February's FRAME Awards winner, a Thessaloniki Marriott hotel, embodies the city's rich Byzantine heritage through a material-forward design approach.

Not a Number Architects’ Monasty hotel in Thessaloniki was named the February FRAME Awards for its strong materiality. The venue draws inspiration from the city’s rich Byzantine history and the neighbouring site’s original use: when it was excavated to build the hotel, the ruins of a Byzantine monastery were discovered. The designers made use of this rich historical connection to give locals and tourists alike an authentic experience. The 100-room Marriott Autograph Collection hotel offers a zen-like environment intended to transport guests from the hustle and bustle of the city. Materials including brick, marble, leather and wood are used throughout the space, which sports a dark, yet warm. colour palette. ‘Thessaloniki has a rich Byzantine heritage,’ says Dominiki Dadatsi, cofounder of Not a Number Architects. ‘Our goal was to introduce a contemporary approach to Byzantine architecture in terms of materiality, geometry and ambience.’

Learn more about the studio’s inspiration and approach to the project in the video below: