kois associated architects completes delta restaurant as multi-sensorial experience in athens

delta restaurant stimulates guests collective memory

kois associated architects designed ‘delta’, a fine contemporary restaurant that offers a multi-sensorial experience to the visitors. the project is located within the stavros niarchos foundation cultural center (SNFCC) in athens, greece — one of the prominent cultural complexes in the country, designed by renzo piano (see our previous article here). following the same aesthetic and artistic scene, the design team sought to arouse guests’ collective memory, generating subconsciously a sense of euphoria and familiarity upon entering in.

‘the restaurant introduces a completely new approach for greek standards,’ as stelios kois, founder of the athens-based studio, told designboom in a previous interview. all images courtesy of jérôme galland

expressing the cultural diversity of modern greece

the design of the restaurant was undertaken by the award-winning studio kois associated architects, expressing the cultural diversity of modern greece through the creation of atmospheres that refer to the country’s cultural identity.

avoiding the use of historic motives or objects, they directed on archetypal characteristics and narratives, emphasizing the experience of the enigmatic greek mythos and identity. the space utilizes a new interpretation based on the human scale, in an attempt to provide an intimate feeling to the visitors. 

‘we saw the programmatic articulation as an opportunity to create an intricate spatial realization. we did not compartmentalize the space; instead, we opted for a hierarchical allocation of functions, creating elevational differentiations that form a topological landscape within the space. we wanted the visitor to get a full grasp of the spatiality through an uninterrupted gaze. the challenge was through architecture to achieve a democratic division of program, space, and the view, without compromising the dinner’s privacy,’ mentioned the team.

a sculptural bar as a centerpiece

raw materials enhance the authenticity and sustainability of the project:  wood, metal, and stone create a smooth visual connection that welcomes the visitor, referring to greek architectural modernism paradigms. upon entering the venue, the guest faces the mosaic floor made of large fragments of crystalline marble. an iconic sculptural bar — created by sculptors voukenas and petrides — stands as a centerpiece, awaking visual and tactile senses. its uneven curved body is characterized by its splendor, with a continuous dynamic movement and a soft inner glow. further wandering the venue, the guest will meet the spacious kitchen area, enclosed in a translucent volume where the changes of the light intensity and temperature generate a vivid yet calming atmosphere.

‘experiential interchangeability is for us a very important concept. we imagined the programmatic articulation as a mosaic of experiences that take place at different spatial fragments.’

the project fuses a gastronomic experience with a contemporary social ritual. functioning as a cultural hub, delta collaborates with artists and incorporates their works in the restaurant’s venue, while also hosting educational programs, workshops, and activities like wine tasting. ‘we saw the restaurant not only as a place of social gathering and entertainment but also as a democratic experiential platform where all enjoy equally the dining ritual.’ 

project info:

name: SNFCC/ delta restaurant

architects: kois associated architects

principal architect: stelios kois

project leader: nikos apergis

design team: leonardos katsaros, marielina stavrou, myrto georgiadou, mandy makri, vasiliki papargiri, antonios sarlanis, kostas trichias, lydia antoniou, rodolfo tupay, anestis michalis, nikos patsiaouras

location: athens, greece

area: 885 sqm
photography: jérôme galland