators and families in an environment centered around dialogue, collective reflection and shared living. Over time, the fragile building became increasingly unsustainable, prompting the architects to envision a new dwelling capable of preserving the spirit of the site while responding to contemporary environmental and spatial demands.

 

Domestic Prototype

The new residence occupies the footprint of the original structure while introducing a compact yet highly articulated architectural form. Elevated to comply with floodplain regulations, the house balances technical rigor with an atmosphere of informality and warmth. Conceived according to Passive House principles, the project incorporates triple-glazed openings, heavily insulated wall assemblies and rooftop photovoltaic systems with battery storage, allowing the building to operate entirely on electricity while minimizing year-round energy consumption.

Rather than emphasizing technological performance as an end in itself, the project integrates environmental systems seamlessly within the architectural language. The design maximizes natural ventilation and daylight through strategically positioned apertures, while outdoor rooms, terraces and roof gardens extend domestic life into the surrounding landscape. The architecture negotiates openness and enclosure through a sequence of carefully calibrated spatial conditions that reinforce the connection between interior and exterior environments.

The distinctive geometry of the house emerged through an iterative process of physical model-making. A folded blue metal roof descends asymmetrically across the facades, producing a diagonal ridgeline that creates dynamic sectional relationships throughout the interior. This manipulation of volume allows for double-height spaces, mezzanine rooms and carved outdoor courtyards that bring light deep into the plan while framing views toward the river and surrounding forest.

 

 

Material Palette

Material selection played a central role in shaping the identity of the project. Thermally modified ash wood cladding, unfinished plywood surfaces and handmade Lebanese tiles introduce tactile richness while maintaining a restrained material palette. Vibrant window frames punctuate the muted exterior composition, echoing the changing colors of the surrounding vegetation throughout the seasons.

Inside, the house is organized around a spacious communal living area designed for both everyday inhabitation and collective gathering. Storage systems are embedded within the architectural envelope to maintain spatial clarity, while each room is dimensioned with precision to maximize efficiency without sacrificing comfort. The spatial organization privileges adaptability and fluidity, allowing domestic routines, work and social activities to coexist seamlessly.

The project evolved through an extended process of collaboration involving architects, designers, artists and craftspeople. These interventions blur the boundaries between architecture, interiors and objects, reinforcing the house’s role as a continuously evolving environment shaped through collective authorship.

Construction itself became part of the project’s narrative. Built incrementally within a modest budget, the project relied heavily on the involvement of friends, collaborators and local builders. The process unfolded gradually, with many contributors living alongside the project as it took shape, reinforcing the architects’ broader understanding of architecture as a social and participatory act.

 

 

Design Philosophy

Beyond its role as a private residence, the project operates as an ongoing platform for exchange, experimentation and dialogue. Continuing the legacy of the original architecture camps, the project supports gatherings that foster conversation around architecture, ecology and collective living. A second phase currently underway introduces a pavilion, swimming pool and gardens intended to accommodate future communal events and workshops.

In this sense, Riverhouse belongs to a lineage of architect-designed experimental houses that function simultaneously as homes and spatial manifestos. Yet unlike historical precedents centered on formal autonomy, this project responds directly to contemporary concerns surrounding climate adaptation, evolving family structures and the redefinition of domestic space in an increasingly uncertain world.

The result is a residence that resists the notion of retreat as isolation. Instead, the project proposes an architecture rooted in openness, resilience and environmental sensitivity – a carefully inhabited structure that remains unfinished in the most productive sense: continuously adapting, evolving and engaging with the people and landscape that surround it.

 

 

The 64th edition of Salone del Mobile.Milano concluded with remarkable success, reaffirming its position as the leading global event in the field of design. In a year marked by international uncertainty, the exhibition welcomed 316,342 visitors from 167 countries, representing a significant increase compared to the corresponding figures of 2025. At the same time, 1,900 companies from 32 countries participated, showcasing the image of a flexible and competitive industrial ecosystem.

The established parallel exhibitions, such as the International Bathroom Exhibition, EuroCucina and FTK–Technology For the Kitchen, highlighted the continuing importance of living spaces where industrial production, technological innovation and evolving lifestyles intersect.

Beyond product presentation, this year’s edition strengthened its cultural and strategic character. Salone Raritas hosted 28 exhibitors from 12 countries, integrating the collectible and experimental dimension of design into a broader dialogue around uniqueness and research. The masterplan for Salone Contract 2027, designed by Rem Koolhaas and David Gianotten / OMA, redefined the field of contract design as a complex global system, shifting the focus from the object itself to infrastructures and markets.

Finally, the sold-out event La Notte Bianca del Progetto, promoted by the Salone del Mobile.Milano Observatory, brought together 19 institutions, including major public and private archives, with more than 50 guided tours and talks, presenting over 150 historic architecture and design collections that form part of the city’s cultural heritage.

ek magazine was an official media partner of this year’s Salone del Mobile.

The 65th edition of the exhibition will take place from 13–18 April 2027.

https://tinyurl.com/ytjf4vfs

Refined Materiality

This generational home was designed as a gathering place for an international client’s extended family. A longtime appreciator of modern design, the owner was looking to carefully craft a biophilic living space for his wife and young twins, as well as a home to entertain and host visiting friends and family.

 

Design Philosophy

The private site is situated on a flag lot, surrounded by open space with mature perimeter trees and vegetation. The 455m² structure consists of two forms layered perpendicularly. On the ground level, a kitchen, dining, and family room flow naturally into outdoor living spaces, centered around a passively cooled double-height living room that pulls cold air from lower levels to the warmer second story via strategically placed windows. A covered patio at the rear of the house and trellis at the front foster a sense of openness; the surrounding scenery is framed thoughtfully by architecture, becoming almost transparent.

The L-shaped structure nestles a protected, private courtyard and pool between the house and hillside, which directly connects to the guest suite. The suite is thoughtfully designed as a space for the client’s visiting parents. Supported by the lower level on one end and the hillside on the other, the private second floor is balanced gracefully atop its lower counterpart. The primary suite lightly floats above a grove of mature oaks, overlooking distant views of the San Francisco Bay to the north. On the opposite end, the twins’ rooms mirror each other as to “not to favor one over the other”, equally divided by a shared study nook.

