In a deft architectural gesture, London-based Neiheiser Argyros and Athens-based Esé studio have reimagined Aigli Zappeiou, breathing contemporary life into a historic 1904 café nestled within Athens’ lush National Gardens.
The design team approached this cultural landmark with the precision of archaeologists and the sensitivity of sociologists, unearthing layers of the past while attuning their intervention to the rhythms of modern Athenian society.
At the heart of this renewed venue is the Aigli All-Day Café, where simplicity meets tactile refinement. Striking green marble from Tinos envelops the lower walls, its roughly finished joints evoking a garden-like informality that harmonizes seamlessly with the surrounding park. A commanding 20-meter marble bar stretches across the spacious double-height interior, seamlessly integrating practical elements such as coffee stations and even a DJ booth, thus inviting visitors to linger and mingle.
Transparency and fluidity underpin the architectural vision. The café’s previously secluded rear façade now generously opens toward the National Gardens, introducing ample daylight and verdant vistas. The introduction of sizable indoor planters, lush with Ficus trees, further blurs boundaries between interior comfort and outdoor charm. Additionally, a strategic window offers diners captivating views into the bustling kitchen, turning culinary preparation into an intimate theatrical experience.
In contrast, the Aigli Restaurant offers a retreat-like intimacy, harmonizing classical grace with modern restraint. Here, designers meticulously restored the original red-and-white marble floors, cleverly mirroring their triangular motifs in an elegantly reinterpreted wooden ceiling. Warm yellow booths line the space, their inviting curves juxtaposed by a sculptural central bar, creating a balanced atmosphere of quiet sophistication. Wood, stone, and rich textiles invite guests to savor the culinary offerings in a leisurely, contemplative mood.
Neiheiser Argyros and Esé studio aptly describe their aesthetic approach as "ornamental minimalism," a nuanced contradiction that simultaneously honors and simplifies classical elements. By redirecting spatial dynamics to be outward-facing, the architects have significantly broadened Aigli's engagement with its surroundings, creating fresh vistas and fluid circulation that connects the site deeply with both gardens and cityscape. This thoughtful spatial logic establishes a dialogue between heritage and innovation, bridging past and future.
Aigli Zappeiou's thoughtful revival forms part of a broader architectural ecosystem, encompassing a cinema, music venue, event hall, conference center, and art gallery. Each component maintains a distinct identity yet harmonizes under a cohesive architectural language, collectively embodying an alluring constellation of contrasts.
