The Stanley Hotel is located in Karaiskaki Square, in the center of Athens. The restaurant occupies the ninth floor of the building and is offering a 360-degree panoramic view to the guest. It stands as the "Observatory" of the area, as it embraces the center of Athens and refers to the Sacred Rock of the Acropolis, with whom it has direct eye contact.
Elastic wanted the identity to be a combination of the charm of the historic center with the perspective of modern architecture. The concept emerged from the ancient ritual of Arrephoria, a secret ritual in honor of the goddess Athena, to celebrate the early morning dew and to ensure euphoria of the earth and the plantation. The conceptual meanings of the above myth, were translated from Elastic architects, into simple yet rich design, materiality, and space. The honor of the goddess Athena and the euphoria of the earth, are represented by green elements with emphasis on the olive trees. The celebration of the morning dew, is represented by fresh color palettes & materials, the “peplos of Athena” in high aesthetic fabrics, while the underground fountain “Clepsydra” -end of the celebration process- is transformed by the centered pool- the water element.
The main architectural challenge was the combination of various uses within such an extensive open plan, with the intention of unifying the interior with the exterior. Therefore, two basic & directly interconnected cores were created in between the main staircase, the bar & the indoor restaurant. Different types of seating areas separate these two attraction points, as the light & grand windows allow movement freedom. The visual connection is also achieved by a smooth structure used as a bar & indoor buffet area, which blends in with the rest of the area.
This relation withstands with custom-made curved lights, that penetrate both interior & exterior areas as a decorative element. Their terracotta finish emphasizes the composition with the colors of the “early morning dew”.
An aluminum pergola integrates with the outdoor bar and allows a distinction between the restaurant & the pool zone, by creating seating zones beneath it. Materials & textures were placed very carefully in order to become an integral part of the domestic experience. The interior palette follows the exterior, with bespoke stones such as Rosso Levanto marble and Icarus white featuring throughout the bar, mixing with physical wood tones, rough plaster surfaces & warm yet green aesthetic upholsteries to evoke the signature of the Arrhephoria celebration. Green areas & olive trees in the between of these above elements emphasize the holistic design approach, seeking to maximize the potential of the myth concept throughout. A brand-new Observatory of Acropolis emerges under the Sacred Rock and the Athenian Sky, at the Stanley hotel Rooftop.
