/ THE SIFNOS PROJECT
In progress since 2021, the Sifnos Project is informed by a ‘Back to Basics’ concept that prioritizes a pared-back, sustainable living proposition centered on proximity to the sea and village life — with little need for a car. Inspired by the humble boat houses that line the Faros waterfront, the concept is a response to the evolving context of the world around us and our shifting needs: a sharper focus on our wellbeing; an appreciation for simplicity, culture and tradition; a desire to head back to nature and the essentials; to nest; and to strengthen familial and social ties.
The project was envisaged as an organic extension of the existing settlement at Faros, with a typology characterized by small, standalone volumes that are easy to maintain, and can work individually, combined into a house or as a complex of volumes. As such, each property would propose flexibility and autonomy, and accommodate the needs of a growing family.
Honoring the island’s history and traditions, the concept strives to continue the thread of good quality Sifnian architecture and craftsmanship, moving it forward while standing the test of time.
In June 2021, OLIAROS hosted a workshop on Sifnos to explore, analyze and discuss this ‘Back to Basics’ approach to island living. The goal was to conclude on: a methodology for the masterplan; the tool box of materials; and the typologies, inspired by Sifnian culture and locality.
Over four days, the OLIAROS team was joined by Aires Mateus, Antonas Office, AREA, Dimitris Sgoutas, Doxiadis+, Gianluidi Ricuperrati and Patricia Urquiola Studio. The itinerary included visits to key settlements, pottery studios, and the Archaeological Museum — guided by an archaeologist — among other activities.
In May 2022, 10 architecture studios (Aires Mateus, Antonas Office, AREA, Atelier Bow Wow, Enroute, Neiheiser-Argiros, Ooak, Papalampropoulos-Syriopoulou Architecture Bureau, Patricia Urquiola Studio, Pila Studio) were invited to take part in a competition to realize the Sifnos Project.
Tokyo-based Atelier Bow Wow and Athens-based Papalampropoulos-Syriopoulou Architecture Bureau were selected as the winners.
In May 2022, 10 architecture studios from Greece and beyond were invited to take part in a competition to realize the Sifnos Project. These included Aires Mateus, Antonas Office, AREA, Atelier Bow-Wow, Enroute, Neiheiser-Argiros, Ooak, Papalampropoulos-Syriopoulou Architecture Bureau, Patricia Urquiola Studio and Pila Studio.
You can find each of the architects’ proposals for the Sifnos Project below:
Aristede Antonas, Athens
’The Acropolis’
AREA, Athens
’The Acropolis’
Papalampropoulos Syriopoulou, Athens
‘Aemasa’
From the competition, the following conclusions were drawn for The Sifnos Project:
A New Typology:
Typology A: Referring to xerolithies, integrating stone terraces with white pavilions.
Typology B: Referring to Sifnian farmhouses, where relevant to the natural surroundings. In natural or painted stone with structural, wooden ceilings.
Referring to Ceramics: To weave the ceramics tradition of Sifnos into the architectural and interior design concepts of the Sifnos Project, integrating both decorative and functional elements.
The Selected Architects
Sustainability Direction:
Athens-based Papalampropoulos-Syriopoulou Architecture Bureau was selected as the winner of the competition. As project lead, the bureau was commissioned by OLIAROS to design the masterplan of the Sifnos Project, including designing four of its five properties: Distrata, Fyktoria, Kamini House and Pente. Papalampropoulos-Syriopoulou was chosen for the way in which it took into consideration the existing landscape of the Plateau, which incorporates the xerolithies that characterize the site. We found this to be the best interpretation of how to continue the island’s traditional typologies, while taking it into the future.
Atelier Bow-Wow was selected to design one house (Lagada) within the masterplan, according to its proposal that referred to the Sifnos farmhouse typology that is found widely in settlements across the island.
In progress since 2021, the Sifnos Project is informed by a ‘Back to Basics’ concept that prioritizes a pared-back, sustainable living proposition centered on proximity to the sea and village life — with little need for a car. Inspired by the humble boat houses that line the Faros waterfront, the concept is a response to the evolving context of the world around us and our shifting needs: a sharper focus on our wellbeing; an appreciation for simplicity, culture and tradition; a desire to head back to nature and the essentials; to nest; and to strengthen familial and social ties.
The project was envisaged as an organic extension of the existing settlement at Faros, with a typology characterized by small, standalone volumes that are easy to maintain, and can work individually, combined into a house or as a complex of volumes. As such, each property would propose flexibility and autonomy, and accommodate the needs of a growing family.
Honoring the island’s history and traditions, the concept strives to continue the thread of good quality Sifnian architecture and craftsmanship, moving it forward while standing the test of time.
2021
In June 2021, OLIAROS hosted a workshop on Sifnos to explore, analyze and discuss this ‘Back to Basics’ approach to island living. The goal was to conclude on: a methodology for the masterplan; the tool box of materials; and the typologies, inspired by Sifnian culture and locality.
Over four days, the OLIAROS team was joined by Aires Mateus, Antonas Office, AREA, Dimitris Sgoutas, Doxiadis+, Gianluidi Ricuperrati and Patricia Urquiola Studio. The itinerary included visits to key settlements, pottery studios, and the Archaeological Museum — guided by an archaeologist — among other activities.
2022
In May 2022, 10 architecture studios (Aires Mateus, Antonas Office, AREA, Atelier Bow Wow, Enroute, Neiheiser-Argiros, Ooak, Papalampropoulos-Syriopoulou Architecture Bureau, Patricia Urquiola Studio, Pila Studio) were invited to take part in a competition to realize the Sifnos Project.
Tokyo-based Atelier Bow Wow and Athens-based Papalampropoulos-Syriopoulou Architecture Bureau were selected as the winners.
In May 2022, 10 architecture studios from Greece and beyond were invited to take part in a competition to realize the Sifnos Project. These included Aires Mateus, Antonas Office, AREA, Atelier Bow-Wow, Enroute, Neiheiser-Argiros, Ooak, Papalampropoulos-Syriopoulou Architecture Bureau, Patricia Urquiola Studio and Pila Studio.
ALL SUBMISSIONS
You can find each of the architects’ proposals for the Sifnos Project below:
Aristide Antonas, Athens
‘The Acropolis’
AREA, Athens
Perivolia’
Papalampropoulos Syriopoulou, Athens
‘Aemasa’
From the competition, the following conclusions were drawn for The Sifnos Project:
A New Typology:
Typology A: Referring to xerolithies, integrating stone terraces with white pavilions.
Typology B: Referring to Sifnian farmhouses, where relevant to the natural surroundings. In natural or painted stone with structural, wooden ceilings.
Referring to Ceramics: To weave the ceramics tradition of Sifnos into the architectural and interior design concepts of the Sifnos Project, integrating both decorative and functional elements.
The Selected Architects
Athens-based Papalampropoulos-Syriopoulou Architecture Bureau was selected as the winner of the competition. As project lead, the bureau was commissioned by OLIAROS to design the masterplan of the Sifnos Project, including designing four of its five properties: Distrata, Fyktoria, Kamini House and Pente. Papalampropoulos-Syriopoulou was chosen for the way in which it took into consideration the existing landscape of the Plateau, which incorporates the xerolithies that characterize the site. We found this to be the best interpretation of how to continue the island’s traditional typologies, while taking it into the future.
Atelier Bow-Wow was selected to design one house (Lagada) within the masterplan, according to its proposal that referred to the Sifnos farmhouse typology that is found widely in settlements across the island.
Read More about the Architects
Sustainability Direction:
