Syggrou Office Complex

• Architects

The Syggrou Office Complex is a new landmark commercial scheme in the centre of Athens. Comprising two eight-storey buildings, the first achieved LEED Platinum, through close collaboration between the developer, new owner, and professional team. Platinum exceeds the project’s target of Gold and is the highest possible LEED certification for sustainable buildings internationally.
Designed by Bennetts Associates and Divercity Architects for developer DIMAND S.A., the 15,600 sqm office complex sets a new benchmark for workplace in Athens and Greece, with its high-quality, sustainable and people-centric design. To deliver this world-class project, Bennetts Associates took an approach that balances expression of modernity with a celebration of the city’s rich history, climate and stunning light to create a design that is appropriately rooted.

photo_credit Yiorgos Yerolymbos — Yiorgos Yerolymbos

The prominent corner site is located on one of Athens’ key thoroughfares, Leoforos Syggrou, which links the city centre with the sea. The scheme enjoys stunning views to the Acropolis, Mount Lycabettus, the mountains, the city centre, and the sea. It also complements other significant architecture in the area, including the Onassis Stegi Cultural Centre and the Hellenic General Insurance HQ, helping to further cement the district as a major commercial and cultural destination for the city.
At the heart of the architectural vision is a modern reinterpretation of classical design through elements such as the ‘stoa’ (a colonnade that grounds and connects both buildings to the context) and the ‘peristyle’ (a framed entrance shared by both buildings with a new garden at its heart). Striking sculpted rooflines deliberately draw the eye of those passing by on Leoforos Syggrou, while elegant facades of locally sourced white marble fins capture the best of the city’s natural light while providing ample shade, driving energy efficiency and targeting lower embodied carbon.

photo_credit Nikos Daniilidis — Nikos Daniilidis

Aiming to maximise passive design, the design strategy focuses on working with rather than against the local climate. Measures include limiting the amount of glass to 40% of the façade, full shading to all areas, an innovative low-energy air conditioning system and green roofs measuring 1,100 sqm in total. A full Life Cycle Assessment was undertaken to evaluate and lower the scheme’s embodied carbon and overall environmental footprint.
In addition to the green roofs, biophilia plays a strong role elsewhere to further enhance biodiversity and support occupier health and wellbeing. The complex incorporates two planted terraces and a c.650 sqm lush green garden that references traditional Greek courtyards and creates an oasis of calm and comfort for employees.

Team:

Architects: Divercity Architects

Architects: Bennetts Associates Architects

Landscape Architects: H. PANGALOU
Engineers: Pagonis - Polichronopoulos - Kinatos CO
Engineers: INSTA Consultants Engineers
Photographers: Nikos Daniilidis & Yiorgis Yerolymbos