Page 139 - ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL 2024

ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL
architecture
INTERIOR CONNOISSEUR
Marilyn Katsaris is an experienced architect working
in Athens on an international portfolio of residential, retail,
and yacht interior design.

H er mother loved painting, and Mar-

ilyn herself developed the patience not
only to cultivate her creative talent but
also to build a unique career in interior
design. After completing a Bachelor’s
Degree in Architecture and Fine Arts
at the Rhode Island School of Design, she worked at
the multi-award winning architectural firm of Costas
Kondylis in New York and then returned to Greece.
There she worked closely with Santiago Calatrava’s
company as part of the 2004 Olympics’ architectural
team, an intriguing experience. Soon after, she noticed
that there was a gap in the Greek market for interior
design. This and a personal desire to see her vision for
each property fully realised, she turned to this field.
Everything inspires her, from nature to fashion. The
latter was a major part of her upbringing since her
mother Amalia Korasidou co-founded with her sister
the Enny Monaco boutiques, which Marilyn designs
now alongside private properties all over Greece, where
she has chosen to live with her family.
What is the architect’s role in modern cities?
Through the constant change that the last few decades
have brought to our way of life, a logical and dynamic
awareness of how today’s technological progress could
merge with our new environment and lifestyle is es-
sential. In this key transitional period, architects are
called upon to perform important work.
It’s not just about designing the building and its struc-
ture. You must also integrate it with the surrounding
Blending Interior just consist of roads, trees, and plantations. There’s its
natural, urban, or suburban landscape, which doesn’t
sociocultural fabric, too. Architecture goes beyond
combining art and science. As the famous Romanian
with Style sculptor Constantin Brancusi said: “Architecture is
inhabited sculpture.”
I don’t mean, of course, that other aspects aren’t im-
portant, but our role isn’t just to create a beautiful
sculpture. Incorporating the region’s societal needs in a
Greek Architect and Designer positive way is vital, which means that the design must
be people-centric in terms of human scale and form as
Marilyn Katsaris on the much as usefulness to its surroundings and citizens.
What are the creative stimuli that fuel your archi-
importance and impact tectural vision?
I find inspiration through travel, reading, nature, art,
and fashion.
NIKOS KOUSTENIS of interior design. Focusing on your work in interior architecture,
what projects offer you the greatest challenge?
I find challenges in all the projects I take on, from the
most complex to the simplest. My goal is to always create >
Interview by ELSA SOIMIRI

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