SUITES ON THE ROCKS

On the edge of the wild cliffs below the picturesque village of Potamos in Amorgos, this complex of private suites aims to fill the gap of comfortable and autonomous luxury accommodations in this charmingly barren place. Here, beauty and functionality become one, stimulating our sense of touch. The furniture, walls, and coverings feature organic materials such as wood, cement mortar, and linen fabrics. All are crafted by local artisans, highlighting the importance of the artisan’s labor, the “imperfection” of their produced goods, and the tenderness of this imperfection, its uniqueness, and its character. The pool, carved into the rock like a basin, is fully integrated aesthetically into the Amorgian landscape, while the multiple seating areas we designed offer unprecedented comfort and a sense of luxury in this “uncomfortable” and wild beauty of the wider landscape.

The first section of suites, named “Earth,” is primarily aimed at couples. The signature features of these rooms are the planted cacti, specific species found in the Amorgos countryside, behind each bed, as well as the straw mat, which spans the entire room, giving a sense of “barefoot” luxury. To separate the bed area from the rest of the space, making it more private and atmospheric, we elevated the bed one level above the rest of the room and isolated it with the help of curtains.

The bathroom is separated from the rest of the room by a curtain, while the wall cladding introduces a play of rocky textures and varied geometry, as an ode to the intense materiality of the place.

Naturally, there had to be an option to accommodate large families, friends, or couples who want more space. Therefore, we created a set of large suites that can function both as unified spaces and as two separate rooms. The main design challenge was to avoid monotony and repetitiveness, both in the type of furniture and in their arrangement.

For the other room, we chose further earthy tones, focusing on the bed’s headboard, the bed itself, the lighting fixtures, and the bathtub, which is the main benefit of this space. The bathtub is separated from the bed area by a curtain, creating the feeling of a private spa and stimulating the guests’ sense of exploration.

The third group of rooms mimics the first group in terms of target audience: couples. Inside, the elements of rocky Earth (in the wallpaper and material selection) and water (in the overhead showers hidden behind the bed) take center stage. On one hand, the pattern of intense textures and the wild beauty of the Amorgian landscape is repeated; on the other, the design imparts a warm, atmospheric, and protective feeling.