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.

Escape the ordinary

The "Oikos Architecture" office by Nikos and Frantseska Tsebelis located in Pyrgos, Santorini, has been in business for the past 30 years specializing in design and construction. Our work is aimed at maintaining and developing further the traditional Greek Cycladic Architectural style, respecting at the same time the nature and needs of the Modern Age. We're also incorporating modern elements using natural materials, contemporary techniques and multi-cultural ideas. Giving emphasis both to exterior and interior design, a variety of forms and shapes are used to create a unique synthesis that best combines with the natural environment.

You can follow our website link to browse through some of our projects: www.tsebelis.com

We're fully aware that we are going through a very tough and tight on time construction season, wherein all of us - engineers, owners, and staff - are working feverishly towards one and the same goal, to have everything ready for the start of the summer season. In order therefore to avoid last minute renovation decisions causing problems in securing the cooperation of competent and well trained staff, and furthermore in order to avoid unnecessary delays in the completion of  any forthcoming projects, we would like to inform you that starting right from the very first days of the new year, 2016, our office will undertake to evaluate any expressed interest by our perspective clients on new projects that will be scheduled to start after the end of the 2016 summer season.

We aim at continuously evolving and organizing the services that we offer to the utmost benefit and satisfaction of our clients. Bearing above in mind, our proposal to anyone who wishes to express interest by putting forward a new project is to complete within the coming 2016 summer season the design part of the project, and to obtain the required licenses. An equally important part of the above process is organizing the necessary work-crews for individual projects, and making the appropriate project management and supervision arrangements in order to keep the work carried out in each project within its scheduled time frame.

Should you be interested in discussing with us your next project needs, please contact us by telephone or e-mail and we’ll be happy to oblige!

Happy holidays!

The color as a design tool

Color is the codification of human nervous system to distinguish the wavelengths of light, incident on the sensor organ of vision.

Color is an integral part in human life as everything surrounds us. Color moves us and expresses our feelings, affects our mood, reveals part of our character and shapes our psychology. Each color has its own "power" and expresses different emotions.

Human's relationship with color dictated by nature, which is the most important color inspiration. The images and influences, natural environment gives us, are so many and so rich that are imprinted in our memory and consciousness and are identified with colors and words. Besides many shades defined with names derived directly from nature, such as the blue of the sea, the red of fire, the vibrant green of leaves, the sand beige or the lemon yellow. So the color palette is the vocabulary of colors in nature.

Color and architecture are integral, indivisible and interrelated concepts through time. Always color in history of architecture was an important element in the building’s form. Especially in the traditional architecture of many cultures polychromy predominated, with colors that usually came from the natural environment of each region.

The way modern movement used the color has played a significant role in the image of contemporary city. The way is not simply decorative but more structural and substantial, color describes masses even different functions and movements through building’s space. Color in Architecture is used as a design tool to highlight the architectural elements, the route, the engraving and signage, the use and gives identity and character.

The water element in architecture

Water, the essential element for the existence and development of life, is directly related to the design as dominant composition feature, revealing architecture’s dynamics.

Water is an extremely useful synthetic tool. Besides improving the quality of the final aesthetic result, contributes to the local microclimate, with an environmentally friendly way, through natural cooling. The water through evaporation absorbs heat from the moving air masses, achieving the natural cooling of the building.

Water has certain features, which with appropriate manipulations, may highlight it into the dominant element of architectural synthesis. Primarily, water is a transparent element which allows passage of light there through and generally can be interposed between the observer and any structural or decorative element, without eliminating the sense of sight.

Additionally, pictorial interest may show the variations of shapes and colors, which occur due to the refraction of the water passing through "filter" light. On the other hand, particular interest has the feature of every water surface to behave as a mirror. This implies the fact, that the architect is able to reproduce the image of all or part of the shell, if the architectural design reasons require it.

The integration of the water element in the architectural design implies some direct effects on the user. At first, water is a natural element and a prerequisite for the development of life. Contact with this specific natural element, inevitably creates a sense of intimacy and psychological comfort. Meanwhile, the water, which can be at rest, intense activity, or even in an intermediate of these two extreme conditions state, is able to create plurality of different emotions. In addition, should not be overlooked the role of each water element as a visual, auditory or a combination of both stimulus.

In conclusion, water may be included in architecture with various ways, offering increased interest and strongly diversified nature final results, always according to current requirements and the limits of designer’s imagination.

Renovation: an old canava into a luxurious villa

Watch a renovation's integrated process video of an old canava, in the picturesque village of Pyrgos in Santorini, into a luxurious villa. Tradition meets contemporary design and modern amenities. The purity of plasticity is combined with the delicacy of natural materials and the beauty of patterns, creating a multicultural concept with high respect in traditional architecture.

ASSOCIATES

We have chosen our precious associates very carefully in order to assist our clients and offer ultimate service in all aspects.

We are happy to present Estia Real Estate in Santorini, a well-established real estate agency, specializing in properties on the island. A trustworthy partner that provides all kinds of professional services, finding land or buildings for our clients in order to build or renovate.

We love and share their moto:‘’Everyone needs trust before facing new challenges”!

While you are in Santorini either on holidays or on a business trip we have the pleasure of introducing the Architect’s Villa on the Caldera Cliff in Oia and the Small Architect’s Houses  in Pyrgos Village. It’s a great opportunity to see a brilliant sample of our work as well as feel the traditional materials that we use with great respect, while relaxing and dreaming of a house like that… !

Before-After

Renovations

With respect to tradition, we engage the past with the present to create unique, functional spaces and buildings.