Smili chisel (in English): a tool with a long metal blade that has a sharp edge for cutting, wood, stone, etc.
≈ συνώνυμα: καλέμι, κοπίδι, σκαρπέλο
Our Architectural office undertook the completion and restoration of a seven-storey building located at the junction of Achilleos and Thermopylon Streets, right at the entrance gate of the city of Athens. The building had remained in the structural stage since the late 1970's. An envelope that has gone through serious deterioration as a result of the 5 decades of abandonment and structural problems due to the hasty way of the original concreting.
Initially we were asked to study the way of complete structural restoration and the harmonization of the shell with the current seismic armouring standards. The building needs strengthening in all its structural elements.
At the same time, we were commissioned to transform it into an elegant luxury hotel unit, consisting of 12 unique suites that can accommodate from 2 to 4 people each, while on the ground floor an extroverted bar - restaurant is created that serves both the hotel and the wider neighborhood.
The particular shape of the property, as well as the need for introspection due to its location, led the architectural team to a geometric composition of simplifying the complex corners of the shell and creating semi-outdoor spaces to accompany the interior layout. The goal was to achieve as much privacy as possible and sound protection from the bustling avenues that surround the property. Linear planting elements along the exoskeletons soften the visual harshness of the surroundings, while we used targeted artificial lighting to highlight the exterior sculpture accentuates the recesses, mostly of tabular floorplan.
An external insulation coverage, imitating a natural stone effect, made by STO Company, was chosen for the entire building, using a self-cleaning paint that is at the same time resistant to intense urban pollution, contributing to the longevity of the façade with minimum maintenance costs. The extensive reinforcements of the load-bearing structure are hidden behind the sculptural façade in order to be indistinguishable even to the experienced eye, while the sharp-edged cut-outs aim to reduce the visual volume of the overall shell.
Design Team:
Antonis Gavalas
Tasos Karnesis
Vania Angelopoulou
Xenia Sotiropoulou
Marissa Goula
Giorgos Mavrogiannis
She was born and raised in Athens. She studied architecture at the School of Architecture of the University of Patras, from which she graduated in 2015. In 2019, she completed the Interdepartmental Postgraduate Program at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), specializing in "Urban and Regional Planning." Since 2018, she has been a member of the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE). Since 2016, she has collaborated with technical and architectural firms in Athens mostly on small- and medium-scale projects, taking on an enhanced role in the development of the projects—from the preliminary design and presentation stage to construction supervision. She has participated in workshops in Greece and abroad and has taught Urban Planning as part of her auxiliary teaching duties during her postgraduate studies. She believes that architecture is a dynamic process and seeks continuous growth in her professional career and the acquisition of new knowledge.
She was born in Athens and graduated from the School of Architecture at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH). She has specialized training in "Landscape Technology and Planting Design" (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens) and, since 2024, has been a Certified Passive Building Designer (Hellenic Passive Building Institute).
She has worked in Greece and Serbia, undertaking the design and supervision of residential, office, catering, agrotourism, and children's creative activity projects, as well as the extension of a floating hotel (BIG SEE Awards distinction). In addition, he has been involved in the drafting of technical specifications for architectural materials.
At the same time, he has participated in international and national architectural design competitions, including: "Europan 6" (Distinction: 2nd runners-up), "DROMEAS Office Stores" (Distinction: First runners-up), "Room 18," "Cook 8," "Pandemic Architecture."
Έχει συγγράψει το βιβλίο με τίτλο «Κτίρια Ελλήνων της Διασποράς σε μια Θετή Πατρίδα» (Ζέμουν – Βελιγράδι, 18ος–20ός αιώνας).
She is distinguished for her sensitivity and particular interest in sustainable architecture and innovation, with an emphasis on the creation of energy-autonomous building shells and architectural landscapes.