COCO-MAT Hotel Athens by Elastic Architects / Iconic Awards 2017 WINNER & German Design Awards 2018 NOMINEE

 

 

 

 

 

The reconstructed, existing building, in Kolonaki, formerly known as “block of flats Z. Lorentzatos”, designed by the Architect M. Lazaridis was built in the year 1935. The midwar architecture building in the Athenian city center was characterized by the vertical symmetry of its façade and the erker, as well as its balconies with the curved finishes.

The proposed architectural design intends to signify the project’s identity as a hotel, both on functional and on aesthetic terms. To this end, the formation of the façade became a priority. This process was guided by the respect towards the basic principles of the original architectural design of the building.


In this context, efforts were made to promote its characteristic features, using new architectural vocabulary, aligned to the philosophy of COCO-MAT for the use of natural and ecological materials. The morphology of the existing shell is restated through this transformation, thus highlighting the building in the modern urban web.

The «COCO-MAT Hotel Athens» constitutes a tourist flow attraction and responds to the expectations for a welcoming environment, introducing the local architectural identity to the visitors, which is preserved and reinterpreted.

 

About Iconic Awards

Architecture. Interior. Product. Communication. Concept.
A competition for the whole world of architecture.

Iconic Awards are finding ways for architectural honours to express new dimensions. Awards are given to visionary buildings, innovative products and sustainable communication in all sectors of architecture, the construction and real estate business and the manufacturing industries.

The focus is on the holistic staging and interaction of the trades in the context of architecture.

With these awards, the German Design Council wants simultaneously to strengthen interdisciplinary dialogue and broaden public understanding of architecture. Last but not least, distribution of specialcategory awards honours those people who with their strength of vision, bring new and lasting life to our surroundings.

The German Design Council: A Long-Established competition organizer
As one of the world’s leading design and architecture excellence centres, the German Design Council is active at the nexus between designers and the construction industry.

The German Design Council’s awards recognise important contemporary developments as well as exceptional design accomplishments – and they are renowned around the world.
More than 280 companies currently belong to the donor group of the German Design Council.

The German Design Council was founded in 1953 on the initiative of the German Bundestag to promote design excellence in the German economy. Its many activities have just one aim: to communicate how the strategic use of design can sustainably increase brand value.

The jury of the Iconic Awards 2017:
• Michel Casertano, Atelier Brückner GmbH, Stuttgart
• Marco Dessí, Studio Marco Dessí, Vienna
• Dr. Louise Kiesling, COOP HIMMELB(L)AU, Vienna
• Silvia Olp, Phoenix Design, Stuttgart/Munich/Shanghai
• Linda Stannieder, GRAFT BRANDLAB GmbH, Berlin
• Stefan Weil, Atelier Markgraph, Frankfurt/Main
• Andrej Kupetz, Rat für Formgebung, Frankfurt/Main

Categories:
Thanks to five main categories, the Iconic Awards create a forum for the whole world of architecture.
• Architecture
• Interior
• Product
• Communication
• Concept

Special categories
Moreover, nominations for the special categories are made by the specialist jury.


Award ceremony
The official award ceremony will take place in the BMW Welt during the Expo Real trade fair on 4th
October 2017 in Munich.