Designed by STARCH, eLement stands as a testament to the seamless integration of poetic inspiration, exacting geometry, expert material craftsmanship, and the surrounding natural environment. Its form is distinctly shaped by the L configuration, which in turn serves as a wellspring of inspiration for this architectural marvel.
“I wanted the building to open up to the square, to the view.
To look ethereal. Αs if the canopies with their sharp corners and soft curves fly,
in their continuous movement from floor to floor,” states Rena Sakellaridou, lead architect of STARCH.
The client’s vision for environmentally superior office space set the stage for this innovative design that led to eLement receiving an Honorable Mention in International Architecture Awards 2023 by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture, Design, and Urban Studies.
Facing the challenge of a plot divided by neighboring buildings and streets on three sides, the distinctive L-shaped layout was born.
To accentuate the entrance at the L’s corner, a bold decision was made to carve out a substantial portion of the ground floor, resulting in a spacious diagonal passage.
This not only forged a connection between the front and back areas but also established a prominent entry point.
The creation of a plaza and garden further emphasized the significance of public space, with a deliberate focus on integrating the natural elements into the heart of the concept.
eLement comprises a ground floor and four additional office levels above ground, complemented by a two-story underground parking facility.
The internal layout adheres to a straightforward design, with a central connecting lobby facilitating diverse tenant occupancy.
The restaurant, designed as a distinctive soft-curved glass pavilion, features a projecting concrete canopy that amplifies the impact of the diagonal passage while defining a linear boundary for the plaza.
A reflective ceiling enhances the perception of height within the passage, while water features breathe life into the space.
Additionally, planted roofs on the 1st and 4th floors offer valuable open-air areas for users.
Project: eLement
Architects: RS SPARCH
Lead Architect: Rena Sakellaridou
Design Team: N. Tsompikou, I. Kloni, L. Ioannidou, K. Skalkogianni, M. Christopoulou, N. Sidorakis, G. Diaskoufis, Ch. Agnantopoulou, and A.Sechremeli
Landscape Architects: H. Pangalou and Partners
General Contractor: Terna SA
Client: PRODEA Investments
Photographers: Yiorgis Yerolymbos
