Situated at the commercial core of Athens, this project redefines the typology of urban parking infrastructure through a comprehensive redesign of a 1,200 sqm ground-level facility within a seven-storey structure serving approximately 1,000 users daily.

Located at the intersection of Solonos and Asklipiou streets - two of the city’s most active arteries - the building occupies a prominent position within a dense network of institutional and professional activity. In close proximity to landmarks such as the University of Athens, the National Library of Greece, and the Academy of Athens, the facility operates within a context defined by law firms, medical practices, corporate headquarters, and flagship retail.

Despite their critical role in sustaining the functionality of the city centre, multi-storey parking structures in Athens are typically overlooked in terms of architectural quality and user experience. This project challenges that condition directly, reframing the parking garage not merely as infrastructure, but as a curated spatial experience - one that shapes both the beginning and the end of the user’s daily routine.

From the outset, the client articulated an ambitious vision: to transform a utilitarian environment into a destination defined by clarity, elegance, and distinction. In response, the design strategy focused on three key aspects - circulation, visibility, and identity - through the complete reorganization of the entry level, the refinement of material finishes, and the introduction of a central reception space.

A pivotal intervention was the transformation of a previously enclosed accounting office into an open, highly visible reception hub. Positioned strategically between the two primary entrances, this triangular volume was reinterpreted as the operational and spatial core of the facility. Its geometry, rather than being concealed, is emphasized - becoming a defining feature that organizes movement and orientation.

Material contrast is employed as a deliberate architectural device. The broader parking environment is rendered in a restrained, luminous palette - prioritizing clarity, brightness, and ease of navigation. In contrast, the reception is conceived as a distinct, almost object-like insertion: a refined composition of natural marble and brass detailing that introduces tactility, precision, and a sense of permanence.

This “jewel-like” element anchors the project conceptually and experientially. It elevates the act of arrival and departure, transforming a typically anonymous threshold into a moment of recognition and spatial identity.

By combining strategic planning with material refinement, the project demonstrates how even the most utilitarian programs can be reimagined as sophisticated, high-performance environments - aligned with the expectations of a contemporary urban audience.

Project credits

Architect: Oikonomakis Siampakoulis architects (Ilias Oikonomakis, Angelos Siampakoulis)
Electrical, Mechanical & Plumbing design: 2 lamda energy (Panagiotis Lykouras)
Permitting consultant: Panagouleas Constructions (Dora Apostolopoulou)
Architectural Supervision: Oikonomakis Siampakoulis architects (Ilias Oikonomakis, Angelos Siampakoulis)
Architectural Project Photos: Yannis Drakoulidis
Model Photos: Oikonomakis Siampakoulis architects (Ilias Oikonomakis, Angelos Siampakoulis)
Seating: El Greco Vitra
General contractor, construction management and project management: KUBE Contractors (Alexandros Karantinos, Nicholas Karantinos, Kalia Michail, Giannis Tsifoutis)