 

 

Functional Organization

A double height stone clad fireplace connects the first and second floors, and wood slats splash patterns of daylight onto a rich material palette. A subterranean level houses the office, guest room, and nanny suite, complimented by lightwells that welcome natural light into each space. The office connects via an outdoor staircase to the covered patio -a primary outdoor gathering space for friends and family, with a fireplace and moveable wood slatted screens allowing flexibility to control exposure to southern sunlight.

 

 

Material Palette

The home’s materiality is subtle and refined, allowing natural textures to create visual contrast. The exterior is clad with bush-hammered travertine and reclaimed Ulin wood siding. A simple, warm interior palette of white oak paneling, black laminate, and white marble with brass accents allows the surrounding landscape to add color and light. Understated, comfortable furnishings accented with the daughter’s hand sketches create a warm, open, materially rich space deeply and intimately connected to the site and its occupants.

 

Reference point

The project’s design considers both the current state of the area and its future development. In this direction, a distinctive, contemporary architectural language is created with the aim of establishing a point of reference in the growing district of Voula.

 

Design Philosophy

The main idea is to create a double shell that envelops the building, providing the necessary privacy for users. The irregular shape of the plot and the narrow frontage on the adjacent streets, with large sides located at the plot boundaries, determine a need for private spaces while preserving a sense of continuity with the uncovered neighboring areas. The shell is traversed by a sparse perforation, contributing to the natural lighting of the interior of the building while ensuring the necessary privacy where needed. The perforations are clad with robust semi-transparent glass elements that create interesting reflections inside. The curved slabs, with their slight rotation, give the impression of a not-so-compact volume, offering intriguing shadows and different visual perspectives from the balconies.

Bioclimatic Strategy

In pursuit of sustainable development, local climate features were incorporated into the design. Water surfaces and green areas play a central role in creating a microclimate for residents and the neighborhood. On the ground floor, the designed shallow pond, with irregular islands and a swimming tank, is part of the approach. This composition, combined with the planting of gardens with interesting varieties of tall trees, creates a harmonized natural climate of coolness and tranquility at the entrance level, which extends to the surrounding neighborhood.

 

 

Custom Elements

On the balconies, green spaces are created, adding to the aesthetic quality of the exterior arrangement, and contributing to bioclimatic design. The perforated pergola on the roof level, acting as a filter, serves as an additional architectural element that creates ideal conditions for shading and ventilation, enhancing the aesthetic and functional character of the space.

 

On 27 April 2026, over 2,000 guests from 42 nations gathered at the sold-out Friedrichstadt-Palast in Berlin to celebrate the winners of the iF DESIGN AWARD 2026 – one of the world’s most prestigious design awards. This year, more than 10,000 entries from 68 countries were submitted across 93 design categories. A diverse, independent jury of 131 international experts evaluated all entries in a two-step jury process to determine the year’s outstanding design achievements. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the coveted iF DESIGN AWARD 2026 Gold trophies by iF Design CEO Uwe Cremering, who personally congratulated all 74 Gold Winners on one Europe’s largest heater stages.

 

Patricia Urquiola receives the iF Design Lifetime Achievement Award 2026

The internationally influential Spanish-born designer and architect Patricia Urquiola has been honoured with the iF Design Lifetime Achievement Award 2026. As one of the most significant female designers worldwide, she has shaped the international design landscape for decades – with works ranging from iconic furniture designs to globally acclaimed interior projects. Her creations for leading global brands regularly set new standards in aesthetics and innovation. With her distinctive approach, which combines sensuality, material exploration, and technological advancement, she is regarded as one of the most respected designers of our time.

In his remarks, iF Design CEO Uwe Cremering emphasized the significance of the competition in a rapidly evolving global environment: “Despite challenging global conditions, we can report an exceptionally successful year with more than 10,000 submissions from around 4,850 participants representing 68 countries. The strong demand we are seeing in the United States, Japan, Brazil, the Republic of Korea and many European markets confirm both the relevance of our work and the trust the international design community places in iF Design.”

He continued: “At the same time, we are witnessing a rapid evolution in the role of design worldwide. Design increasingly shapes how we build the future – how we take responsibility, use resources wisely, and ensure that new technologies, including AI, serve people rather than replace them. AI does not replace design. Without design, AI reduces to leverage; with strong design, it becomes a strategic asset.”

The 3rd iF Design Trend Conference took place the day after the iF DESIGN AWARD NIGHT at AXICA near the Brandenburg Gate – once again sold out well in advance. Around 500 guests experienced an outstanding program addressing forward-looking themes in global design. Speakers included:

• Branko Lukic (Cognitive Architecture, San José/California): The value of human imperfection in the age of AI
• Borja Martinez Pérez (LO SIENTO, Barcelona/Spain): The relevance of analog creativity in a digital world
• Mouna Andraos & Melissa Mongiat (Daily tous les jours, Montreal/Canada): Redefining public space and human interaction for the 21st century
• Robert Hodgin (Rare Volume, Brooklyn/New York): The role of creativity in an era of increasing automation

 

iF Design Trend Report 2026 Released

During the Trend Conference, the new iF Design Trend Report 2026 was released and is available for free download until 7 July 2026. Now in its fifth edition, the 300page report connects crossdisciplinary design trends with the most important technological and societal developments of our time.

The report is structured around four key trend and countertrend pairs, exploring their influence on future design:

1. Age of Average – Recoupling Design
2. Comfort Culture – Skillization
3. Next Nature – Human Augmentation
4. Unfolding Cities – Urban Villages

The Trend Report includes international expert interviews, analytical insights, challenges and strategic recommendations for companies, as well as best-practice examples from award-winning products, projects, and services.

 

iF DESIGN ACADEMY successfully launched

Another major milestone: The iF DESIGN ACADEMY, launched in September 2025, has successfully completed its first year. Around ten program cycles have already taken place, all with excellent results and overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants. The Academy addresses the growing need for high-level education in Design Leadership and is establishing itself as a new global learning platform for designers in an increasingly complex world.

Upcoming courses include AI Strategy for Design Leaders (1-week sprint starts 18 June, Tey Bannerman), Design Leadership for Strategic Transformation (in-person starts 10 September, in cooperation with the University of St. Gallen), and others.

Learn more at ifdesign-academy.com

OPEN HOUSE ATHENS 2026 concluded with great success on April 4 & 5. Once again, the event confirmed its dynamic role as one of the most important architectural institutions in Greece. Marmouris S.A. supported, for the fourth consecutive year, the initiative through THE SOURCE, actively reinforcing actions that promote architectural discourse, creative dialogue, and the contemporary urban experience.

