The project involves the renovation of the headquarters of IDEAL HOLDINGS, a Greek investment company, within a five-storey building in Kolonos, a historic and densely built neighbourhood in the north-western centre of Athens. The intervention focuses on the ground floor and the fifth floor and is driven by a key design parameter: because the building is not owned by the company, the brief required that all interventions remain fully reversible.
Rather than treating this condition as a limitation, the architectural proposal adopts it as a conceptual starting point. The design introduces a “light envelope” that adapts to the existing shell, conceived almost as a garment that dresses the building and could be removed in the future without leaving permanent traces.
In this way, reversibility becomes a design strategy. Through lightweight, detachable structures and clear geometric forms, the project establishes a contemporary yet understated identity while remaining fully compatible with the existing structure. The concept runs consistently throughout the project, informing both the material palette and the spatial organisation.
The design aimed to create an attractive and human-centered workplace that supports wellbeing, collaboration and creativity, in line with the principles of the WELL standards. An open-plan layout encourages interaction and the exchange of ideas, while natural daylight, soft colour tones and the integration of planting contribute to a calm and balanced working environment.
On the ground floor, the atrium has been reimagined as a welcoming reception and meeting space, functioning as an “urban living room” and the social heart of the building. Located at the intersection of the building’s circulation routes, the atrium becomes a point of encounter and interaction. A defining architectural feature is a white perforated metal mesh that wraps around the staircase and extends vertically to the fifth floor. Combined with climbing plants, the mesh evokes the atmosphere of a semi-outdoor space, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow throughout the day. Arched openings visually connect the atrium with the surrounding workspaces, while terrazzo flooring and the predominance of white surfaces reinforce a sense of spatial continuity and transparency.
The project’s functionality is based on a clear and flexible spatial layout. Work areas, meeting rooms and informal breakout spaces coexist within an adaptable framework that accommodates different modes of working. Acoustic panels ensure comfortable sound conditions, while the careful placement of infrastructure allows the office layout to evolve over time.
The fifth floor houses the executive offices. Here, an entrance defined by transparent elements draws views inward, reinforcing the sense of openness and continuity established throughout the building. The floor includes a meeting room, offices for the CEO and CFO, and supporting spaces. A soft grey wall finish complements the dominant white palette, creating a restrained and refined interior atmosphere. Large existing openings allow abundant natural light to enter, while adjustable roller blinds provide visual comfort and privacy, reducing glare on screens without blocking daylight.
Overall, the renovation modernizes the headquarters while respecting the requirement to preserve the building’s interior spaces intact, demonstrating how reversible design strategies can shape a workplace that fosters employee well-being and productivity.
Rather than treating this condition as a limitation, the architectural proposal adopts it as a conceptual starting point. The design introduces a “light envelope” that adapts to the existing shell, conceived almost as a garment that dresses the building and could be removed in the future without leaving permanent traces.
In this way, reversibility becomes a design strategy. Through lightweight, detachable structures and clear geometric forms, the project establishes a contemporary yet understated identity while remaining fully compatible with the existing structure. The concept runs consistently throughout the project, informing both the material palette and the spatial organisation.
The design aimed to create an attractive and human-centered workplace that supports wellbeing, collaboration and creativity, in line with the principles of the WELL standards. An open-plan layout encourages interaction and the exchange of ideas, while natural daylight, soft colour tones and the integration of planting contribute to a calm and balanced working environment.
On the ground floor, the atrium has been reimagined as a welcoming reception and meeting space, functioning as an “urban living room” and the social heart of the building. Located at the intersection of the building’s circulation routes, the atrium becomes a point of encounter and interaction. A defining architectural feature is a white perforated metal mesh that wraps around the staircase and extends vertically to the fifth floor. Combined with climbing plants, the mesh evokes the atmosphere of a semi-outdoor space, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow throughout the day. Arched openings visually connect the atrium with the surrounding workspaces, while terrazzo flooring and the predominance of white surfaces reinforce a sense of spatial continuity and transparency.
The project’s functionality is based on a clear and flexible spatial layout. Work areas, meeting rooms and informal breakout spaces coexist within an adaptable framework that accommodates different modes of working. Acoustic panels ensure comfortable sound conditions, while the careful placement of infrastructure allows the office layout to evolve over time.
The fifth floor houses the executive offices. Here, an entrance defined by transparent elements draws views inward, reinforcing the sense of openness and continuity established throughout the building. The floor includes a meeting room, offices for the CEO and CFO, and supporting spaces. A soft grey wall finish complements the dominant white palette, creating a restrained and refined interior atmosphere. Large existing openings allow abundant natural light to enter, while adjustable roller blinds provide visual comfort and privacy, reducing glare on screens without blocking daylight.
Overall, the renovation modernizes the headquarters while respecting the requirement to preserve the building’s interior spaces intact, demonstrating how reversible design strategies can shape a workplace that fosters employee well-being and productivity.
