Located on the dramatic coastline of Syros, Olen Resort is a seven-suite coastal retreat that redefines how architecture can engage with landscape. Designed by Athens-based Ateno Architecture Studio, the hotel is half-buried into a cliff edge, allowing it to blend into its surroundings while offering uninterrupted views of the Aegean Sea.
Rather than imposing a bold architectural object onto the terrain, the studio approached the project as a careful manipulation of surfaces, terraces, retaining walls and carved voids – allowing the building to feel embedded within the land itself.
Design Concept
The core ambition of the project was to preserve the dominance of the natural landscape despite the relatively large scale of the brief. The architecture is conceived as an “amphitheatrical” stepped formation that follows the slope of the site.
Key conceptual strategies include:
- Embedding major portions of the resort into the cliff
- Using earth-toned textured render to merge with the rocky surroundings
- Designing horizontal terraces that frame panoramic sea views
- Prioritising landscape continuity over object-based architecture
This results in a composition that feels sculpted from the terrain rather than constructed upon it.
Spatial Organisation: Three Elements
The resort is divided into three distinct components that step down the hillside, connected by a zigzagging pathway. Privacy increases as visitors descend.
1. The Plane (Upper Level – Social Zone)
The highest point of the site acts as the main communal space. A curved retaining wall frames a large terrace with a pergola and pool overlooking the horizon.
Features of The Plane:
- Expansive sea-facing terrace
- Leaf-shaped pergola for shaded outdoor living
- Infinity-edge pool merging visually with the sea
- Shared living spaces carved into the hillside
- Three projecting bedroom volumes with private terraces
The curved geometry introduces fluid movement and creates a sense of enclosure without blocking views.
2. The Line (Middle Level – Flexible Living Units)
Further down the slope, The Line contains two larger subterranean suites that can operate separately or combine into one larger accommodation.
Key characteristics:
- Two flexible living units
- Shared terrace with long, narrow infinity pool
- Strong horizontal emphasis
- Subterranean placement for thermal stability
This level balances openness toward the sea with the privacy provided by the earth-covered structure.
3. The Point (Lower Level – Private Guesthouse)
At the lowest and most secluded section of the site is The Point, an independent guesthouse embedded deeply into the terrain.
Distinct elements include:
- Curved stone retaining wall
- Small circular private pool
- Increased seclusion and intimacy
- Textural contrast through exposed stone
The exposed stonework is the only major deviation from the rendered surfaces used elsewhere in the project.
Interiors and Material Palette
Despite its partially underground nature, the interiors are designed to feel light and airy. Natural daylight enters through carefully positioned skylights and sea-facing openings.
Interior highlights:
- Warm off-white colour palette
- Light stone flooring extending from exterior to interior
- Minimal furnishings to emphasise space and views
- Seamless indoor-outdoor continuity
The consistent use of stone flooring not only unifies spaces visually but also provides a cool surface underfoot during the hot Greek summer months.
Environmental Integration
Embedding the resort into the cliff is not only an aesthetic decision but also an environmental one.
Sustainable advantages:
- Natural insulation from surrounding earth
- Reduced exposure to strong coastal winds
- Lower reliance on mechanical cooling
- Minimal visual impact on the landscape
The architecture works with the topography rather than altering it drastically, reinforcing a sensitive approach to coastal development.
A Contemporary Coastal Retreat
Olen Resort demonstrates how hospitality architecture can be both luxurious and restrained. By merging sculptural retaining walls, terraced platforms and subterranean spaces, Ateno Architecture Studio has created a resort that enhances rather than competes with the dramatic landscape of Syros.
The project stands as an example of how thoughtful spatial sequencing, material sensitivity and environmental integration can produce a coastal retreat that feels timeless, immersive and deeply connected to its setting.
Reference- www.dezeen.com/
