Manna

Originally built in the late 1920s, by the charity organisation of “Soldier’s Mother”, from whom it took its name, the Manna Sanatorium received patients of tuberculosis who hoped to heal from the benefits of living within the arcadic woods for almost a decade. Designed by Swiss architects, it stirred away from the neoclassical current of the moment in the area, and gave more specific nods to central european architecture characteristics. Even though the location was specifically selected for the ample oxygen of the altitude that would make the care and recovery of patients most efficient, the introduction of penicillin in 1938 made such institutions obsolete, forcing the abandonment of Manna, which later became a mine of building materials for the erection of various neighbouring constructions. The sanatorium was emptied of its equipment from looting, its valuable stone window sills were scattered across newer structures where they found various other uses, while its wooden roof was re-applied in its entirety to a new hospital in the town of Tripoli.

Having spent his childhood summers around that area, Stratis Batayas made a dream come true when he decided to acquire and revive the property, redefining the very same concepts of hospitality, wellness and retreat that made it ideal in its first life cycle, through a contemporary prism to make it a modern sanctuary and a destination in itself. The secluded location, the unspoilt natural surroundings combined with the emblematic architecture of a lost era, inspired us to translate this vision into an optimistic and respectful continuity of this long history.

In order to breathe new life into the walls that were left untouched, to bridge a century-long gap and revive the property without losing its original identity, we had to stick to its roots and project, at the same time, towards a contemporary approach to an ancient concept. With a series of surgical interventions, we attempted to showcase the monumental heritage of the building stock, in order to connect deeply to those roots and purity of the locus.

Collaborating closely with archaeological authorities, and accessing archive material in order to trace the original intentions and reconstruct the absent morphological elements, we took on the thread of history trying our best to pave the way for the building’s future, without being limited from the load of its past.

The client’s ambition was to reinterpret the concept of a sanctuary in the mountains with contemporary terms. The hotel would have to be a place for isolation, as well as community-making and participation in the primary activities of everyday living. It would also have to be a year-round destination, for brief ro longer duration stays, thanks to its close proximity to Athens and the surrounding villages, but also be a destination in itself, for travellers who seek a pure wellness experience in their adventures. It is worth mentioning that one of the most extensive hiking trail networks in Greece is found in the area, so Manna is also a place for those who pursue a deep connection with the great outdoors.

Since the original design intention, that predicted a symmetrical configuration in the building plan and facade, was never completed, we were given the opportunity to renegotiate the access points of the hotel, adding a main entrance to the side facade, and extend its functionality to the footprint of an auxiliary structure that was found derelict, introducing a second, transverse axis to the composition. In order to host all 32 rooms that were part of the brief, and the elements of the hotel operation without compromising the integrity of the main building, we had to connect it to this additional structure. It would also be necessary to find appropriate space for an extra floor of rooms in the attic level, which raised a rather interesting discussion about the morphology of the building and its origins: contrary to the greek equivalents, that would be crowned with a relatively low roof, we proceeded to a geometrical analysis to make a case for a bigger slope in the missing roof, which was eventually agreed upon and justified by the original project blueprints, making a nod to the central-european roots of the building concept. 

Inside the rooms, a timber space grid of brushed treated timber is reflected on the floor patterns of terrazzo and marble to organise and define sub-areas of sleep, bathing, dressing etc. Textured glass fills the grid wherever needed, metal detailing complements the palette, and soft fabrics add an extra layer of comfort. Room amenities are as honest and exposed, with open wardrobes & semi-transparencies to provide a filter of privacy. The grid feature is a heritage from signature original elements, like the iron doors with their exquisite detailing in their muntins, and reappears in floor patterns all over the building.

Key to the revival of Manna is the subtle reinvention of its material palette, from structure all the way to every little detail. 

The building itself was one of the first samples of a mixed structural system in Greece, with the  appearance of the applied structural concrete in the slabs that are supported by the two longitudinal stonewalls. This novelty was dictated and revealed in the remarkable spans of the spaces, as seen in the main hall of the lower levels, that made the introduction of concrete beams indispensable. As we move towards the top levels of the building envelope, the need for structural efficiency dictates lightness in materials, and so masonry is interpreted by bricks. This logic peaks on the roof, with the lightweight timber crown structure.

A special structural comprehension is demonstrated in the main walls that are perforated with door openings in an asymmetrical pattern that facilitates the transfer of vertical loads, and explains the characteristic difference in the opening heights between the two sides of the corridors. The thick stonewalls embody a century-old wisdom in energy efficiency of building, which was enhanced by further insulation wherever needed, in order to minimise mechanical support in the climatisation of interiors. 

Manna aspires to establish itself as a timeless sanctuary where one gets lost only to find oneself again. Breeding a strong sense of community in the gathering spaces, preserving the impression of the lost sanatorium where healing took place in isolation, space for connection to oneself is paramount. Grande common spaces and secluded areas coexist to allow for opening up to the community, or closing up for introspection; the woods are an ideal scenery in order to discover the past of the property, and come closer to the essence of the locus. The F&B venue and the spa aspire to become standalone attractions, with the contribution of renowned specialists who know how to elevate the everyday vital habits into rituals, while the inevitable contact with the arcadic landscape will be enhanced with the arrival of additional tracks for hikes and other outdoors activities in a mapped territory specifically reserved for a fuller experience.