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.

Reconstruction Complex: 4 seasons, 4 perfect movements in harmony with each other

The complex of four villas is situated in a peaceful location at the village of Vourvoulos in Santorini. Vourvoulos is located 3.7 km north from Fira, 2.5 km east from Imerovigli, right in the center of the northern part of the island. It is amphitheatrically built facing the northeast and the east coast of the island. The original architecture of the village is a pure sample of the traditional Santorinian architecture.

The old complex of four houses was reconstructed and transformed, from the bearing structure, into a luxurious villas’ complex with private spacious patios and pools, fully harmonized with the natural environment and the beautiful view of the Aegean sea. Every villa has two bedrooms with private bathroom and can accomodate up to 5 people. Architects main concept was to highlight the traditional island architecture and combined it with contemporary design, elegance and modern amenities in a total white scenery with the use of color to give a touch of uniqueness.

The design concept and the decoration style that is followed to the internal and external spaces is a journey through time, through the four seasons of the year. Each villa is inspired by the color palette of a season, the romantic spring, the vivid and fresh summer, the ethnic autumn and the contemporary winter. A mix of genres and trends, a combination of materials, multicultural journey. The traditional architecture combined with the principles of modern design, the graceful architecture of Cyclades completed with notes of the Arabia and East creating multidimensional spaces with distinct personality.

Particular attention has been given to landscaping with the use of flowers, plants and trees in order to continue the interior color palette to the outdoor spaces. The creation of a pool in every villa contributes to improve the quality of the final aesthetic result. The user's contact with water, inevitably creates a sense of intimacy and psychological comfort that contribute to relaxation and tranquility.

iSuites are designed by Oikos Architecture www.tsebelis.com

Photography by Thanos Rivios 

Blue Canaves Oia: old Vinsanto canava renovated into a luxurious villa

Blue Canaves Villa served as a winery and cellar or “canava” for producing Vinsanto at the turn of the last century. The beautiful organic shape and proportions of the smooth walls, vaulted ceilings and arched openings tell the story of the house and how it was constructed by carving into the soft pumice stone earth of the village hills.

The old canava renovated into a luxurious villa ideal for honeymoon or a romantic get-away in Santorini. The spectacular private courtyard spanning the famous caldera cliffs, neighboring villages, glistening blue Aegean and infinite azure skies capture the imagination and awaken the soul.
The interior residence, individually designed and defined by the ultimate in comfort. It consists of a sensual living room with double jacuzzi, fully equipped kitchen area, a romantic double bedroom and a glamorous  bathroom.

A warm and elegant living area with handcraft jacuzzi. Celebrate your personal occasion accompanied by campagne in the jacuzzi and feel the divine touch of luxury. Hand selected furnitures and exquisitely arranged details complete the imposing living area which leads to the kitchen and bedroom.

The bedroom with the whitewashed interior, sleeping area is providing island warmth and grandeur. Simple yet luxurious, the bedroom provides optimum relaxation for genuine connoisseurs of luxury living. The kitchen with the smooth lines and bright colors is fully equipped with high quality appliances and utensils, ideal for preparing meals to enjoy in your private courtyard.

Bathroom is resplendent in harmonious hues of the Caldera and the sea of the Aegean. The interior of this curvy shower is glamorous and sparkling. Bold splashes of local art adorn the sculpted plaster walls. 

Sensational private courtyard overlooking the Aegean Sea. Sun lounge offers picture perfect azure views straight to the caldera and volcano. Open-air dining area on the upper deck with built-in sofa and table for 3 persons, ideal to enjoy your wine with the amazing sky colours during the sunset.

Blue Canaves Villa is designed by Oikos Architecture www.tsebelis.com

Skyfall Suites: magic "falls" from the sky

The Skyfall Suites, perched on the cliff of the hill in a prime location in the center of the island with magnificent views of the endless Aegean Sea, fully justifies its name as appears to "fall" from the sky.

The Skyfall Suites is located just 500 meters from the central square of the picturesque village of Pyrgos, the old capital of Santorini island until 1800, just below the medieval castle and in a short distance from the airport, the port and the capital of the island, Fira.

Skyfall is comprised of seventeen private suites with outdoor private swimming pools or jacuzzis where guests can enjoy undisturbed views and the mystical energy of Santorini.

The design concept and the decoration style that is followed to the internal and external spaces is a mix of genres and trends, a combination of materials, a journey through space and time. The Skyfall Suites is characterized by the combination of conflicting and disparate elements into a single outcome that strongly bears the stamp and signature of the designer. The traditional architecture combined with the principles of modern design, the graceful architecture of Cyclades completed with notes of the Arabia and East architecture, creating multidimensional spaces with distinct personality.

Particular attention has been given to landscaping with the use of sail as a shading system and the creation of private pool or Jacuzzi in every suite. The choice of sails (shade sails) as shading system except protection from sunlight and achieving privacy between the suites is a reference to architecture from the East and is fully integrated with the central design idea of "swinging" of Skyfall Suites.

The creation of a pool or Jacuzzi in every suite contributes to improve the quality of the final aesthetic result. The user's contact with water, the fundamental natural element that is a prerequisite for the development of all life, inevitably creates a sense of intimacy and psychological comfort that contribute to relaxation and tranquility.

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