BUILD Q4 2026 Split between Athens and London, ASPA KST is an award-winning architectural office in Greece and the UK, acclaimed for its sustainable architecture and urban planning. Its user-centred approach sees it work on a host of exciting projects, from homes and offices to hospitals and shopping malls. To learn more about the projects behind its dual recognition in this year’s Architecture Awards, we caught up with Konstantina Tsagkaratou, its UK founder and senior partner and design director. Best Sustainable Architecture & Urban Design Studio 2026 – Europe & Large-Scale Retail & Office Design Excellence Award 2026 ASPA KST was founded in 1990 by a group of professionals with extensive experience in architectural design and urban planning for both the public and private sectors. Over the last 35 years, the studio has grown from its base in Athens into an international office working in Greece and abroad. The opening of its London studio coincided with the company’s 30th anniversary and marked a new chapter in the story of a practice that has gone from strength to strength as it has delivered its services across Europe. Guided by its belief that architecture is for all, ASPA KST does not discriminate when it comes to projects. Its work can be found in public and private settings across Greece and the UK, for large developers and small private clients alike. What unites all these projects is that the team believes in them. If the team does not believe in a project, it simply will not design it. This rigour in its work defines the studio’s design approach. “Spaces are meant to be lived in. It’s a great privilege to contribute to that.” Equally integral to ASPA KST’s projects is its focus on sustainable architecture and urban planning. This is not just greenwashing, but genuine sustainability. Since the built environment accounts for around 40% of global carbon emissions, Konstantina and the team recognise that they have a responsibility to do things better. Sustainability is more than a choice for ASPA KST, which believes it is necessary to champion sustainable practice across its work. This sustainable undercurrent can be seen throughout the studio’s portfolio, including in the two large-scale projects it has in the works, both set for completion later this month. The first, the New Courthouse of Piraeus, Greece, is very special to the team, as architects do not often get the chance to design such an important building. The project had a specific brief and involved a steep learning curve, making attention to detail key. In contrast, the Ring comprises two buildings, two briefs and one plot. Konstantina explained: “One is the new Technical Chambers of Athens and the other is doctors’ offices for the Athens Medical Centre, the hospital across the street.” Both projects have been unique and challenging. The latter has been particularly rewarding, as it marks the continuation of a partnership between ASPA KST and the hospital group. Konstantina added: “We strongly believe in their vision for healthcare and try to contribute to it with our architecture.” Describing how these and other projects are brought to life, Konstantina told us that every project is unique and treated as such: each is approached from scratch, without recycling past ideas. There are many things to consider in these designs, including the possibility of future retrofitting. This means designing something that works perfectly today but can be transformed into something completely different in the future, with as little change as possible to the building itself. Making fewer changes means producing less carbon. This is ultimately what ASPA KST exists to do: usher in a brighter, more sustainable future for the built environment and make everything from small developments to large-scale retail and office projects as excellent as it is environmentally friendly. Looking ahead, ASPA KST remains as committed as ever to creating architecture and urbanism that have a positive impact on the world around us, both aesthetically and environmentally. It plans to pursue this commitment through several larger projects, some of which it is developing independently and others in collaboration with well-known international practices such as WATG, UNStudio and KPF. As these projects come to fruition, we can recognise this award-winning architectural office in Greece and the UK with this pair of well-deserved awards. Contact: Konstantina Tsagkaratou Company: ASPA KST Web address: https://www.aspa-kst.com/ ASPA KST
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