This year’s edition, under the theme “Emerging City – the city that emerges,” attracted thousands of visitors, who had the opportunity to explore 78 buildings across Athens, along with a wide-ranging program of parallel events. Public and private spaces, residences, offices, hotels, and cultural infrastructures opened their doors, offering free guided tours and a rare opportunity to experience and understand the city’s architecture through different perspectives.

Within this multidimensional framework, Marmouris S.A. and THE SOURCE continued to actively support initiatives that strengthen the connection between architecture, materials, and contemporary creation. The company’s participation is part of its broader philosophy, which places innovation, aesthetics, and sustainability at the center of every creative process.

This year’s event left behind a strong imprint of creativity and renewal, highlighting the importance of architecture as a fundamental element of everyday life and cultural identity.

Renewing its appointment for the institution’s upcoming activities and OPEN HOUSE THESSALONIKI 2026, Marmouris S.A. continues to invest in initiatives that foster creativity, encourage collaboration, and actively contribute to shaping the future of architecture.

Displaced volumes

The project αφορά a residence on a narrow, elongated plot, where the architectural composition is structured through two distinct rectangular volumes in displacement, developing linearly along the length of the site.

 

Design Philosophy

The residence is formed through the interplay between a solid, elevated volume and a more transparent ground floor. Their relative displacement generates a permeable nucleus of semi-outdoor living, functioning as an intermediate threshold between interior and exterior. This space establishes a direct visual and functional continuity with the main living areas. The linear development of the composition responds to the geometry of the plot, reinforcing clarity in spatial organization and continuity in the living experience.

 

 

Material Palette

Exposed concrete constitutes the dominant material of the composition, expressed with a clear, monolithic character that conveys a sense of mass and permanence. Along the eastern boundary of the plot, a rough stone wall with discreet openings defines the outdoor living zone, while simultaneously integrating elements of outdoor cooking and gathering. The juxtaposition of materials (concrete and stone) establishes a balance between the artificial and the natural, strengthening the building’s relationship with its landscape.

At ground level, the main living spaces are directly connected to the landscaped environment and the water element. Sliding glass panels, fully concealed within specially designed wall recesses, allow for the complete unification of interior and exterior spaces, dissolving their boundaries and creating a continuous spatial condition of habitation.

 

 

Lighting Strategy

The upper floor accommodates the private areas of the residence, protected by deep overhangs that incorporate planting and contribute to passive solar shading. Light is treated as a primary compositional tool: at the termination of the building, a long horizontal opening operates as a “ribbon” of light, relieving the mass of the concrete while selectively framing views toward the surrounding landscape.

A curved cut within part of this opening, positioned above the children’s bedrooms, introduces a softer geometric gesture, mitigating the strictness of the primary volumes. Through this intervention, the composition acquires a more expressive quality, where rigid geometry engages in dialogue with a more fluid formal articulation.

Spatial Seams at the Edge

The project proposes the activation of the northern part of Karpathos through a network of existing and new hiking and maritime routes, forming a unified spatial narrative that transforms movement into an experience of reflection and discovery.

 

Surveying the Landscape

The study focuses on revealing and activating the northern part of Karpathos through a network of routes connecting four key locations: Avlona, Vroukounta, Tristomo and Saria. These individual sites form a cohesive spatial narrative, where movement is not merely a transition but a process of experiential understanding of the landscape.

A key element of the approach is the systematic observation and analysis of the site, leading to the creation of a “lexicon of the place.” This tool operates as a methodological foundation for the design process, enabling the interpretation of the landscape’s characteristics and their translation into architectural gestures. The interventions emerge as “spatial seams,” subtly integrated into the environment, emphasizing the transitional and fluid nature of the experience.

Architectural Interventions

The proposed interventions form a system of points that activate the landscape without altering its character. In Avlona, “The Threshing Floor” is organized as a square–amphitheater, inspired by the traditional form of the threshing floor, functioning as a gathering place and a starting point for routes. Beneath the ground, a rainwater collection reservoir is integrated, reinforcing the relationship between architecture and the productive landscape.

In Vroukounta, “The Trace” is shaped as a space for information and contemplation. The composition draws references from the carved monuments of the area, with a grid oriented toward the necropolis. Vertical cuts pierce the ground, allowing light to penetrate and create an intense spatial atmosphere, where information transforms into reflection on memory and mortality.

In Tristomo, “The Rift” is positioned opposite Saria, reinforcing the condition of transition toward the island. Through the gradual lowering of the existing path, a protected space is created, where walls and incisions shape a controlled interplay of light and shadow. At the end of the route, the framed view of Saria becomes the culmination of the experience.

Design Philosophy

The central aim of the proposal is the assimilation of the interventions into the landscape, enhancing the experience of the visitor while revealing the cultural richness of the area. The composition forms a narrative journey, where the visitor is invited to listen, learn and experience the place as a living entity.

Architecture does not impose itself but operates as a medium of revelation. Based on primordial forms and spatial principles, it translates the landscape into experience, where memory is activated through the sequence of spaces. It is a compositional approach in which the human presence recedes, allowing the place to speak, forming a journey through fragments of memory and physical presence.

 

Inclined tower

The project is located along the coastline of Limassol, 9 km east of the city center. Rising to a height of 50m, it consists of luxury apartments offering a 180° sea view. The construction of the building required the study and supervision of specialized consultants and contractors due to its large cantilevers, which gradually shift and extend away from the building’s core on the ground floor.

 

Design Philosophy

Each floor is displaced by 1.5m to maximize the orientation and create expansive, both covered and uncovered, south-facing verandas with views of the sea. This displacement results in the building sloping at an angle of over 20°, presenting unique technical challenges regarding the structure, vertical circulation, mechanical and electrical systems, and security. At the same time, it defines the building’s key feature, transforming it into an iconic landmark.

 

 

Urban Integration

The building leans toward the road and the urban landscape. On this elevation, behind the parametric perforated sloped GRC shell, the mechanical spaces are located, functioning as a vertical buffer zone between the public and private realms.

