"Liakos Associates Architects" undertook the architectural design, permit and construction of the project and collaborated with the Japanese architectural firm "Studio Glitt" for the interior design.
The design was made with the aim of regenerating the natural terrain as the plot was the place of stone extraction for the reconstruction of the island's port in the 60s. The architectural team relied on the form of the quarry crater to create a restaurant that harmonizes with the environment and the natural landscape.
The erosion of the soil created the need for extensive support works on the rock, with vertical concrete supports, which were later covered with natural Mykonian stone. The experience of the architectural office "Liakos Associates Architects" in planning in difficult environments, as in the case of the Cavo Tagoo hotel with which Zuma adjoins under the same Mykonian rock, was the key point to provide intelligent and innovative solutions of the specific plot.
This rock is the connecting element between Cavo Tagoo Hotel and Zuma. It embraces and unifies the two projects and it is a landmark for the area, which is why it is sought to highlight it along the entire length of the project, from the entrance till the last daybed.
The planning of the project was done in collaboration with the antiquities tax office due to the particularity of the relief and the close location of the plot to the church of Agios Georgios and the archeological site of Bouka. In order to adapt to the relief of the rock, the restaurant is placed on a series of terraces that follow the slope of the natural terrain that existed before the destruction of the hill. In this way the church continues to be seen from the country road and the new composition highlights the wild natural landscape of Mykonos.
The characteristic barrels of the traditional sake drink provided the inspiration for the circular, wooden elements that form the imposing entrance which takes place from the rear of the plot. Through an open-air corridor in contact with the illuminated rock, the entrance corridor leads directly to the center of the floor plan, revealing the sea and the sunset to the visitor at once.
On the one hand, the central area of the restaurant is formed. The BoH uses and food preparation occupy the back of the floor plan, while the table seats are placed in the front, configured in an open plan layout, overlooking the beach front. On the other side, under the visible rock, the bar is standing in a free layout and the palm trees around it. Shades made of coconut fibers offer coolness during the day when the restaurant is bathed in the summer sun.
An important element that is used, is the rough looking, Greek stone of Halkidiki which helps the continuity between the natural rock and the restaurant. Almost square cut in dimensions of approximately 1x1m., we find it in scattered places on the floor plan to separate spaces and to be used in the design of furniture and service stations.
In the infinity pool that runs the length of the restaurant, wooden platforms are created to which access is provided by solid pieces of stone. The sunbeds on the platforms-islands offer the feeling of being in the water not just of the pool but of the entire sea.
The contact with the rock and the natural lines it forms inspired the composition for hollow and curved configurations that give fluidity to the arrangements of the elements. The walls, canopies and other secondary elements consisting mainly of stone and wood, shape atmosphere and textures, while adapting the restaurant to the natural environment of the area.
Suppliers & Contributors:
Architecture Study: Liakos Associates Architects (LAA)
Interior Design: Studio Glitt
Construction & Implement Study: Liakos Associates Architects (LAA)
Electrical Study: Dase Engineering & Nikos Nakos
Lighting Study: Into Lighting
Landscape Study: Greenways Hellas
Metal Percola: Georgatsonas SA
Wood Percola: Giotas SA
Interior wooden construction and linings: Diendron
Infinity Pool: Hydrocosmo Pools
Air conditioning and aeration: Climatism
Dry construction: Artion Construction Company
Furniture: Furniture Gallery
Stone supply and processing: Gr Stone
Special Metal Construction: IGB Inox & Glass Special Constructions
Kitchen Supplies: XENEX Foodservice & Laundry Equipment
Lighting management system (KNX): GDS Lighting
Wooden construction: Kalogridis Wood Creations
Wooden floors & special constructions: Giapoutzis
Caneplex: Καλαμωτές – Καλάμια – Μπαμπού
Sound System: TELMAKO
Floors: AGGLOTECH
Dermitzakis
Plumping: Tatsis
