Oikos Architecture: Estate's Argyros new winery premises

Estate’s Argyros new winery premises, the radical dynamic project of Oikos Architecture is successfully completed

and promotes the traditional architecture of Santorini through a modern aspect, proudly, all over the world.

The vernacular architecture of Santorini is a splendid example of a built space skillfully adapted to a harsh natural setting, a natural example of the interaction between the four elements (fire, water, earth, air) of nature according to ancient philosophy. The landscape still bears clear marks of the gigantic volcanic eruption that gave the formation of the island as it is today.

This modern way of thinking where design assigns priority to the reason and function is everywhere in traditional architecture of Santorini. Nature is the chief designer: climate, earthquakes, materials scarcity, and topography had been the primary design parameters, and were respected with admirable integrity and ingenuity.

In such context, the respect of the landscape, that its beauty and uniqueness were created from a massive destruction, is the only way. Contemporary architecture of Santorini should respect and highlight the tradition and combine it with the modern design. Those were the thoughts during the design process of the Estate's Argyros new winery premises by Oikos Architecture.

Estate’s Argyros new winery premises construction was finished in 2016. Estate Argyros was established in 1903 and is run today by Matthew Argyros, 4th generation of winemaking and 8th generation of viniculture. Located in the heart of estate’s vineyards, in Episkopi Gonia, surrounded by 42ha of vines, including some of the oldest vines on the island (over 150 years old). Estate’s Argyros new premises consist of the wine tasting hall, the offices area, the chemical laboratory and cellars area.

Oikos Architecture got the lead at new winery premises project after the completion of the bearing structure. Building’s wrong orientation in the land, regarding the view and the vineyards, was the most important problem architects’ had to overcome. Architects’ main concept was to turn building’s axes to the sea view and the vineyards. Estate Argyros is the only winery in Santorini that is placed among perfectly aligned vines. Our aim was the new winery to be a conceivable extension of the vineyards as it emerges through the old vines.

 The source of design inspiration was the traditional architecture of Santorini through a modern point of view. Vaults, arched windows, solid volumes, niches, thick masonry walls with small openings, the whitewashed plaster skin, all the traditional architectural elements were deconstructed and reformed into a contemporary way. The main design idea and priority was to create a construction in perfect harmony with the stunning natural environment, emerged through the vineyards, that would be characterized by simplicity, plasticity and scale, combining the traditional airy architecture of Santorini with the modern design.

The sequence of the great arches at the entrance orientated to the vineyards, the white, organic, flowing sculpture ceiling at the main wine tasting hall and the grand arched openings consist the most important reference to the traditional architecture of Santorini. The main color inside the winery is the pure white of minimalist Cycladic architecture. The use of natural materials, warm inviting color palette, elegant furniture with references to traditional elements and a touch of modern design, create a relaxing and sensational ambience indoors and outdoors, ideal for exploring and tasting the indigenous grape varieties in perfect harmony with the unique spirit, eternal beauty and energy of authentic Santorini.

Estate’s Argyros new winery premises are designed by Oikos Architecture www.tsebelis.com

Photography by Michalis Kouvalis

Inspirational bathroom designs: a wellness space turns into a work of art

Good design can have a positive influence on our way of life. It’s nothing about extravagance, it’s about the simplicity of something beautiful and functional that brings pleasure in the everyday life. Good design is inspirational.

Almost everything surrounds us is the result of someone’s creative vision. What moves you is as personal and unique as the millions of designs we encounter daily. A good design intends to create a personal and comfortable environment, customized to specific needs, desired aesthetic and architectural integrity. Good design is EVERYTHING.

Bathroom is the space in which begins and ends the day of every man, and therefore of particular importance. A wellness area, airy, sunny, full of color and architectural beauty ideal for body cleansing and spirit relaxation. The contact with the water, the most important natural element for the development of life, inevitably creates a sense of intimacy and psychological comfort.

Modern bathrooms create a simplistic and clean feeling. From bright and vivid to sophisticated and imposing, modern bathrooms have long gone beyond the limit of space. In decoration there are no rules and shouldn’t be, just personal taste and beautiful spaces that inspire their owners the feeling of wellness, comfort and tranquility. Countless combinations of patterns and colors create a unique style by transforming a simple space into a work of art, following two key words: harmony and balance.

Stunning, fresh, bright colored, smooth lined, fine detailed traditional bathrooms are the characteristic morphological feature of all projects of Oikos Architecture. All edges are rounded, thus creating the illusion that the actual dimension is lost and the whole scenery is characterized by plasticity and movement, like an organic form that flows through space and time, like a sculpture emerges through the mystical energy and eternal beauty of Santorini. The wide use of natural materials and concrete preformed into unique forms, creates a special effect perfectly assimilated by the natural environment that combines traditional island architecture with modern design, comfort, functionality, ergonomics and luxury.

Astra Suites Renovation project: Shine among the stars

Perched atop the most stunning volcanic cliffs of Santorini, resembling a picturesque Cycladic village, discover the Astra Suites hotel of peaceful Imerovigli village in Santorini, Greece! Breathtaking panoramic views of the mysterious caldera, the sleeping volcano, and the endless blue Aegean sea, Astra Suites is now listed in the Top 25 Hotels of the World and fully justifies its name as one of the stars, meaning of “Astra”, of Santorini island.

Astra Suites is located at Imerovigli, the second largest settlement on Santorini after Fira, the main town and capital. Though, Imerovigli maintains a totally quaint character, making it the most tranquil of all settlements on the western coast of the island. It is, by far, the most picturesque ‘balcony’ the island has to flaunt, boasting countless specimens of authentic Santorinian architecture and some of the most appreciated views in the world…

Astra Suites is comprised of private suites, most of them with outdoor private swimming pools or jacuzzis where guests can enjoy undisturbed views and the mystical energy of Santorini at the spacious verandas.

The design concept and the decoration style that is followed to the renovation project is a mix of genres and trends, a combination of natural materials, a journey through colors and textures. The traditional architecture is highlighted by the principles of modern design, the graceful architecture of Cyclades combined with the convenience of modern amenities and create a relaxing and sensational ambience indoors and outdoors, ideal for guests wishing feel the unique spirit and energy of authentic Santorini.

Astra Suites are designed by Oikos Architecture www.tsebelis.com

Mix ’n Match in design

"Mix 'n match" is a synthesis of textures and trends, a combination of materials and different architectural styles, a journey through space and time. A harmonious, calm and balanced combination of elements that seem to be entirely different and mismatched at first sight, but combined appropriately create a distinctive outcome.

In decoration there are no rules and shouldn’t be, just beautiful spaces that inspire their owners the feeling of wellness, comfort and tranquility. The interior design of a space should reflect the owners' lifestyle, culture, taste and experiences, should reflect their own personality.

Mix and match is ideal for people with vibrant and intense personality, who don’t comport with plain and characterless spaces but instead have the willingness to experiment and change, combine influences and images from different decoration styles and create a unique and very special effect that reflects their own way of life.

Oikos Architecture works, characterized by the skillfully combination of conflicting and disparate elements into a unique and perfectly balanced outcome that strongly bears the designer’s signature. The traditional architecture combined with the principles of contemporary design, functionality and modern amenities. Cycladic airy architecture of Santorini, borrows elements from the traditional Mykonian design, meets the strong and load-bearing architecture of Mani, while the final effect is completed with a sense of Moroccan and Indian design, creating multidimensional and intercontinental spaces with distinct personality that suit perfectly with the vibrating ambience and mystical character of Santorini.