Chapter 5: The Design

With a really strong foundation of our Mission, our Values and the Branding that will define the hotel, we started the actual design process - both the architecture and the interiors. The design of the hotel was split in 2 parts: The buildings and the landscape. Landscaping is equally important, if not more important, than the buildings themselves for our project, since the concept is about reconnecting with our environment.

So we went about to create a space that encapsulated all our ideas. We were very intentional on finding a partner that specialized in sustainable architecture and bioclimatic design. After searching for 3 months, we found Pieris.Architects and Greenways Hellas LTD whose values and expertise aligned with our vision.

The Principles

In order to achieve our mission of inspiring people to reconnect with their environment their communities and themselves, we set out to develop the guiding principles for our design.

• Discovery: Inspire people to look again, look more closely, be curious and uncover things previously unknown to them “What is this? Where does this come from? How was this made?” 
• Awakening: Evoke a rousing sense of realization and perspective of what’s important and what isn’t. “I didn’t know about this. That has changed my view on the planet”
• Simplicity: Use simple, humble, minimal design, shapes and materials - less is more 
• Organic: Nature has no straight lines - neither should life. Use shapes, colors and textures from nature and natural materials
• Hope: Encourage people to open their eyes to what is possible and what could be better - infinite possibility, forever. “There is hope for our planet and there is something I can do to help make it better”

Embracing nature

We looked at different design approaches that draw inspiration from nature, follow a free form, but stay true to its natural imperfections - what they call a 'wabi-sabi' approach in Japanese design.

Water played a very important role as well - both in nature as well as on our property, and it influenced the design of the pools and the landscape.

A focus on thresholds (doors, windows, any space separators) would allow us to enhance the spirituality of the space through allowing natural sunlight to filter in and light up various locations in the building.

Finally, we wanted to capture the feeling of old but interpreted in a more modern way. We wanted guests to connect with the land, with the people and the local culture.

Here are some photos

Common Areas

The common areas (reception, restaurant, pool area, garden, offsite space, wellness area) also had to satisfy the goals we wanted to achieve. We intentionally placed the common areas in the middle of the property, surrounded by rooms, in order to inspire people to connect and gather and meet each other within a shared space. They all had to harmoniously blend with the surroundings and create a sense of community.

The plot's topography also allowed for many interesting pathways in our landscape that would inspire discovery and create unexpected joy to our guests. We've dotted the big olive grove with breakout areas full of surprises; you'll just have to visit to explore them yourself!

Rooms

While the common areas inspire connection and community, we wanted the rooms to be private sanctuaries.

In order to achieve this we made some decisions:

1) Everything is ground floor. Every room is it's own haven. There are no rooms stacked on top of each other, and you wouldn't need to take an elevator to get to your floors. While there are outdoor stairs since the plot is on a slope, you are always situated on the ground floor - the only floor.

2) The size of the suites are well above industry average. They all have private patios with plunge pools and uninterrupted sea views. Our smallest suite starts from 48 sqm2 inside space and 90 sqm2 outside private space. The total available room space (inside and outside) starts from 132 sqm2 per room and goes all the way to 380 sqm2. This gives each guest plenty of space to disconnect and immerse themselves in nature.

3) Subterranean design with planted rooftops. A subterranean design has many sustainability benefits; it keeps the rooms cool in the summer, reducing the need for air conditioning. The planted rooftops provide shading and heat absorption keeping the outside spaces cooler as well.

Final Design

This is the culmination of countless hours, moodboards, meetings and debates.

A space that embraces nature.

A space that inspires you to disconnect.

A space that brings you closer with community.

A space that sparks exploration.

I present to you, Tella Thera:

In line with our Discovery principle, we made multiple trips to the plot and walked every inch of it again and again to better understand every facet of it - from the colour and texture of its rock to the types of native plant and animal life we found living on its soil. We also did these walks with different team members and stakeholders, including the landowner himself who was tending to the 250 olive trees on property. We decided that our aim was to incorporate as much of the native landscape as possible.

We discovered many interesting things, like these tiny wild asparagus . These are used by locals as an ingredient for fresh omelets.

I guess we're serving asparagus omeletes

Next week I will be doing a deep on Hospitality Tech. It's a very confusing landscape and I'd like to share some observations. Also, AI?

Chapter 6: Hospitality Tech drops next Friday