AESTHESIS

The revival of the Asteria development is a project of great responsibility, because of both the natural beauty of the location, and also the historical value of its architectural heritage. 

Sitting on a natural cove, only minutes from the Athens center, and being part of what is referred to as the Athenian Riviera, the plot stretches over a lush unspoilt landscape and kilometers of beach, conditions that all make it a unique destination. 

It was conceived in the 1950’s as a holiday destination, as part of a greater scheme of rebranding Greece from the Bank of Greece and the National Tourism Organization. Three young at the time, modernist architects, Vourekas, Dekavalas and Georgiadis, were appointed to design the beachfront facilities, cabanas and bungalows that successfully attracted local and international jetset.

When Nafsika took on the arduous task of reviving Asteria, along with One and Only with the vision to develop a new resort destination, the complex was partially in disuse due to years of exposure to elements and neglect.

Almost as a nod to the history of the place, 3 architectural practices, A6A, AUDO and K-Studio were appointed to collaborate and join forces with the Interior Designers Muselab, in order to bridge the 60 year gap and bring Asteria into the contemporary scene. 

The proposal pays homage and is inspired by the architectural ethos and ingenuity of the original project, responding creatively to contemporary needs for a minimum carbon footprint and conscious construction practices. Utilizing the same architectural language of honesty and naked beauty that is found in the existing modernist buildings, we step on the traces of the original structures to  repurpose the very same local stone, assembled in linear walls to  complement the restored lightweight timber structures. The palette also comprises local greek marbles, thus celebrating materials and techniques employed in the site since its original rise. 

The systematic array of bungalow units provides a beautiful integration of low density, harmonical building, hiding it from view away in the landscape, allowing the latter to take the frontstage of the composition. The buildings further connect to their surroundings by stretching their canopies and walls outwards, creating in-between spaces  in order to blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living.

The architecture celebrates the timid Athenian climate, highlighting ideal setups to enjoy it: underneath the shade of a pergola, overlooking the sea, among the smell of pine trees and the sound of cicadas.