Artemis Restaurant

Design Team 
Charis Markodimitrakis (Lead Architect), Charoula Nikoloudi, Katerina  Zouridaki 

Construction Team 
Nikos Gryllos (Project Manager), Dimitris Giakoumis, Pantelis Mochianakis, Christos Zaharioudakis, Eva Ntoulaki, Manos Tsikaloudakis

Collaborators
Nikos Phillipis (NG Construction) 

A new Main Restaurant was designed to cover the needs of Nana Golden Beach Hotel in Hersonissos. The Restaurant is approximately 2.500 sq.m. and can serve up to 800 people at the same time.

Particularly challenging in terms of design was the fact that the space is underground, so one of our main concerns during design was to maximize the utilization of natural light. That was achieved by creating a large Atrium on the east side which also includes a water element, and a smaller atrium with trees in the reception area. However, the Creation of a Light Wall and an artificial Skylight at the ceiling managed not only to illuminate the space, but also to create the illusion of extra natural light coming in the Restaurant. This feeling was complemented by planters with natural plants (with reduced natural light requirements), giving a natural note to the space.

The large height of the room, about 5 meters, was maintained in the larger area of the space, while all the Mechanical Elements were Exposed and painted dark grey, without the addition of extra ceiling. That Industrial style of the ceiling was combined with wooden and metal elements creating a modern but at the same time warm and luxurious atmosphere with interesting contrasts.

Metal grids, metal arches and frames coexist with pressed cement mortars, wood paneling, benches with ceramic surfaces and wood and marble floors creating an explosion of contrasts, but at the same time harmonize perfectly with each other.

Lines, patterns, forms, techniques, and materials compose a space with many references to industrial design, which is expressed in a sophisticated version. The highly aesthetic materials, the balanced proportions of materials and colors, the finishes, the textures, the details of their compounds are elements that give luxury and elegance to the space.

The furniture was grouped into sections, dividing the large hall into "neighborhoods" and making the user feel familiar with the scale of the space. Decorative elements play a complementary role, with simplicity in design.

The exterior of the atrium is surrounded by stone walls with large metal industrial frames, which can open by folding up, allowing the interior to be integrated with the exterior. A wooden platform with a "sculpture" bonsai whose roots embrace a stone dominates in the center of the atrium.