Water Element

In the horizontal dimension of the building, at ground level and spanning 50m in length, a water element connects the interior to the surrounding environment, reaching the shore. The elongated swimming pool, entirely clad in green marble, accentuates the north-south axis that links the urban landscape with the natural one, guiding the user from the public to the private space. The pool also serves as an area for leisure, relaxation, and rejuvenation.

The design, along with the selection of natural materials, plantings, and water elements, creates a sense of balance and a deep connection to the earth, both inside and out.

 

Bioclimatic shell

The project, located next to a traffic junction in one of the busiest and noisiest areas on the outskirts of Nicosia, is a medical center that provides day-care services across multiple fields, featuring modern and specialized operating rooms.

 

Design Philosophy

The elongated plot along Tseriou Avenue, oriented north–south, made it crucial to protect the building’s spaces from western and eastern solar exposure, as well as from excessive noise. The building is organized across six levels, two of which are underground. The ground floor, aligned with the adjacent pedestrian pathways, accommodates reception and service areas, a café, various gathering spaces, and offices. Medical areas, such as operating rooms and recovery rooms, are located on the first and second floors. The basement levels include support spaces and parking, while the third level houses mechanical installations.

The ground floor maintains a direct visual connection with the surroundings, is easily and immediately accessible from the sidewalk, and is surrounded by planting and outdoor areas for rest and dining. In contrast, the first and second floors are more introverted, with selective openings designed in direct relation to the functions they serve.

 

 

Facade and Shading Strategies

On the first and second floors, the eastern, western, and southern façades incorporate large rotating shading devices integrated into the building envelope, allowing generous outward views. When closed, they block sunlight and provide near-complete blackout conditions. On the western side, fixed perforated shading elements protect two external balconies directly connected to the vertical circulation, which can be used as breakout spaces.

On the northern façade, where solar protection is not required, a green wall covers the entire surface. In the intermediate zone between the wall and the vegetation, two balconies are constructed for plant maintenance as well as for relaxation. Spaces with direct visual contact to the green wall mainly include operating rooms and recovery beds.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The internal organization of the building, while overall reflecting the need for efficiency in patient care, is enriched with internal green atria and rest areas with balconies overlooking the city. These features create a well-lit and pleasant environment for both visitors and staff.

Set within a valley at the foot of a wooded hillside, the house is embedded in a landscape often veiled in shadow, protected by both slope and vegetation. The project emerges from this chiaroscuro condition, proposing the restoration of the original structure alongside the addition of a suspended extension – an intervention defined by lightness, openness and a renewed relationship with the surrounding environment.

 

Restoration Strategy

The existing building, a construction of notable character, has been carefully restored through a process of subtraction rather than transformation. Interior partitions and superfluous finishes were removed, allowing the spatial continuity to re-emerge while revealing the integrity of the original timber framework. Plaster coatings were stripped away, exposing the tactile qualities of stone and embedded flint, while existing shutters were cleaned and reinstated.

This approach reestablishes the house’s primary material expression and reinforces its anchoring within the Vexin landscape. The architecture does not impose a new identity but instead clarifies and amplifies what was already present, allowing the structure to reconnect with its historical and material context.

 

 

Design Philosophy

In contrast to the grounded, mineral presence of the original volume, the extension adopts a distinctly lighter architectural language. Positioned perpendicular to the existing structure, it extends beyond the shaded footprint to capture optimal sunlight. Elevated three meters above the natural terrain, the new volume engages directly with the slope and surrounding vegetation, establishing a dynamic spatial dialogue between ground and canopy.

A slender footbridge, constructed in wood and clad in polished stainless steel, connects the two volumes, framing views toward the forest while reflecting the sky. This transitional element reinforces the experiential sequence between old and new, shadow and light, enclosure and openness.

 

 

Material Palette & Structure

The extension is anchored by foundations of exposed aggregate concrete incorporating flint, establishing continuity with local construction methods and materials. Above this base rises a triangulated pine structure, articulated through a fine and rhythmic framework that defines the project’s light and elevated silhouette.

This structural system, both precise and expressive, supports an architecture that balances stability and suspension. The interplay between the restored mass and the lightweight addition generates a cohesive composition that explores contrasts – between heaviness and lightness, opacity and transparency, shadow and illumination.

Between anchoring and elevation, the project articulates a nuanced architectural response to its environment, proposing a dwelling that is both embedded in its context and open to transformation over time.

 

Industrial Archaeology

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

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

 

Spatial Organization

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

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

 

 

Material Palette

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

 

 

Sustainability Strategy

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

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

 

Continuous dialogue

Set within a site of remarkable natural beauty and surrounded by a golf course, the residence is conceived as an architectural composition that seeks to integrate seamlessly with its landscape. Through a careful articulation of volumetry and material expression, the project balances an extensive program with a sense of spatial clarity and harmony. The L-shaped plan is positioned at a slightly elevated level relative to the street, allowing unobstructed panoramic views across the otherwise flat terrain. This gesture establishes a gradual spatial transition while encouraging a continuous dialogue between interior and exterior environments.

 

Design Philosophy

The formal language of the residence is defined by the interplay of strong horizontal lines and a series of nuanced geometric transformations. Corners are beveled, curved, or inclined, generating a dynamic architectural composition that combines precision with expressive fluidity. The material palette reinforces this relationship with the surrounding landscape, employing light and earthy tones that enhance visual continuity. Wood elements, applied in panels and ceilings, are paired with a metal structure, while exposed light concrete introduces a subtle contrast against the warmer textures of the ground floor. A large, slatted panel on the upper level further accentuates the sense of lightness, contributing to the layered articulation of the façade.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The architectural composition unfolds through a clear organizational strategy that divides the residence into two primary volumes. A longitudinal wing accommodates the private program, including three suites, a physiotherapy space, and a home office, while a transversal volume concentrates the social and service areas, such as the kitchen, dining space, and auxiliary functions. Upon entry, gently inclined and curved walls guide movement toward the main living area, establishing a fluid spatial sequence that connects directly with the leisure zones. The integration of amenities, including sauna, spa, gym, and children’s area, is enhanced by retractable glass panels, allowing for flexibility and continuity. This entire leisure front is illuminated by zenithal natural light, ensuring both privacy and spatial clarity.

