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Famous Greek Architects: Block722

Interviews

27.10.2024

Viglostasi | Photo by George Pappas

Block722 is an Athens-based architecture studio that was founded in 2009 by architect Sotiris Tsergas and interior designer Katja Margaritoglou. The pair brings together Greek and Scandinavian heritage, and their collaboration results in work that is confident, natural, and timeless. The studio has a variety of projects, from residential to commercial and hospitality, managing in-house every stage of architectural development.

Block722 Philosophy

Their scope includes concept design, construction, and delivery. Quality of materials is always a high priority, and they collaborate when possible with local artisans and artists who bring historic Mediterranean building traditions into the 21st century. Of course, each project’s contextual needs and the client’s desires are taken into account to create a unique result every time. The studio has won several high-profile awards and has been featured in periodicals like AD, Divisare, Wallpaper, ELLE Décor France, Cote Sud, RUM, and Dezeen.

Block722 Founders

In a recent interview with designboom, Margaritoglou spoke about their philosophy: ‘In each of our projects, we always start from a new foundation, and along the way, we may bring common elements that are part of our identity.” Tsergas adds that “Each place has its own distinct identity, and we strive to discover and adopt as many elements and information as possible. We also attach great importance to the clients. We want to learn about their habits, lifestyle, family situation, routine, and interests.”


The pair also commented on their process when a client wants to create a copy of an existing property somewhere else. “When a project is published in magazines after a period of time and a client sees it and says, ‘I want something like this,’ then we start from scratch... It is a shame to limit ourselves to something that was designed five years ago and promote it again to a new client.” They note that it is great to have references, but that it is generally better to try to create something new, not being focused just on the way things were in the past.

Block722 Projects

Viglostasi

One of Block722’s most recent projects is the Viglostasi, The project was a dream of a family of four, who wanted to build a dream retreat in Syros after seeing Block722’s past works on Syros island - the residential buildings Syros I and Syros II. The result is a 500 sqm complex of low volumes around a series of pathways that connect the enclosed spaces and the terraces, gardens, and patios of the site. The main house has a main suite and a second bedroom, and also an open-plan living space. There are two guest suites and a central plaza outside that leads to a 25 meter infinity pool. The pool has views of the horizon and a home gym underneath the building. The client specifically wanted a home with traditional Aegean structures, with separate elements that connect seamlessly the indoors and outdoors, eventually leading down to the clients’ own cove, which is used for private swimming and yacht mooring.

O Lofos

Titled ‘O Lofos’ (meaning ‘The Hill’), this house is on a plot of 280 sqm, including two guestrooms and outdoor areas that exist in harmony with the natural surroundings. Being at the foothills of Thrypti mountain in Crete, the building takes references from the wild landscape and the local, traditional crafts. O Lofos creates a relaxed environment that blends with the Cretan landscape. The design blends natural materials, like wood and stone, with the studio’s Scandinavian mindset and organic minimalism, while also incorporating some Japanese architectural influences. The routes through the building are designed to create vistas and journeys that let you enjoy the natural beauty of the Cretan scenery. The “Slow living” lifestyle is contained within the homes’ architecture.

Casa Cook

Casa Cook is another one of Block 722’s newest projects. In Samos, Casa Cook is found in the island Samos’ forest-like landscape, with views of the northeastern Aegean Sea. This 128-room adults-only (+16) retreat opened in May 2022 and is inspired by traditional Greek houses, or Kamares, that are found in Samian villages. The architecture features the concept of the Grecian village, with infinity swimming pools as the town center of each small ‘neighborhood’ within the hotel. Then you can always go back to your room for alone time. The colors of the hotel match with the earth of Samos, and the green spaces blend with the wild pines, agave and olive trees on the island of Samos. The pools of water in the common areas of the hotel also copy the rivers and streams on Samos island.

Villa Apollon

Villa Apollon by Block722 is found on the southern edge of the Greek island of Lefkada and was sold by Elxis - At Home in Greece. The project, completed in early 2021, is an ideal mix of contemporary architecture with nature, and the home respects its green surroundings. A planted roof and subterranean building techniques were used to return the landscape to its original form, and there are many local herbs and plants on the property. The plot is found on a cliffside overlooking the blue waters of the Ionian Sea. Entering the site from the top side, visitors get guided down to the main house on a wide ramp. From there, a series of paved terraces and a natural path lead to a secluded rocky beach below. Natural materials, which are used in both the main home and the guest houses, complement the concrete construction and the wild Mediterranean vegetation around the site.  The main house has a large open-plan living area, with a master suite and two other bedrooms. Every room is oriented towards the view, has natural light, and access to the outdoors.

Viglostasi

Masterplanning and architecture: Block722

Creative direction: Block722

Interior design: Block722

Lighting study: Skia Lighting

Landscape design: Outside landscape architecture

Construction manager: Block722, Michael Gryllakis

Construction/Site Engineer: Isidoros Rossolatos

Architectural supervision: Block722

Structural Eng: Isidoros Rossolatos

MEP Eng: Leonardos Roussos

HVAC consultant: Regeon PC- Kapetanakis K. & M.

Electrical Eng: Maximos Rossolatos

Property Development and consulting: Kyanon Development

Wall lamps: Block722 (design), Un.processed Realities (manufacturer)

Pot and plants: GreentoGreen

Ceramics: Anna Karountzou ceramics, Lava toy ceramic

Objects: Bombyx, Moda Bagno, Kave Home, Mavriki

Marbles: Delta Marble

O Lofos

Master planning and architecture: Block722

Creative direction: Block722

Interior and styling: Block722

Furniture design: Block722

Lighting study: Skia Lighting

Landscape design: Outside landscape architecture-Eva Papadimitriou & Marina Tsintikidou

Architectural supervision: Block722

Construction Manager: Nani Kapsoritaki

Special wood constructions: Loupasakis s.a.

Special marble constructions: G. Houlakis

Special metal constructions: Grammatikakis

Furniture wood constructions [collection ‘ANATA’]: Maan Halaoui

Furniture Marble constructions [Collection ‘ANATA’]: Delta Marble

Casa Cook Samos

Master planning and architecture: Block722

Creative direction: Block722

Interior design: Block722, Vasilis Nikos

FF&E: Block722, Vasilis Nikos, Ballian Techniki

Lighting design: Skia lighting

Hardscape Design: Block722, Outside landscape architecture

Softscape & Planting Design: Archetopo Landscape Architecture

Architectural visualization: Block722, Fat Tony Studio

Client: FTC Hotels

Hotel owner: Velos Tourism SA

Contractor: Ballian Techniki

Structural &MEP engineering & consultant: PCK Pagonis-Polychronopoulos-Kinatos Co & PG, Kamarinos Consulting Engineers

Project manager: Ballian Techniki

Art: Anastasia Sachtaridou

Branding strategy & positioning: Vision alphabet

Villa Apollon

Master planning and architecture: block722

Creative direction: block722

Interior and styling: block722

Landscape design: Outside landscape architecture-Eva Papadimitriou & Marina Tsintikidou

Construction: Paleros Dream Homes

Development: Hadamisteko

Supervising engineer on site: Sotiris Katsikiotis, Civil Engineer NTUA

Structural Analysis: Paleros Dream Homes- Pavlos Tetepoulidis, Civil Engineer AUTH

Electromechanical, heating-cooling: Paleros Dream Homes- Giorgos Katsampiris, Electrical Engineer NTUA

As-built studies and supervision: Paleros Dream Homes-Sotiris Katsikiotis, Civil Engineer NTUA & Alexandra Tzolou, Architect eng. DUTH

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