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

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.

Fabric in interior design

The fabric is one of the most important parts of interior design that highlights the space and adds a touch of warmth and immediacy. The coordination and choice of fabrics is one of the key elements for an integrated decorative effect. There is so much variety in yarns and designs, which makes fabric the most flexible mean to add texture, color and pattern in a space, as well as create a specific mood and ambience.

Pillows, throws, sofa fabrics and any other use of fabric, as a mean of epidermal decoration, transform a space and give the character and style it deserves. Linen, cotton, silk, wool, geometric motifs, floral and ethnic prints, an endless palette of textures, colors and designs, combined appropriately to give any room a distinctive personality. A variety of fabrics and textures is the secret to give to a plain and indifferent space a 3dimensional, layered sensation.

The creative use of fabrics could transform and give strong personality to a space, combining the traditional architecture of Santorini with the mysterious, warm and full of colors Arabian and Indian design through a contemporary point of view, creating a multicultural and very special outcome that reflects the interaction of the island with foreign cultures for many centuries. There are no rules, there are no limits, only personal taste. 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.

Tips for stylish results:

• Maintain a similar overall color theme. Of course, this does not apply to the colors used as contrast colors.

• Use the lighter color of the fabric for accessories like pillows, candles, etc.

• To create interest, simply combine fabrics with different weave and relief elements. For example, use silks and cottons.

• Mix different fabric patterns sizes.

Relaxing in our luxury creations....

Perched atop the most stunning  volcanic cliffs of Santorini,resembling a quaint Cycladic village, discover the Astra Suites hotel of peaceful Imerovigli village in Santorini, Greece! Breathtaking panoramic views of the mysterious caldera, a sleeping volcano, and the endless blue Aegean sea, Astra Suites is now listed in the Top 25 Hotels of the World, as chosen by TripAdvisor members and awarded by Conde' Nast Johansens at the Most Romantic Hotel for 2014 & as "best Service" for 2015.

Renowned as Santorini’s most celebrated villa, the Architect’s House is truly one-of-a-kind! Just minutes away from the vibrant town of Fira, yet worlds apart, this dazzling villa blends the ultimate architectural style and mesmerizing interior design with the eternal exquisite beauty of Santorini!

 The villa unites authentic local character and contemporary glamour with unrivalled hospitality, creating a sensational, idyllic ambience which can be found nowhere else on the whole island!

Experience the tranquil ambience of traditional Pyrgos, along with the authentic elegance and luxury of the small Architect’s House!

The small Architect's House is a stylish two-story villa located in the heart of the traditional village of Pyrgos. As most residences in this charming, picturesque village, it follows the unique architecture of Santorini. The ground floor is partially into the volcanic soil, like the well-known cave houses, while the upper level offers a spectacular, panoramic view of the island and the caldera from above!