 

 

Lighting Design & Materials

Large, glazed surfaces establish a constant visual connection with the surrounding landscape, framing views and reinforcing the contemplative character of the residence. Architectural elements such as pergolas and inclined planes modulate light and shadow across the façades, introducing temporal variation throughout the day. On the upper floor, the master suite and additional bedrooms are arranged along the axes of the L-shaped plan, complemented by workspaces that benefit from the tranquility of the setting. A metal slat screen filters natural light while preserving privacy, and a continuous metallic eave outlines the volume with refined subtlety. Internally, the design language mirrors the exterior, combining warm tones, natural light, curated artworks, and selected furniture pieces into a cohesive and elegant spatial experience.

 

Spatial symphony

Tucked within the dense urban fabric of Limassol, the project is conceived as a refined retreat that explores the expressive potential of materiality, light and spatial continuity. The interior unfolds as a carefully curated composition, where tactile surfaces, layered lighting and bespoke details generate an atmosphere that is both intimate and elevated. Each element contributes to a narrative of lived elegance, where design operates not only as a visual language but as an experiential medium.

 

Spatial Organization

The living area develops as a fluid, open-plan environment, where spatial boundaries dissolve in favor of continuity and visual cohesion. A backlit library wall acts as a central architectural gesture, emitting a soft, ambient glow reminiscent of sunset light, while simultaneously functioning as a display system for curated objects and books. This illuminated surface anchors the space, introducing a gallery-like quality to the domestic setting.

Furniture elements are positioned to enhance both comfort and contrast, with a saddle leather grey sofa paired with a vivid red armchair. Full-height glazing extends the interior toward the exterior balcony, establishing a direct visual connection with a vibrant courtyard mural and reinforcing the dialogue between interior and exterior expression.

Material Palette

The kitchen is conceived as the operational core of the residence, balancing everyday functionality with social interaction. Wood cabinetry introduces warmth, while grey stone countertops and integrated appliances articulate a contemporary aesthetic. The central island operates as both workspace and gathering point, seamlessly connecting kitchen, dining and living areas.

In the dining space, a sculptural rose gold chandelier defines the atmosphere, casting diffused light across the black dining table. Upholstered seating and layered table settings introduce a sense of refined informality, while sheer curtains modulate daylight, producing a calm and intimate environment.

 

 

Lighting Design

The bedroom is approached as a sensorial environment, where texture and material layering define spatial identity. Denim-textured wall coverings establish a soft, woven backdrop, framing a sculptural bed upholstered in green textile. Complementary green marble surfaces and leather-wrapped details introduce a nuanced material dialogue, balancing tactility with precision.

Lighting plays a critical role in shaping the atmosphere, with brass-detailed track systems highlighting artworks and surfaces, while a chandelier composed of golden leaf elements introduces a focal, almost scenographic quality. The resulting composition reinforces a sense of intimacy, transforming the bedroom into a contemplative and immersive space.

Overall, the interior design achieves a cohesive synthesis of function, craftsmanship and narrative, aligning seamlessly with the architectural framework of the residence while articulating a distinct and layered domestic experience.

 

Material coherence

Located in São Paulo, the project is conceived with materiality as the central axis of the design and spatial integration as the guiding principle of its architectural organization. The residence articulates a refined architectural language shaped by precision in detailing and a nuanced understanding of contemporary domestic life.

 

Material Palette

Concrete defines the structural and formal expression of the composition, lending the house a distinct urban character. In contrast, freijó wood veneer millwork unfolds continuously throughout the interiors, establishing a cohesive spatial narrative that connects diverse programmatic elements, from the home theater to the guest bedroom. Doors clad in natural banana leaf fibers introduce a layer of texture and tactility, reinforcing the project’s engagement with the expressive potential of materials. The resulting palette establishes a balanced dialogue between rustic references and a contemporary architectural language.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The spatial organization is structured through calibrated degrees of openness and enclosure, enabling a fluid and coherent reading of the house. The kitchen and dining area share a unified visual and material field, allowing for complete integration, while auxiliary functions, such as the wine cellar and support pantry, are accommodated in more contained spatial conditions. Circulation unfolds seamlessly, enhancing the continuity of movement and reinforcing the experiential quality of everyday living.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The relationship between architecture and nature plays a central role in the project’s conception. The gourmet area is organized around an existing tree, which is incorporated as an active spatial element within the design. The garden extends into the interior, operating as a natural continuation of the architectural framework and dissolving the boundary between inside and outside.

On the third floor, dedicated entirely to the couple, the primary suite establishes a direct connection with the exterior through expansive openings. The bathroom, enveloped by vegetation, extends outward to a terrace with a hot tub, amplifying the sensory experience of inhabitation. An adjacent office space is integrated into this level, connected through a custom-designed bookcase that combines storage, library and functional support, maintaining the overall spatial and material coherence.

 

Working laboratory

Taller Di Frenna Arquitectos has developed its own architecture studio in Colima, Mexico, conceived as both a functional workplace and a platform for creative exploration. The building accommodates workspaces, meeting areas, audiovisual facilities and interior courtyards, organized within a series of clearly articulated volumes. Through the use of exposed materials, textural experimentation and the integration of natural light and vegetation, the project reflects the studio’s broader architectural ethos.  

 

Design Philosophy

The headquarters is conceived as an environment where architectural production and research coexist. Beyond accommodating the daily operations of the practice, the building operates as a space for experimentation, collaboration and the development of ideas.

The program includes open-plan workspaces, meeting rooms, audiovisual areas and a dedicated model-making workshop. These functions are arranged to foster interaction between team members and to support the various stages of the design process, from conceptual exploration to final presentation.

Rather than functioning as a conventional office, the building acts as a working laboratory, embodying the studio’s design methodology while enabling the continuous testing and evolution of architectural ideas.

 

 

Construction Logic & Materials

The architectural composition is defined by a sequence of clean, well-proportioned volumes. Emphasis is placed on the use of exposed, honest materials, allowing construction elements to remain visible and to express their structural and tactile qualities.

Concrete, steel, charred wood and stone form the primary material palette. Their combination, through varied textures and finishes, generates a layered architectural language that negotiates between industrial precision and natural expression. This material strategy reinforces durability while foregrounding craftsmanship and construction techniques.

The approach aligns with a broader design philosophy rooted in clarity of form, authenticity of materials and the integration of artisanal knowledge within contemporary architectural practice.

 

 

Courtyards & Spatial Organization

A network of interior courtyards structures the spatial organization of the building. These voids introduce natural light and vegetation into the interior, while establishing visual and physical connections between different programmatic zones.

