Urban Soul Project, known for redefining hospitality spaces, crafts environments embracing local narratives and cultural textures. Their project in Mykonos, Greece, captures this ethos, blending Cycladic architectural simplicity with a philosophy of slow living. This tranquil space unfolds amidst sunlit patios, inviting guests into an authentic Greek experience.
From Boutique Beginnings to Global Influence
Founded in Thessaloniki in 2009, Urban Soul Project’s journey from a local design firm to an internationally recognized entity highlights their commitment to spatial innovation. Winning the Architectural Studio of the Year at the GRAIL Awards 2026, their approach to hospitality design exemplifies a fusion of identity, functionality, and aesthetic excellence.
Material Sensitivity: A Touchstone of Hospitality Design
The studio’s meticulous attention to material and cultural contexts sets their projects apart. In a 2024 overhaul of the Athenaeum InterContinental Athens, they elegantly divided 35,500 square meters into welcoming, purpose-driven zones using timber, marble, and leather, ensuring a blend of grandeur and intimacy. Their work on the Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki also reflects this, aligning hospitality with local flavors without losing brand essence.
Intersecting Spaces: New Urban Narratives
Urban Soul Project’s ERGON projects in London, Athens, and Thessaloniki redefine hospitality by interweaving accommodation with cultural, gastronomical, and retail elements. For instance, their collaboration with Zeus+Dione in London merges local heritage with the brand’s identity, creating spaces that feel both personal and expansive. The ERGON Bakehouse in Athens creatively integrates heritage architecture with modern hospitality, showcasing a dynamic blend of old and new.
Another exploration of reimagined space in architecture can be found in Shanghai’s underground transformation by Wutopia Lab, which innovatively maximizes urban settings.
Embracing Nature at Resort Scale
Emphasizing environmental integration, the firm’s resort designs, such as Domes of Elounda in Crete, naturally incorporate the terrain’s textures—stone, marble, and wood—creating harmonious retreats. The Chora extension exemplifies this with scenic suites and intimate lounges, reflecting their capacity to translate island heritage into modern designs.
For those interested in exploring further innovations in architectural design, check out Greek-inspired compact cabin design and its harmonious integration with the environment.
Fluidity: Modern Traveler’s Paradise
Addressing evolving traveler needs, Urban Soul Project designs functional fluidity into spaces like Courtyard by Marriott in Ghent, Belgium. Here, SCALA operates as a versatile space for business and leisure, while ARNO and STROOM offer culinary experiences merging with social interaction, crafting an intersection of productivity and hospitality.
Deconstructing Traditional Boundaries
The Groningen City Hotel’s design in the Netherlands challenges conventional hospitality formats. By transforming the lobby into a vibrant social space with a hybrid bar, the firm replaces traditional structures with interactive, multifunctional environments, setting the stage for dynamic guest interactions and experiences.
Urban Soul Project continuously refines their practice, anchoring projects in structural integrity and a nuanced understanding of materials. Their approach is a testament to fostering emotional and memorable experiences through spatial design that harmoniously blends with its surroundings.
Source: designboom.com
Frequently asked questions
What design philosophy did Urban Soul Project use in Mykonos?
Urban Soul Project’s project in Mykonos blends Cycladic architectural simplicity with a philosophy of slow living, creating a tranquil space that offers an authentic Greek experience.
How does Urban Soul Project handle material sensitivity in hospitality design?
The studio is meticulous about material and cultural contexts, using materials like timber, marble, and leather to create harmonious designs that blend grandeur with intimacy.
What is the focus of Urban Soul Project’s ERGON projects?
Urban Soul Project’s ERGON projects redefine hospitality by interweaving accommodation with cultural, gastronomical, and retail elements, creating spaces that feel both personal and expansive.