A partnership between Panos Nikolaidis and Errica Protestou has seen a monolithic new form erupt in Athens, Greece. The neutrally-toned office building sports a warm exterior with perforated screens at the base and a puncture in the centre through which light can penetrate.

A retractable iron gate enables access and a black rectangular column directs users in one of two directions.

Internally the harsh angles of the façade are contrasted with smooth, fluid lines which ripple across the ceiling and around the walls. The hues found within are rich and welcoming, with wooden floors and surfaces counteracted by pure white walls.

On one face the floor-to-ceiling glazing can be entirely retracted, opening up the workspace to the outside and inviting the streetscape in. The other side of this glass is met with luscious foliage which frames the view and offers an element of privacy.

JewelBOX is a multi use building in Kifisia, Athens, Greece designed by architects Panos Nikolaidis & Errica Protestou.
The jewelBOX accommodates two contradictory concepts. A monolithic mask, the building's exterior versus a fluid interior. The mask reveals the ground floor volume through an ornamental iron gate. A black rectangular column redirects the visitor towards its two sections. The retractable iron gate exposes another metal canterleveled  'sculpture'  that, along with the linear lighting, leads to the first level. A dark wooden surface running along the wall masks the elevator door , frames the entrance and literally  invades the otherwise bright  light coloured space. At this point the visitor is 'trapped' within two perforated elements that mark the waiting area through which he can get  glimpses of the white landscape wrapping around the  perimeter of the space. This synthesis is abruptly interrupted by the roof that shoots up revealing the bright light coming through the huge glazing that frames the city.

Project Data
JewelBOX , Multi use building in Kifisia
Architects: Panos Nikolaidis, Errica Protestou (http://www.panos-nikolaidis.com/)
Text: Panos Nikolaidis - Errica Protestou 
Project Management - Construction: Tconstructions Alexandros Triantafyllidis
First floor interior Design: Stagedesignoffice (Stavros Papayannis )
Photography by George Fakaros