The renowned office of architects, Potiropoulos + Partners, is behind the transformation of an old hotel into ‘The Twist’ in Plaka.

THE ARCHITECTS

The architectural firm Potiropoulos+Partners is renowned for their exceptional designs that transcend the ordinary. Their approach aims to surpass conventional design norms without unnecessary extravagance or attempts to impress. Each detail is meticulously crafted to harmonize with the overall structure and integrate seamlessly into the natural and urban environment, all while maintaining a functional elegance.
This philosophy is echoed in their latest project, an ambitious renovation of a hotel in the heart of the capital. The Twist! This new hospitality gem promises to bridge urban living with the future, setting a new benchmark in hotel design.

THE TWIST

The existing hotel unit is located in one of the most vibrant areas in the center of Athens. The immediate urban environment is dense with narrow streets, retail shops, and tall buildings that recede on the upper floors to allow for direct natural light and unobstructed views of the city. Specifically, is located at the corner of Apollonos and Ipitos streets. One step from the National Garden at Syntagma Square, iconic neighborhoods like Plaka, Monastiraki Square, and Kolokotroni Street surround it.

The architects’s aim is to develop a new concept for the facade, interior layout, and reorganization of the existing building into a luxurious five-star hotel complete with a spa and restaurant. All modifications focus on creating a landmark building for the area that operates seamlessly as a unified whole.
Starting from the ground floor, large glass surfaces reveal the facade to the street. The internal functions engage in a ‘dialogue’ with the street and daily urban life…

The upper floors house the rooms. A three-dimensional facade construction adorns these levels. It uses interconnected sections. These sections form oval shapes, triangles, and gentle curves. The architectural design creates an open building envelope. It faces the neighborhood. The facade visually directs towards the corner. This gives the building a sense of movement.

Moreover, the interconnected facade sections filter light levels through generously proportioned rectangular windows, creating patterns of light and shadows inside. They use sculptural room dividers to achieve privacy between the rooms. Natural planting further enhances this privacy. The natural greenery serves as a morphological tool, adding both privacy and natural beauty to the space.

The white surfaces of The Twist shape gentle, three-dimensional curves that reflect the sky and sun at different angles, producing a multitude of colorful visual effects. Additionally, they strategically develop the materiality and new volume of the building. Alongside the white surfaces, the relief black sections ‘stage’ a play of levels in the foreground. This adds depth to the overall volume, enhancing the architectural presence.

The building is in constant dialogue with passersby, challenging them to understand this complex geometry used in the facade design. As a result, creates a ‘interaction’ with the local community, defining it as a reference point for the center.

CREDIT 3D VISUALIZATION BATIS STUDIO