The interplay between interior and exterior conditions produces a gradual spatial transition, where built volumes and natural elements coexist in a continuous dialogue. Variations in light, shadow and level contribute to a dynamic spatial experience, mitigating the monotony typically associated with enclosed office environments. These intermediate spaces also function as areas of pause and informal gathering, supporting a working atmosphere that encourages reflection, exchange and collective engagement.

The realization of the building involved close collaboration with local builders and artisans, whose contribution is evident in the detailing, surface treatments and material finishes throughout the project.

 

Vechro Paints participated in the “Packages of Love” initiative, in collaboration with Hatzigakis Foundation, actively contributing to the support of vulnerable families across Greece.

The company fully covered the essential goods, while the Vechro team stepped away from their desks to become something more: a human chain of giving. Through their personal involvement, the company’s people undertook the collection, organization, and packaging of over 450 kilograms of food at the central facilities, as well as their transportation to the collection point.

This mobilization contributed to something truly significant: the creation of 1,200 support packages for more than 500 families across the country.

The initiative evolved into a powerful moment of teamwork. Hands working together, a rhythm built collectively, and a spirit transformed into tangible results with real impact. For us, this is what “together” truly means.

“Packages of Love” highlights something simple yet essential: when we mobilize together, the outcome multiplies. And in doing so, giving gains a real impact on people’s everyday lives.

Vechro continues to invest in initiatives with social purpose, supporting actions that connect people and create value that inspires.

 

#VechroMoments #PackagesOfLove #VechroPeople #TogetherWeCare #CSR

The participation of MARMOURIS S.A. in Medwood Plus 2026, held from March 27 to 30 at the Metropolitan Expo Athens, was completed with great success, once again confirming the company’s dynamic role in the field of modern furniture solutions and interior design. The exhibition brought together leading industry professionals from Greece and abroad.

During the event, MARMOURIS S.A. had the opportunity to present a wide range of innovative products and solutions, fully meeting the needs of today’s professionals.

Particular emphasis was placed on DTC furniture mechanisms, including drawer systems designed for enhanced functionality, as well as sliding wardrobe mechanisms. Advanced hinge solutions and cabinet lift systems also stood out for their innovation.

Visitors to the booth experienced firsthand modern kitchen and bathroom equipment solutions by STARAX & AMBOS, which combine functionality with contemporary aesthetics and high quality. Special attention was also drawn to the VOLPATO Stili Ellipse & Cyclos open-structure shelving systems, offering flexibility and adaptability for any space while following the latest design trends.

In the surfaces category, new shades and color proposals were presented, including HANEX acrylic surfaces, HANSTONE quartz surfaces, and INFINITY ceramic surfaces. These materials stand out for their durability, refined aesthetics, and suitability for demanding architectural and design projects. Notably, ceramic surfaces were showcased in kitchen applications not only for countertops but also for cabinets and drawers, creating a striking visual result.

Another highlight was the introduction of the company’s new partnership with KFA Armatura, a well-established manufacturer with extensive experience, specializing in modern solutions for bathroom and kitchen equipment such as faucets and shower systems. Additionally, proposals for knobs, handles, and pulls from the GEMAN and ORAMIS brands attracted significant interest, perfectly complementing any furniture construction.

The success of MARMOURIS S.A.’s presence at this year’s event is largely attributed to the excellent organization and professionalism of its team. The booth stood out for its aesthetic quality and thoughtful design, offering visitors a complete and engaging experience.

It is also worth noting the high-level organization of the exhibition by Medexpo S.A., which played a key role in the overall success of the event by ensuring optimal conditions for both exhibitors and visitors.

With a steady focus on innovation and quality, MARMOURIS S.A. continues to strengthen its position in the industry, serving as a reliable partner for professionals in furniture manufacturing and interior design.

Urban upgrade

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

 

Design Philosophy

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

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

 

 

Spatial Organization

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

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

 

 

Sustainability & Technology

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

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

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

 

Introverted courtyard

The house is located in a suburban area of Nicosia and was designed to establish a strong connection between indoor and outdoor living, drawing references from the urban Cypriot houses of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

 

Spatial Organization

This contemporary approach reinterprets the courtyard as the living core of the residence. The main spaces – living room, dining area, kitchen and two bedrooms – are arranged in an L-shaped layout around a central courtyard. At the heart of the composition, an elongated water element, the pool, acts as a natural extension of the living space.

The presence of water enhances the dialogue between inside and outside, while also contributing significantly to the formation of a favorable microclimate, providing natural cooling during the summer months. The courtyard thus becomes an intermediate space of everyday life, where the boundaries between private and open-air environments are softened.

 

 

Material Palette

The architectural proposal follows a strict minimalist logic, emphasizing geometric clarity and the elimination of any superfluous elements. The volumes are defined by clean lines, while the composition is structured around the balance between solid and void.

Exposed concrete is the dominant material, selected for both its structural properties and its restrained aesthetic. This unified materiality ensures coherence and durability, while the clean surfaces act as a canvas for the interplay of natural light and shifting shadows throughout the day.

 

 

Bioclimatic Strategy

The design carefully utilizes orientation and cross-ventilation to ensure optimal airflow and natural lighting. At the same time, the introverted organization of the residence guarantees a high level of privacy, in contrast to the surrounding urban context.

The result is a residence that engages with local architectural heritage, translating it into a contemporary language. Through the synthesis of space, material and climate, the project responds to current needs for quality of life, flexibility and a meaningful connection with the natural environment.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Legible boundaries

The interior design of a 300 m² office space for an insurance company is conceived as a study in transparency, spatial continuity and organizational clarity. The proposal introduces the notion of the “capsule” as a primary morphological and functional device, structuring the workplace through a series of transparent volumes that articulate the program while preserving a continuous visual field throughout the interior.

 

Spatial Organization

Departing from conventional enclosed office typologies, the design employs glass volumes to accommodate private functions such as meeting rooms and executive offices. These “capsules” operate as lightweight architectural insertions within the open-plan layout, allowing natural light to permeate the entirety of the space while maintaining visual connections across departments. The workspace is thus conceived as a unified environment, where boundaries remain legible yet non-restrictive, supporting both collaboration and autonomy.

