Designers: ATENO Architecture Studio Year:
2026 Photography: Yiorgis Yerolymbos
Lead Architects: Elias Theodorakis, Yiorgos Fiorentinos
Structural Engineering: Stavros Theodorakis, Evaggelia Tekou, Tesseract Engineers
MEP Engineering: Leonardos Roussos
Manager: Ioannis Giannakas (3axes)
City: Syros
Nation: Greece
The Olen Resort in Syros is developed as a discreet architectural intervention embedded within a high, south-facing coastal surface neglecting the Aegean Sea. Developed as a multi-level residential retreat, the task negotiates the demands of programmatic complexity while keeping a restrained visual existence within the landscape. Organized through a clear geometric framework, the resort is articulated into 3 unique yet interrelated components that respond straight to topography, orientation, and the experiential qualities of the site.
We love Kourasani. Kourasani is a mortar made from ceramic powder with roots in ancient construction strategies, utilized in a way comparable to modern-day plaster. Its most significant characteristic is its rough finish, which offers strong mechanical residential or commercial properties– ideal for rural tasks. It is produced in various colours that weather perfectly gradually with minimal upkeep, while its warm terracotta-hued variation develops serene spaces that balance completely with the Mediterranean landscapes where our projects lie.
Interview with Elias Theodorakis & Yiorgos Fiorentinos of Ateno Architecture Studio
Instead of enforcing a singular architectural gesture, the task operates through a system of spatial stratification that emphasizes both separation and continuity. The design reflects an intentional effort to reduce visual disturbance, employing partially submerged volumes and locally sourced products to combine built kind with natural context. Each unit within the resort preserves autonomy while adding to a cohesive spatial story defined by movement, privacy, and shared experience.
The architectural idea is structured around 3 primary elements recognized as the Aircraft, the Line, and the Point, each inhabiting a specific position along the coming down slope. At the uppermost level, the Aircraft operates as a common balcony framed by an arched keeping wall that develops both spatial enclosure and circulation. This aspect incorporates ramps and stairs while embedding interior areas within the terrain, enabling the architecture to decline into the landscape.
Olen Resort/ ATENO Architecture Studio 46 Olen Resort/ ATENO Architecture Studio 47 Midway along the website, the Line introduces a linear, recessed structure accommodating 2 independent living systems. Its downplayed exterior, set back underneath a longitudinal overhang, decreases visual prominence and enhances its role as a background aspect within the structure. The versatility of adjoining outdoor areas enables differing degrees of privacy and connection between residents.