Architecture enthusiasts can now book a stay at a new hotspot on the Greek island of Syros. Ateno Architecture Studio has designed Olen, a resort that seems to be carved into the coastal cliffs.
The Greek islands are well-known for their beautiful, sometimes rugged coasts with crystal-blue waters. However, the once-natural coastlines are increasingly touched by development projects that are profoundly changing their outlook. Developing local tourism while preserving the natural aspect of the landscape is thus an ongoing challenge.
When designing Olen, a resort situated on the Greek island of Syros, that challenge was undoubtedly part of Ateno Architecture Studio’s mission. Instead of simply building the seven-suite resort on its cliff-edge overlooking the Aegean Sea, the studio opted for a semi-built-in “amphitheatrical” resort approach.
The resort is thus half-hidden, using a combination of terraces, subterranean rooms, and skylights to blend the building into its surroundings.
“Olen is located on a remote site on the island of Syros, where the natural landscape still prevails over the built environment. The core design ambition was to preserve this balance, despite the project’s brief calling for a relatively large-scale intervention. The project is not defined by the composition of 3D objects, but rather by the assembly of horizontal and vertical surfaces – terrace planes, retaining walls, and cuts in the terrain – allowing the architecture to read as embedded in the landscape itself”, Elias Theodorakis and Yiorgos Fiorentinos, co-founders of Ateno Architecture Studio, told design media outlet Dezeen.
An original approach
Instead of opting for a one-level building, Olen was divided into three separate levels: The Plane, The Line, and The Point. A zigzagging walkway connects the three, while the resort becomes more intimate and more exclusive as one descends the pathway.
While the non-hidden side of the buildings is mainly terracotta-hued, on the inside, guests will encounter a combination of natural materials. Stone walls are combined with wooden accents, and the off-white colour of the floors is reflected in the ceilings. Overall, the feeling is one of openness and light, despite its underground situation.
“Each of our seven suites is a tribute to timeless elegance, inspired by the soulful melodies of Demis Roussos. Designed to harmonise with the raw beauty of Syros, every space offers a unique experience – whether suspended above the Aegean, nestled in nature, or immersed in pure tranquility”, Olen resort writes on its website.
Prices for a stay at Olen start at €268 per night for a two-person suite, including breakfast and access to the resort’s common pool.
