Page 153 - ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL 2022

ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL
architecture

A NEW WAY L ocated surfside in the Agios Kosmas marina area near Athens,
OF LIVING Riviera Tower is the much anticipated residential development that
Blending Athenian energy will transform the capital’s waterfront. Set to be completed in 2025,
the tower will rise to 200 metres above sea level—almost double the
with elegant coastal living,
the Riviera Tower reimagines height of Greece’s current tallest building, the 103-metre-tall Athens
sustainability. Tower 1 in the city centre—becoming the country’s first true skyscraper and claim-
ing the title of first green high-rise building in Greece and tallest green beachfront
high-rise on the entire Mediterranean coast.
Destined to become an instant architectural landmark, Riviera Tower is part of
The Ellinikon, a unique in scope and scale development project led by Lamda De-
velopment. With a masterplan developed with world-renowned architects Foster
+ Partners, The Ellinikon will see the transformation of the 6,200,000 sqm site of
Athens’ former international airport into a unique ecosystem comprising world-
class sustainable residential developments, exceptional hospitality and retail hubs,
business areas and sports facilities as well as the 2,000,000 sqm The Ellinikon Park,
which will be the largest coastal park in Europe and a true landmark of 21st-cen-
tury Greece. “THE TOWER’S MASSING HAS
The Ellinikon’s signature structure, the 45-storey Riviera Tower introduces a new
kind of reimagined, sustainable living and marks the beginning of a new era for the BEEN DESIGNED FROM THE
Athens Riviera. Its more than 200 private residences are impeccably crafted with
premium natural materials and finished with elegant detailing, while generous INSIDE OUT TO CELEBRATE ITS
balconies offer panoramic views of the coast, the sea, the park and the mountains,
with select residences even enjoying views to the Acropolis. Incorporating green UNIQUE LOCATION, IMMERSED
design principles from the inside out, Riviera Tower is an ode to contemporary
sustainability and offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to embrace an exclu- IN NATURE.”
sive coastal lifestyle at what will undoubtedly be one of the Mediterranean’s most
coveted addresses.
ARJ spoke to Antoinette Nassopoulos-Erickson, Senior Partner at Foster + Part-
ners, to find out more about the project.
Arranged around the main lobby and opening directly onto the gardens, the busi-
Riviera Tower harmoniously combines Athenian and Mediterranean charac- ness centre, gym and spa are easily accessible. In response to lessons learned from
teristics with a pioneering green style. What are the pieces of the architectural the ongoing pandemic, all circulation areas have been designed to be naturally
puzzle that you wanted to put together? ventilated while the core has been split to reduce occupancy.
Riviera Tower will be one of the greenest high-rise buildings in the world. A mod- How would you measure Riviera Tower’s success? Might it be perhaps about
el of sustainable design, the tower will incorporate best environmental practices introducing a new reimagined way of living?
and cutting-edge international safety protocols. All apartments will have pioneer- The project aims to create an exemplarily sustainable building. The sustainability
ing services and amenities, construction materials that are locally sourced and the strategy is aligned to LEED certification as well as international best practice strat-
specifications of a smart building. egies from wider sustainable design, including the WELL Standard. Riviera Tower
Tell us a bit about the interplay between the location, environment and design. aims to achieve LEED BD+C: New Construction Gold and set a new standard
The design draws inspiration from the ecological and cultural elements of the for contemporary sustainable living.
Mediterranean landscape and from Athens’ vernacular architecture to create an Athens is a melting pot of architectural styles, from ancient temples and el-
innovative design approach. The tower’s massing has been designed from the in- egant neoclassical mansions to concrete brutalist apartment blocks. Which
side out to celebrate its unique location, immersed in nature. Most apartments stand out to you and which have influenced the design of Riviera Tower?
To Great Heights incorporate naturally ventilated interiors. which contains a diverse range of neoclassical and art deco landmarks and signifi-
Athens has vibrant urban complexity. The ancient Acropolis rises above the city,
have dual aspect and enjoy unobstructed panoramic views of the coastline and
How does the tower’s green design philosophy translate into sustainable living?
cant modernist buildings such as Emmanuel Vourekas’ Hilton Athens hotel. Zig-
Biophilic design will be incorporated throughout the building, enhancing connec-
design of Riviera Tower. Their deep wrap-around balconies are often large enough
tivity with the natural environment. A green spine of lush terraces runs through gurat-like penthouses characterize the Athenian roofscape and have influenced the
the heart of the tower, encouraging outdoor living and creating a pleasant micro- to accommodate a full-sized dinner table and walls of plants. In the coastal sub-
Effortlessly blending green design climate. The organic design of the staggered balconies provides solar shading to urbs of Athens, apartments also have deep, wrap-around balconies that seamlessly
connect the interior and exterior spaces.
reduce the need for mechanical cooling during the summer months. The tower will
and exclusivity, Riviera Tower introduces utilise passive solar design and use minimal energy by working with the environ- Modern references that have informed the design of Riviera Tower include Alex-
andros Tombazis’ Difros apartment block, with its stacked, concrete volumes, and
ment, while also making sure that the materials and components are sustainable
a new era of contemporary sustainable and have low embodied carbon. Constantinos Doxiadis’ One Athens. Early examples of polykatoikia apartment
blocks by Takis Zenetos and Nicos Valsamakis were also important references—par-
What signature amenities can future residents expect?
ticularly the open plan layouts and connections between inside and outside spaces.
Creating a sense of arrival, the elevated drop off offers spectacular sea views framed
living to the Athens Riviera. by a double volume lobby, while accommodating car parking below. Reflective Valsamakis’ Lanaras weekend house, in the suburb of Anavyssos, is the ultimate
pools enhance the connection to the sea and cool the drop off and arrival spaces.
expression of connectivity, including the relationship to place. 

152 153