Q3 2026 ATHES architects: Breathing Life into Bioclimatic Design The House of Breathing Void is a bioclimatic residential building designed by Sylvia Georgiadou and Katerina Vagianou. The home is centred around the idea of the atrium, which functions as both its emotional and environmental core, allowing air and light to circulate freely whilst creating a strong connection between interior and exterior spaces. Its design is shaped by a clear southern orientation that maximises sunlight, natural ventilation, and passive heating. From this combination of the open atrium and solar orientation, a diagonal gesture arose in the building’s form: a spatial and sustainable response that defines its identity. At the House of Breathing Void, light acts as a dynamic element that transforms the interior experience over time, creating a constantly evolving atmosphere. “This project represents a holistic approach to architecture, where sustainability, human experience, and spatial quality are harmoniously aligned,” said Katerina. “It appealed to us especially because it goes beyond technical sustainability and explores how environmental design can also be poetic and emotionally engaging.” Sylvia added, “The idea of a house that ‘breathes’ and interacts with its surroundings is particularly appealing in a Mediterranean context, where the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor living is essential.” Sustainability was a fundamental driver of this project, directly informing many of the key design decisions made by ATHES architects at even its earliest stages. The design concept of the house was driven by bioclimatic principles, with one of the main strategies being its southern orientation. This allows the property to capture maximum winter sunlight for passive heating, whilst remaining protected during the hotter months. This decision strongly influenced the geometry of the house, leading to the diagonal gesture in its form as a response to the sun’s path. Furthermore, its central atrium plays a crucial role in creating natural ventilation, acting as a thermal chimney that promotes airflow and reduces the need for mechanical cooling. What’s more, sustainability was also embedded in the material and construction choices. The project incorporates low-embodied carbon and recycled materials, as well as enhanced insulation and airtight construction to improve energy efficiency. Water management strategies, including reduction and flood control systems, were also integrated to ensure responsible resource use. “Overall, sustainability was not treated as a separate layer but as an integral part of the design process,” Sylvia told us. “It influenced both the architectural expression and the lived experience of the space, resulting in a house that is not only energy efficient but also adaptable, resilient, and connected to its environment.” For Sylvia and Katerina, this project was particularly special due to the challenge of developing the concept and seeing it through to construction. Translating the idea of the “Breathing Void” – the atrium – into a coherent architectural language required careful thought and continuous alignment, especially when balancing spatial quality with environmental performance. Operating at the intersection of architectural and bioclimatic design, ATHES architects is a leading architectural firm with offices in Thessaloniki and Athens, Greece. The firm has earned renown for creating unique and sustainable buildings that merge the boundaries between architecture and urban design. As ATHES architects is named in the Design and Build Awards 2026, we spoke with Partners Sylvia Georgiadou and Katerina Vagianou to find out more about one of the firm’s most significant projects, The House of Breathing Void. Equally important for ATHES architects was the supervision of the construction phase, wherein the design intent was to be maintained and adapted to on-site conditions. Ensuring that the bioclimatic principles and sustainability strategies were properly implemented on-site was both demanding and rewarding for the team. The House of Breathing Void demanded careful consideration of materials, construction methods, and detailing to achieve both the targeted energy performance and the desired architectural design. At the same time, ATHES architects found it incredibly rewarding to bridge the gap between concept and the built environment, ensuring that the original vision – particularly in terms of architectural and environmental responsiveness – was successfully realised. The result of this exceptional work goes beyond an energy-efficient building; The House of Breathing Void is a living environment that adapts, inspires, and enhances every day life. It is this harmonious balance between environmental performance and poetic expression that makes The House of Breathing Void such a truly distinctive project, propelling ATHES architects to stand at the very forefront of bioclimatic design and earning it status as Greece’s Leading Sustainable Architecture Firm 2026. Contact: Sylvia Georgiadou & Katerina Vagianou Company: ATHES architects Web Address: www.athesarchitects.com AIM-Mar26042
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