 

 

Material Palette

Materiality plays a decisive role in shaping the atmosphere of the interior. Exposed cable trays mounted on metal rails, perforated metal panels and glass block partitions foreground the infrastructural and technical dimension of the workspace. In contrast, neutral surfaces introduce a layer of warmth and balance, establishing a dialogue between industrial expression and a more domestic sensibility. This juxtaposition produces a spatial identity that is both precise and inviting.

 

 

Lighting Design

In the entrance, a large-scale perforated metal screen defines the first spatial threshold. Acting as a semi-transparent filter, it subtly delineates the reception area while maintaining visual permeability toward the open workspace beyond. Light and movement diffuse through its perforated surface, enabling a gradual transition from the entrance zone into the interior.

Lighting design further reinforces the spatial reading of the project. Linear fixtures trace the primary axes of circulation, while sculptural and directional lighting elements accentuate specific zones of work and interaction. Combined with the abundant daylight entering through large openings, the lighting strategy enhances the rhythm, depth and clarity of the interior environment.

The resulting workspace is defined by openness, adaptability and a coherent spatial language. Through the interplay of transparency, material contrasts and light, the project fosters a dynamic environment that encourages collaboration while accommodating moments of concentration and privacy within a unified architectural framework.

 

Radical material reuse

Trace is a transformative deep retrofit residential project located on Drummond Street in Euston, London, designed by Bureau de Change for HGG London. The scheme reinterprets a four-storey brick building from the 1980s, extending it with two additional levels and accommodating five contemporary, light-filled apartments, while preserving and repurposing the majority of the existing structure.

 

Circular Economy Principles

At the core of the project lies a rigorous commitment to circular economy principles. Rather than opting for demolition and reconstruction, the design retains the original foundations, primary structure and defining architectural elements, including the characteristic archway, thus conserving the embodied carbon of the site. A key innovation is the development of a site-specific glass reinforced concrete (GRC) composite for the façade, incorporating materials harvested directly from the existing building.

The original mid-brown bricks are crushed and reused as visible aggregate, forming a new textured cladding that reconstitutes the building envelope. This process generates a materially expressive façade that both preserves and reinterprets the building’s history, allowing traces of the past to remain legible within a contemporary architectural language.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The architectural language draws from the layered historical context of Drummond Street and Tolmer’s Square, referencing Georgian urban typologies, the legacy of Euston Station, and successive phases of 20th-century redevelopment. The façade composition is informed by Georgian proportions, rustication, and articulated arches, reinterpreted through a contemporary construction system.

Organized within a rational grid, the openings reinterpret traditional segmental arches, enabling larger window apertures that enhance daylight penetration, cross-ventilation, and spatial quality. The inclusion of winter gardens at the rear further extends the living spaces, establishing a dynamic relationship between interior and exterior environments.

 

 

Layout & Urban Integration

The completed development comprises three two-bedroom apartments across the lower levels and two one-bedroom units on the newly added upper floors, each offering skyline views and access to outdoor terraces. The internal layouts are structured around double-aspect living spaces arranged in a stepped configuration, subtly organizing kitchen, dining, and living areas without rigid partitioning.

Aligned with the ambitions of the Euston Area Plan, the project promotes sustainable urban intensification while enhancing the character of the surrounding area. By demonstrating how existing structures can be elevated through adaptive reuse and material innovation, Trace positions itself as a model for low-carbon residential development within the contemporary city.

 

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.

 

Highlighting the grid

The OTE Headquarters in Athens is the realized architectural study of a multi-storey office building, star-shaped in plan, based on the proposal that was awarded second prize among twelve selected entries. The project concerns the renovation and reconstruction of office and communal spaces from the 2nd to the 13th floor; a decision made in 2019 within the framework of modernization and energy upgrading of the building envelope.

 

Building history and structure

The construction of the original volume began in 1974, with several modifications to the initial plans, while the building was ultimately put into operation in the 1980s, consolidating all services of the “Hellenic Telecommunications Organization.” On a plot of 52 stremmas, a building with a total floor area of 65,000m² was developed.

The new proposal for the interior layout of the office spaces followed the structural grid of the existing shell. The superstructure consists of three rectangular wings, connected through a central circular core of vertical circulation. Each of the 13-storey wings was designed on a vertical structural grid of 1.25×1.25 m, expressed on the façades through external, non-structural, horizontal and vertical reinforced concrete panels. A similar approach is applied to the circular core, where the panels are exclusively vertical and arranged in a radial configuration. Each wing was “divided” into three longitudinal zones, each corresponding to six openings of 1.25m, resulting in a total width of 7.50m per zone.

 

 

Functional organization

In this way, alternative work modules were developed in full correspondence with the building’s structural grid. In the two lateral zones of each wing, both open-plan and enclosed office spaces were arranged, along with dedicated meeting rooms. In these areas, which benefit from natural light and unobstructed views, the arrangement of workstations in two groups of four creates a maximum unit of eight workstations.

The four corner zones of each wing were enclosed with fixed partitions, accommodating special uses, alternating between executive offices, workspaces, collaboration areas, meeting rooms, relaxation zones, creative spaces, rest areas, and spaces for employee retreat.

Movable, flexible, or fixed partitions for integration, repetition, or separation can accommodate – with mechanical precision – all possible conditions of flexibility, functionality, and adaptability. In the central zone, aligned with the structural grid, meeting rooms, sanitary facilities, and support spaces are developed.

 

 

Design Interventions

These include meeting rooms and areas, WCs, a closed kitchen, printing and copying rooms, semi-open meeting booths for private discussions, and open communal spaces for gathering and relaxation. A significant portion is occupied by the existing central core, which houses MEP spaces and the emergency staircase, while a dedicated project/meeting room at the top level, along with the distinctive design and material selection of the entrance area, complete the central zone.

The primary function of the central circular core is circulation and communication, and secondarily, it accommodates auxiliary uses such as WCs and storage areas. Interventions were kept to a minimum, focusing on the refinement of existing material finishes or the localized addition of new ones, the redesign of lighting and ceilings, and the introduction of custom constructions and selected furniture pieces in the radial, curved areas for rest or breaks between the wings.

In one of these areas, the open food service space (cafeteria) was fully upgraded according to specifications, with new elements, lighting, and equipment. Similarly, the WCs were upgraded through the replacement of partitions, claddings, and sanitary fixtures.

 

 

Material Palette

Key parameters in the process of design, selection, and application methods of materials were compliance with the requirements of LEED and WELL Building Standard certification systems.

