Founded in 2004 by Dimitris and Konstantinos Karampatakis (Bartlett UCL alumni, ex-Alsop), K-STUDIO is an Athens studio of ~100 crafting immersive architecture, hardscape, and interiors rooted in Greek hospitality. Specializing in leisure—from resorts to Mykonos Airport—they prioritize user enjoyment with minimal, contextual interventions. The have won International Architecture Awards for Villa Mandra (2019), Dexamenes (2019), Liknon (2022), Manna (2023), and the Future House Award for KIKLIO (2023). They collaborate with Grimshaw, Rosewood, and others on projects worldwide, from the Middle East to South Asia. Their philosophy: building strong identities that balance local context with contemporary aspirations to enrich user experiences.
GDN: You often talk about architecture as an “identity design” — not just form and function, but emotion, rhythm, and Memory. How do you define identity in architecture today?
K- Studio: Quite early in our studio’s trajectory, we realized that architecture could move and influence those experiencing it through material and immaterial agents. Beyond singular readings of an image, what shapes a deeper immersion is the sum of sensorial and notional connections that can be created. We call that holistic design, when we employ material and immaterial resources to stitch our design into a natural, cultural or emotional context in order to create a clear identity. This emerges from a deep understanding of place — its climate, culture, history, and the everyday life that unfolds there — and it is revealed not in a single gesture, but in the rational and poetic interplay of space, material and atmosphere. It is not a predetermined style or a visual signature — it’s the story a place tells through space, materials, movement, light, and memory.
GDN: Can you discuss your experience designing hospitality projects that reflect Greek culture and identity on a global Stage?
K- Studio: Greece is our origin and our lens, and hospitality is one of the richest media through which we express cultural identity. Greek culture — especially in the context of hospitality — revolves around leisure as a lived rhythm of life, connection to nature, and generosity of space. We value the everyday and intend to elevate the ordinary into extraordinary, by approaching every aspect of daily life as a ritual worth paying attention to. On the other hand, according to ancient tradition hospitality was considered sacred and protected by the father of the gods, Zeus. As a process of respect for both parties, guest and host, we see this as an opportunity for acquaintance with the other, deep knowledge and connection.
Our hospitality projects, from boutique hotels to large resorts and reimagined public spaces like airports, translate this ethos and adapt to the circumstances and heritage found in any place we are invited to work around the globe. Equipped with strong principles rather than style, we set out to explore the particular characteristics that make each destination unique and put a spotlight on them, so that travellers can discover them and connect deeply with the essence of the place they are visiting.
GDN: Slow living is a clear focus in your architecture. How do you translate that concept into spatial experiences in your Projects?
K- Studio: What might be described as a trend as “slow living” is to us a philosophy by which we like to move forward. Grounding ourselves in everyday life, as mentioned above, we elevate the mundane and ordinary into extraordinary by creating spaces that invite presence, reflection and connection, rather than distraction or haste. In practice, this means designing buildings that mediate the natural environment, instead of resisting it — opening to shade and breeze instead of sealing off views, creating thresholds and courtyards that blur the boundary between inside and outside; and articulating transitions that slow the pace of movement in a meaningful way. These spatial moments give people permission to slow down, to breathe, to enjoy the spatial narrative as part of their daily experience.
GDN: Can you share your philosophy on “contextual minimalism” and how it guides your material and form choices?
K- Studio: It is a distillation of architecture to its essence in response to place. Rooted design understands place in history and resources, questions about what needs to be done and what do not. Our interventions try to be thoughtful in that sense, and purposeful, avoiding waste, favoring local materials and craft, continuing the physical and cultural narratives of the place, making each design decision resonate with environmental and cultural logic so that the project can prosper, connect and generate positive impact in location and community. This architecture feels minimalistic because it is an architecture of enoughness, while still remaining rich in tactility and connection to context.
GDN: What role do cross-disciplinary collaborations play in your process — with interior designers, landscape architects, and developers?
K- Studio: Throughout our design process we work collaboratively with highly experienced and knowledgeable teams to enrich and expand our services and results. Sampling knowledge from others is like sampling different cuisines; it broadens your palate. Beyond various teams of clients, architectural and design related professionals, consultants, etc., we also persist in seeking inspiration in the least predictable sources, believing that design is a mosaic crafted from diverse practices, where inspiration flows freely between not necessarily obvious agents. It thrives on the art of learning from others, and transcending design-related disciplines.
GDN: After two decades of redefining Greek architecture, what excites you most about what’s next — for k-studio, and for contemporary Greek design?
K- Studio: At K‑Studio, we are building a strong, expanding team, bringing together diverse skills, talents, and perspectives that enrich every project. This expansion allows us to explore new grounds — new typologies, new contexts, and new ways of interpreting Greek identity in architecture. At the same time, we are committed to recording our legacy with responsibility. Above all, we aim to remain resourceful, finding creative solutions that balance innovation, context, and human experience. For us, the future is about growth, experimentation, and leaving a thoughtful imprint for generations to come.
