Hidden in the small streets of Psirri in downtown Athens, next to the historic st.Dimitrios church, lies an old classical Athenian residence built in 1895 that was tasked to our studio in order to create a unique boutique hotel in the heart of town. According to the brief, we needed to create a space that would give the hotel's residents a freedom of choice and would best accommodate their returning clients.

The innovative approach started with the storytelling, a Medley of songs, inspired by the owner's love for music and melodies. Nine different concepts were developed, each reflecting the meaning of the song to which the specific room is devoted, thus creating a different place to be in every visit. The central corridors and common spaces were given a playful musical aesthetic and taken care so that most of the limited space can be used and enjoyed by the residents.

The distinctive style of each music piece is blended with the traditional Greek idea of philoxenia. The textures and shapes connect to aspects of the local culture to remind the resident how tradition blends with modernity. For instance, the main wallpaper chosen for the room Nostalgia is one depicting the schematics of an old weave, such as the ones an Athenian might find in their grandmother's house. A small seating area was included in each room and easy access to the common indoor and outdoor spaces were ensured to nurture the sense of community that is intricately woven into Greek society. Special emphasis was given to the colors that were used not only to reveal the feeling of each song, but also to enhance the light, atmosphere and architectural elements of the structure. These aspects create an atmosphere that transcends the boundaries of design, art and an immersive experience.

Preserving the structure was a challenge. During the renovation works, structural elements were added to assist with the needs of a modern hotel. The original flower paintings of the ceilings of the historic building were restored as well as the marble and wooden flooring. The wooden flooring of the corridors was covered by a custom carpet to prevent damage from heavy use and introduce musical elements. The bathrooms were created as boxes within rooms, to preserve the beautiful ceiling paintings. All architectural furniture (reception desk, cupboards, nightstands etc.) were hand crafted by local fabricators and designed using sustainable materials. In the outdoor spaces, the original architecture was sustained -the fountain, hayat and other classical Athenian elements- and imbued with greenery to create the essence of the typical Greek city garden. The tiles, wallpapers, other furniture and lighting used in the project were provided by partners ethically responsible with a sound sustainability policy.

Medley not only represents the harmonic continuation of musical notes, but also the medley of styles, colors, art, the new, the old, and everything that makes us who we are.