Ellinikon Riviera Galleria
The vision of an open and sunny Athenian Riviera, with an outlook towards the sea, calls for an architecture that is extroverted and in continuation with the landscape. We have evolved the typology of the Galleria into a unique, open and connected architecture. Through simple, rational planning, we have segmented and shifted the body of the typical galleria in blocks, creating open lobbies that open alternatively towards the sea and towards a cool Mediterranean grove. The experience is that of continually being between indoor and outdoor, with natural light and open vistas being present at every point during the visitors’ itinerary through the Riviera Galleria.
The Galleria is crowned by an undulating translucent roof, that offers protection from rain and sun, without blocking light and the feeling of connection to the sky and the sea: a soft, wavy Ripple. The idea for The Ripple came naturally as part of our desire to express the fluidity and movement of the sea through architecture. This led to materials that would reflect both tradition and innovation: a blend of fabric and wood. The choice of materials references traditional Greek shading screens made from reed and nods to the masts and sails that have defined the Aegean for centuries. This mixture of natural textures will create a space that is warm and intimate – qualities that materials like concrete or stone alone couldn’t achieve. The ripple effect of the design mimics the movement of water and aims to evoke a feeling of serenity and timelessness.
On a general planning level, the GF is predominantly retail with select F&B insertions at strategic areas around lobbies and public plazas: this way, synergy between the different programs is maximized, and lively activity spills out constantly throughout the Galleria. On the first floor, the strategy is reversed: predominantly F&B and leisure-oriented, the first floor is nevertheless punctuated by double-height retail spaces that infuse the whole experience with variety and create additional interfaces between the two floors. On a more specific programmatic level, both Retail and F&B are inscribed in a highly rational and standardized grid, which creates easy to control, combine, and re-fit typologies. The aim is maximum flexibility.
Executive architect: BETAPLAN
