- Interior
If Scandinavia and Japan had a child, it would live in O Lofos. This project belongs to the portfolio of Block722, an interior architecture studio in Athens. With this residential design, they confirm one of their clearest strengths: uniting different influences in a cohesive whole. Here, respect for traditional crafts resonates against pale walls and open lines.
O Lofos is a residential design where the rough edge of the Cretan landscape leads the way. Balanced, discrete, and generous are only a few adjectives that define this attractive home. The client is lucky to have a property at the foot of the Thrypti mountain; a place where the steady hand of Greek nature takes the stage. In the first place, the architectural plans unfolded around the idea that this modern house needed to originate from a profound respect for its surroundings. In order to make the most of the inclined location, the architects opted for working with levels instead of steps.
Sensitive, organic, and speaking a confident language that purifies and refreshes
The home consists of numerous smaller volumes that are connected through clever routes and so-called in-between zones. The latter are places that float somewhere between indoor and outdoor. For example, the main body has the shape of two low buildings that are linked by means of a semi-closed space with a water ornament. Even though O Lofos is located amidst Greek beauty, Block722’s love for Scandinavian design also has a permanent role here, this time combined with aspects from Japanese architecture. They did so by focusing on simple lines that at times border with severity but are exactly then accompanied by the Greek sun. The final design is sensitive, organic, and speaks a confident language that purifies and refreshes. By blending minimalistic sobriety with a fascination for visual warmth, the team created a whole that is in tune with experiencing tranquillity. Local knowledge and talent can make a good project great. In accordance with that idea, Block722 called on different craftspeople to help them strengthen the authenticity and traditional aspect of the property. They could rely on several experts who took on both architectural delicacies and furniture. Therefore, it is almost evident that most of the furniture pieces were made to measure and were created especially for O Lofos. The returning materials include marble, stone, wood, and terrazzo. Together these form a harmonious palette that is completely parallel with the overall tone of the design. The same goes for the selection of colours, since these mainly consist of neutral, earthy tones. Art was another essential part of the composition that the studio wanted to obtain in the interior. The sculpture of the Greek artist Pantelis Chandris, which measures almost three on one-and-a-halve metres, was made especially for the home. In O Lofos, the conviviality of Scandinavian simplicity is assisted by the honesty of Japanese architecture. Block722 designed a spacious residence that interacts with the local splendour of Greece throughout the entire line. From the tactile material palette to the carefully composed layout: this home does not disappoint in any way.
Do you want to know more about O Lofos? Read the full article in Imagicasa Winter 2022.
Photography by Ana Santl