Large square desking creates space for arts and crafts.
Large square desking creates space for arts and crafts.

March 30, 2022

Words: Jesse Dorris

Photography: Athina Souli

KCA Puts Flexibility at the Head of This Class in Athens, Greece

About three miles from the Parthenon in the southern Kallithea region of Athens, students attend the research and education center Elkyda, part of the larger school Charismatheia. Shanghai-based firm KCA designed the 2,400-square-foot space, a renovation of a former office on the 3rd floor of a 5th story building. 

“The biggest challenge was to reconfigure the typical office layout to fit the functional requirements of an education space,” says founder Kostas Chatzigiannis. “Our main design principals of openness, connection, and collaboration implied an open and flexible layout, as opposed to the rigid and divided space we were given at first.”

A multi-function room enables student teams of any size to collaborate, while teachers gather at a communal desk in the back. Throughout, graphic murals incorporate inspirational keywords and symbology. And an expanse of raised benching is the perfect spot for homework or lectures. “We were looking for a much softer yellow hue,” for the benches, says Chatzigiannis. “However, the accidentally bright, almost fluorescent-yellow prototype was much more fun.” It’s his favorite detail in the project—and the students’ favorite hangout spot. 

Marantoni chairs pull up to large, communal desks by Jysk.
Marantoni chairs pull up to large, communal desks by Jysk.
KCA’s graphic designer Valentina Alberti hand-stenciled murals including one of the Greek word for experience throughout the space.
KCA’s graphic designer Valentina Alberti hand-stenciled murals including one of the Greek word for experience throughout the space.
A corridor with stenciled murals of eyes and lighthouses links the multi-function room, private areas for the professors and director, and smaller classrooms.
A corridor with stenciled murals of eyes and lighthouses links the multi-function room, private areas for the professors and director, and smaller classrooms.
Dropped tubular lighting illuminates Marantoni tables and chairs in a classroom.
Dropped tubular lighting illuminates Marantoni tables and chairs in a classroom.
Large square desking creates space for arts and crafts.
Large square desking creates space for arts and crafts.
A clock by Octopus keeps time above a telescope which offers views of the nearby Parthenon and Acropolis.
A clock by Octopus keeps time above a telescope, which offers views of the nearby Parthenon and Acropolis.
A custom beech bookcase offers desking for students to use between classes.
A custom beech bookcase offers desking for students to use between classes.
A Magis stool rests near the multi-function room’s benching, which incorporates storage for the students.
A Magis stool rests near the multi-function room’s benching, which incorporates storage for the students.

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