- Project: Glyfada
- Architect: ARRCC, SAOTA
- Location: Greece, Athens
- Year: 2021
- Area: 1515 m2
- Photography: Vangelis Paterakis & Panagiotis Voumvakis
Set at the gateway to the Athens Riviera, Glyfada by SAOTA & ARRCC is a refined five-unit beachfront residence fusing contemporary Mediterranean architecture with minimalist elegance. Designed by South African studio SAOTA in collaboration with ARRCC for interior architecture, the project commands panoramic views of the Aegean Sea, Aegina Island, and the distant Poros hills, while resting at the foot of Mount Hymettus.
A Sculptural Coastal Composition
Occupying a prominent corner site overlooking the promenade, the building integrates into its seaside surroundings with architectural clarity and restraint. Four spacious apartments flank a triple-volume entry hall that leads to meticulously landscaped gardens and dual ocean-facing swimming pools. Above, a double-storey penthouse spans the width of the podium, strategically set back to ensure privacy and maximize sightlines.
The seafront façade employs deep-set glazing, recessed structural elements, and moveable privacy screens that filter maritime light and modulate transparency. In contrast, the rear façade is more solid, with framed apertures shielding residents from neighboring structures. This dialectic between openness and enclosure enhances both aesthetics and livability.
Minimalism Rooted in Mediterranean Tradition
A defining architectural language of intersecting horizontal and vertical planes—rendered in crisp white finishes—evokes timeless minimalism while acknowledging the climate-conscious traditions of southern Greece. The building’s geometry and scale maintain classical balance while asserting a modernist presence along the coast.
The penthouse interior exemplifies this refined vocabulary. Here, simplified planes and voids orchestrate spatial relationships and celebrate both artwork and ocean views. Large-scale motorized glass doors disappear into cavity walls, merging interior and exterior in a seamless gesture.
A Gallery-Like Penthouse for Living and Entertaining
The client brief emphasized flexibility—a space that could host large gatherings and still provide intimate solitude. At the heart of the penthouse lies a central double-volume living area, conceived as both a social hub and a gallery for displaying curated art pieces. Surrounding this focal point, a sequence of modular living spaces—including dining, lounge, kitchen, and guest quarters—are articulated with interconnected planes and flowing visual continuity.
Upstairs, bedroom suites flank the central void, with sliding panels allowing privacy or openness depending on use. The spatial configuration allows the penthouse to expand or contract, adapting effortlessly to its occupants’ needs.
Natural Material Palette and Integrated Detailing
ARRCC’s interior vision emphasizes restraint, with a pared-back palette of timber, stone, white finishes, and bronze-accented elements. The fiber-cement “eyebrow” framing the top volume introduces subtle contrast, while custom cabinetry, seamless ceilings, and large-format sandstone tiles reinforce the minimalist aesthetic.
The expansive wraparound terrace is sheltered by a slender floating roof and anchored by a sunken swimming pool. Cantilevered pergolas define alfresco zones for dining and lounging. Carefully angled louvered screens ensure privacy without compromising the open coastal views, while glass balustrades maintain visual connection to the sea.
Conclusion: Architecture in Harmony with Setting
Glyfada by SAOTA & ARRCC is a masterclass in architectural discipline and sensory clarity. Its understated luxury, refined spatial choreography, and meditative palette create an environment in tune with its Mediterranean context—celebrating light, space, and tranquility in one of Athens’ most coveted coastal enclaves.
Plans