The construction materials follow the logic of a central design strategy, with consistent choices in flooring, acoustic ceilings, and lighting, combined with numerous variations in claddings, textures, colors, subtle tonalities, material qualities, and furniture equipment. In this way, each wing and floor forms a distinct yet unique visual identity, resulting in a cohesive compositional and aesthetic outcome aligned with the new concept of the study.

The architectural design of the new interior layouts of the headquarters, along with its subtle visual differentiation on the façade (through the replacement of aluminum frames), completes its aesthetic identity, fully implementing the requirements of certification systems, while respecting the existing shell and reinforcing the building’s established presence in the urban consciousness of a major organization.

 

Evolving environment

The interior architecture of the Brazilian headquarters of the global law firm White & Case, emerges from a refined exploration of how local identity can coexist with an international corporate framework. Rooted in a synthesis of tradition and contemporaneity, the project foregrounds the human experience while articulating a spatial narrative shaped by cultural, behavioral, and functional parameters.

 

Design Philosophy

The conceptual approach is grounded in a deep reading of place, where intangible cultural attributes and patterns of use inform the spatial composition. Every design decision, from the incorporation of Brazilian materials and artworks to the selection of furniture by local designers, operates as a deliberate gesture toward expressing identity without resorting to clichés. The result is an environment that is both welcoming and stimulating, fostering engagement through subtle yet meaningful references to locality.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The layout is structured around a continuous and fluid spatial sequence that connects communal areas, such as the reception, café, and landscaped terrace, with private workspaces and meeting rooms. Open-plan workstations are complemented by acoustic solutions, phone booths, and adaptable meeting spaces, supporting a range of working modes. Retractable partitions enable meeting rooms to shift between openness and enclosure, reinforcing a flexible and dynamic office environment. This adaptability extends to the reception area, conceived as a transformable space capable of hosting events or accommodating more formal, everyday functions.

 

 

Material Palette

The material palette draws from natural references, with wood and stone employed to evoke the textures and tones of the Brazilian landscape. A gradual chromatic transition from darker tones at the core to lighter hues toward the perimeter, enhances the perception of depth and spatial progression. Curvilinear elements in floors and partitions, inspired by the work of Roberto Burle Marx, introduce a sense of continuity and movement, reinforcing the project’s fluid spatial identity.

Finally, the project integrates structural and programmatic strategies that anticipate future change. By embedding adaptability into its core, the design responds to evolving workplace demands while addressing the broader issue of spatial obsolescence. The office thus becomes not only a place of work but an evolving environment, capable of renewal, responsive to context, and expressive of both corporate and cultural identity.

 

Alumotor is an innovative company operating in the field of specialized motorization for large-scale frameless systems across Greece. It is the only company in Greece that provides a fully integrated service, including the study, supply, and installation of the complete electronic and mechanical equipment required for the motorized operation of openings.

Alumotor’s engineers, with extensive experience in design and construction, deliver comprehensive study and design solutions tailored to the specific construction requirements of each project.

 

Applications & Customized Systems in Motorized Openings

The high-tech, specialized motorization systems adopt a holistic approach to the unique characteristics of each project, ensuring precision, safety, and cutting-edge aesthetics—even in the most demanding installations.

• Adaptable to all types of motorized systems, such as sliding, pocket sliding, corner systems, and complex movement configurations.
• Advanced automation allows the synchronization of two or more motorized systems (e.g. corner openings, curtain systems, etc.).
• Openings can be controlled individually or integrated into building automation systems.
• Obstacle detection systems and adjustable speed and force control are incorporated.
• Advanced system for precise travel distance measurement, eliminating the need for limit switches.
• High-spec electrical and mechanical equipment with industrial-grade drivers for absolute motor control, even in large and heavy systems.
• Flexible management solutions tailored to user needs and construction specifics (minimal structures, aluminum, wood, etc.).

Motorized systems can be seamlessly integrated with other technologies such as solar panels, sensors, security systems, and smart building management systems, enabling synchronization with lighting, heating, air conditioning, security, and remote control functions. The mechanism remains 100% concealed within the installation, ensuring a clean and minimal aesthetic result. Alumotor’s After Sales Service, including maintenance and warranty services, guarantees the uninterrupted operation of all systems.

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.

 

Ritualistic process

LOULOU, an iconic boutique dedicated to rare and avant-garde eyewear, introduces its new space in Lyon, conceived as a spatial showcase that reflects both the exclusivity of its collections and the identity of the brand. Recognized internationally and ranked among the top five optical boutiques worldwide, the project articulates a synthesis of design, craftsmanship, and curated retail experience.

The boutique presents a carefully assembled selection of eyewear from international designers, emphasizing rarity, innovation, and the art of detail. Brands originating from diverse cultural contexts, including Japan, France, the United States, and Brazil, are brought together under a unified curatorial vision that foregrounds material precision and aesthetic clarity.

 

Retail Concept

Situated in a new address in Lyon, the store establishes itself as a destination for design-conscious audiences. The relocation marks a strategic evolution, transforming the boutique into a spatial narrative where objects are revealed progressively, fostering a sense of discovery. The retail experience departs from conventional optical environments, instead embracing a philosophy of “quiet luxury,” where discretion, refinement, and personal interaction define the product engagement.

This approach reframes the act of selection as an intimate and almost ritualistic process, where eyewear is introduced gradually, echoing gestures of hospitality and attentiveness. The boutique operates not only as a commercial space but also as a platform supporting independent design and local craftsmanship.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The proposal articulates a contemporary interior language through a restrained yet expressive palette of materials. Pink concrete, dark wood, and brushed metal are combined to construct a layered spatial environment that balances tactility with visual coherence.

The spatial organization unfolds as a sequence of intimate zones, culminating in a boudoir-like setting that enhances the experiential dimension of the visit. This configuration allows for both display and consultation, integrating functional requirements, such as eye testing, within a cohesive and refined architectural framework.

 

 

Material Palette

Materiality plays a central role in defining the identity of the space. The juxtaposition of raw and refined surfaces establishes a dialogue between permanence and precision, while the controlled use of color and texture contributes to an atmosphere of understated sophistication.

The detailing of the interior reinforces the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship, translating the qualities of the eyewear collections into spatial form. Through this approach, the boutique transcends its commercial function, becoming an architectural expression of curated design culture and sensory experience.