Page 68 - MYCONIAN COLLECTION MAGAZINE 2024

DESIGN
DESPITE HIS work in hospitality, he
still sees himself as primarily a theatre
director. He stages experiences and he
explores the roles people take on in their
lives. Working on the amazing hotels of
the Myconian Collection Hotels & Resorts
is his way of bringing about the spaces
he has always wanted to have available to
him; spaces as the ones he designed for
Panoptis Escape at Elia beach and O by
Myconian Collection that can take their
surroundings and their guests further.
How would you summarize the concept
of the two hotels that you recently
designed, their main characteristics, the
spirit of their decoration?
For O by Myconian located on Ornos
Bay, the concept is very much based on
a stylish beachfront resort. Its design
reflects the concept of slow luxury
Pioneering reawakened. The “green” design ethos
filled living where all the senses are
that we based our design philosophy
EXCELLENCE upon showcases the beauty of natural
materials in their raw state. Almost earthy
in feel, we have used a design language
that is deeply rooted in the timeless
appeal of Hellenic antiquity and the
Antonis Kalogridis, an acclaimed primitive luxury of Greek island life. As
professional sets trends and drives the way for the Panoptis Escape, with its high
location above Elia Beach, we wanted to
forward, sharing his insight into what design create a more roughly hewn bohemian
atmosphere where guests can truly enjoy
in hospitality luxury truly means. Mykonos’s famous winds and intense
sunshine. It’s utterly luxurious whilst
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HIGH-END TEAM Antonis Kalogridis
and Vangelis Takos redefine the aesthetics of
Mykonos through the complete design of the
Panoptis Escape at Elia Beach and
O by Myconian Collection at Ornos Beach.
good about where you are, but also
remind you not to stay still. It has to be
the perfect match between the real and
the possible.
Are there any details in the design that
you are particularly proud of?
At Panoptis Escape, I’m particularly
proud of how the design captures the
light of a sanctuary, drawing on the
theme of guests reconnecting to nature.
For O by Myconian, the design was very
much based on bringing the qualities
of the sea into the accommodations.
We wanted to place a large emphasis
on sustainability and the open and
airy interiors in the accommodations
definitely reflect that.
What are the key ingredients of true
luxury in travelling?
The greatest privilege has to do with
the destinations – not about choosing
the place but about choosing what
that place means. Any place you find
yourself can be a finish line or a starting
being almost wild like the island itself. emphasis was placed on using wood line – compensation or inspiration. The
Every accommodation here is so different for Panoptis Escape - both materials defining moment of luxury in travel is
and individual, made up of surprising were used in large quantities. All of the bringing the two together, about turning
textures and colour palettes. design details and furniture were crafted your travels into a revolving door, an
How are they similar and different from by Greek craftsmen exclusively for the experience so strong that it moves you to
the other properties in the Myconian hotels, making them totally unique in any direction you choose. You might be
Collection’s portfolio? that sense. travelling to celebrate an achievement,
I would say that O by Myconian and What were the main challenges in these or because you are gathering up the
Panoptis Escape are similar in how hotels in terms of optimizing spaces or strength to go after one. Ideally, the two
they are expertly run and their level of views from the rooms? should not feel different, because you will
service but differ in terms of their holistic At O by Myconian, the challenge was to always be getting ready to reach a higher
concept and nature-based philosophy. O triumph in creating a luxury beachfront peak, and you will always deserve to be
by Myconian really is the type of property resort where there was an evident rewarded for it.
where you can comfortably wonder dialogue between design and nature, How does interior design affect a
beach and back again, while Panoptis want, to be serene and quiet or joyous traveller’s experience?
around barefoot from your suite to the
where guests are free to feel what they
It has to do with that revolving moment.
Escape almost lifts you up into the sky
Interior design must make it easier for
and celebratory. So, the challenge
due to its high location; it’s so quiet even here was to create an ambience that people to see clearly in all directions,
though it’s only a few minutes away from
to choose their path among many. At
allowed for that through the architectural
language and design. For Panoptis
the same time, it must help them to be
Mykonos Town.
time and place they find themselves. It
360 views over the Aegean and to work
Where do the materials that are used Escape, we wanted the property to offer inspired by what is unique in the specific
come from? How do you justify the
choice of these materials in particular? through all of the constraints that arose. is a fine line, like the horizon. Interior
We source a lot of our materials locally Generally though, the main challenge design must make you feel good about
where you are, but also remind you not
so they are in touch with the local
was how to translate the landscape into
vernacular – such as unprocessed woods, a hospitality project. For me, interior to stay still. It has to be the perfect match
between the real and the possible, and it
stone, rocks, raffia textures and plants.
design is all about helping people be
The design for O by Myconian relied inspired by what is unique in a specific must allow guests to break on through to
whichever side works best for them. •
time and place, it has to make you feel
very much on marble, while a greater
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