Art & Culture

Since 1950, renowned American photographer Robert McCabe has captured the essence of Greece, preserving its landscapes, archaeological wonders, and the everyday life of its people. His work offers a rare glimpse into the Greek islands before tourism, revealing a world of simplicity and authenticity. Stepping into the exhibition at the Acropolis Museum, visitors embark on a journey through time. Curving blue walls guide them like gentle waves, leading them deeper into the past. At the heart of the space, an "island" awaits, offering a place to pause and take it all in. Illuminated in warm light, McCabe’s photographs stand proudly in rugged metal frames, reminiscent of street signs scattered across an island’s winding paths.

Art & Culture

The Archaeological Museum of Messenia hosted the Princes of Pylos - Bronze Age Treasures of Messenia, featuring artifacts from the Griffin Warrior’s tomb and newly discovered tholos tombs, presented to the public for the first time. The exhibition design is centered around the circle, referencing the concave shape of the Messinian Gulf, the circular architecture of the Mycenaean tholos tombs, and the central hearth of Nestor’s throne room. These elements guide the spatial experience, evoking the textures of stone, earth, and burial. The lighting design mirrors the visitor's journey through a tomb, transitioning from light to dark. Upon entering, the space is brightly lit, then gradually dims as visitors move deeper, with focused lighting highlighting the exhibits.

Restaurant & Bar

The Twenty One Restaurant & Bar is a haven of refined aesthetics, where design, art, and exceptional hospitality converge. An exclusive retreat in Athens’ northern suburbs, it pulses with elegance from day to night, seamlessly blending intimacy and vibrance. Lighting shapes a visual narrative as a reflective gold ceiling catches the glow of carefully placed luminaires, while table lamps cast soft pools of warmth, illuminating velvet, marble, and wood with quiet sophistication. In the bar, sculptural lamps shimmer against polished surfaces, layering nostalgia with modern allure. A harmony of Mediterranean charm and contemporary elegance, The Twenty One is a destination where ambiance becomes an experience.

Retail

Located near the Acropolis in downtown Athens, ĒRE Athens offers a unique blend of retail and coffee, featuring curated treasures and specialty items. With elegant lighting and a focus on history and modernity, it's more than a store; it's a lifestyle experience where history, flavor, and light converge.

Residential

In this intimate residential project, a subtle touch transforms the space. Meeting the Architect's vision for a harmonious blend of lighting and architectural elements, the house cleverly conceals lighting fixtures, optimizing space and creating a contemporary living experience. Seamless lighting details align with the building's clean lines and interior design, underlining the project's success, which hinges on the meticulous integration of lighting and materials.

Hospitality

Reflecting its poetic ethos, the lighting at Homeric Poems boutique hotel seamlessly blends with the interior’s material palette. Carefully chosen fixtures complement fabrics and finishes, while outdated sources were replaced with efficient LEDs. To enhance the hospitality experience, lighting was positioned at eye level or lower, creating a warm, immersive ambiance without altering the ceiling. Exterior lighting preserves unobstructed views of the Aegean Sea, allowing the natural landscape to remain the focal point. The result is an atmospheric design that enhances both comfort and aesthetics.

Arts & Culture

A Bosporus coastal icon, Istanbul Museum of Modern Art is Turkey's first contemporary art gallery. The lighting scheme seamlessly blends with the architecture, inviting visitors to explore the warm-lit interiors. At night, it creates a striking visual statement with soft reflections on the exterior canopies and subtle illumination of walkways and escape stairs.

[Alex Bourganou for ARUP London]

Education

In the heart of East London's Olympic Park, UCL East is an impressive architectural feat inspired by UCL's original campus. Sustainability was a priority, meeting BREAM standards. The lighting design fosters community and connectivity, seamlessly integrating "villages" and a vibrant "streetscape". Within the building itself, lighting enhances functionality and the occupant experience across collaborative spaces, study areas, meeting rooms, exhibitions, and research zones.

[Alex Bourganou for ARUP London]

Offices

Arup's new London campus at 80 Charlotte Street is the city's largest all-electric building, designed for hybrid workspaces. It features wireless Bluetooth lighting for sustainability and flexibility, and it's London's first large-scale all-electric building, setting a new standard for post-pandemic hybrid workplaces.

[Alex Bourganou for Arup London]

High-End Retail

The Riviera Galleria's nighttime transformation is achieved through a carefully designed lighting strategy. This strategy has a dual purpose: it blends the building with its surroundings and highlights its unique architectural features, including the undulating canopy. The lighting scheme seamlessly guides visitors from the natural greenery enveloping the site to luxurious interiors, enhancing their experience. Additionally, it turns the structure into an alluring backdrop along the promenade, elevating its overall aesthetic appeal.

[Alex Bourganou for Eleftheria Deko Lighting Design]

Hospitality

The historic Lygon Arms, the UK's oldest coaching Inn in the Cotswolds, has been beautifully restored under new ownership. The project aimed to blend different architectural styles and introduced new bars and lounges. The interior design features deep, dark tones, timber, and historical elements, offering a strong connection to local heritage. Lighting helps preserve the architectural details and historical elements of a building while creating visual focal points that evoke a sense of nostalgia.

[Alex Bourganou for MBLD]