Apollonia Politia Beauty Suites

In every architectural project undertaken by our office, our primary goal is to be on the same wavelength as the client. When Angeliki Hontou entrusted us with her vision for creating a wellness and relaxation space that would convey a sense of luxury and a private VIP experience, dedicated to high-standard service, it was a challenge for us. Our office succeeded in bringing her vision to life.

During the design process, we kept in mind that a wellness space should be a place where the body and mind can relax. We aimed to harmoniously combine elements of elegance and tranquility with aesthetics and functionality.

Descending to level -1 of Hondos Center-Apollonia Politia, time seems to stop as visitors detach from the noise of the multi-purpose store and everyday life. As they approach the suites, a sense of calm overwhelms them.

The element of surprise is immediately felt upon seeing the main entrance leading to the suites. Beyond serving as an architectural separation from the rest of the store, it provides a feeling of privacy and privileged treatment, preparing visitors for an exclusive VIP pampering experience.

Upon opening the door, the journey into an ultimate wellness experience begins, as the lobby welcoming them feels like it’s straight out of a design magazine. With pastel pink tones on the walls and carefully selected designer furniture, two stylish armchairs, a QUEEBOO mirror, and a POLSPOTTEN table, it functions as a reception area where trained aestheticians prepare clients before they enter the treatment suites. The fresh scent of Culti enhances the sensory experience, making the space even warmer and more inviting, creating an unforgettable memory—while the image of a space may fade, its scent is the last sense to leave.

A hallway leads from the waiting area to each suite, following a layout that ensures personal spaces are at the back for privacy. The two uniquely designed suites, each with its own distinct identity, guarantee an exceptional holistic experience. Both designs focus on functional simplicity, utilizing quality materials, clean lines, and a neutral color palette to evoke feelings of calm, relaxation, and accessible luxury while maintaining the functionality needed for beauty and wellness services.

The Rock

The first suite, named “The Rock,” is the hallmark of the entire project, accurately reflecting the concept of creating a spa space. As its name suggests, the dominant material used is rock, which immediately transports visitors to the cave houses of Santorini. The choice of a natural finish on the original artificial concrete rock in an off-white tone gives a sense of earthiness and a cave-like atmosphere, energizing the space and inspiring visitors to begin feeling relaxation and wellness.

The earthy, organic form of the rock is complemented by wooden flooring and linear furniture framed by a round mirror and sink, emphasizing the harmony of lines. The floor is designed in two levels to create a distinct zoning between the back area housing the curved Porcelana bathtub and the aesthetic service area, while highlighting the signature rock that immediately captures the visitor’s gaze.

Additionally, carefully designed lighting, focused with spotlights and wall washes, plays with light and shadow to further enhance the texture of the rock, bringing this natural element of the room to life and evoking associations with nature-based beauty treatments. It’s no coincidence that the rock, with the bathtub in front of it—whose curvilinear shape blends seamlessly with it—has become a favorite Instagram spot for visitors to this suite.

Art Deco

In the second suite, “Art Deco,” the aim was to create a sense of classic luxury while still being a space for relaxation. To achieve this, pastel colors, warm gray, and cream white were used on the walls, framed by a quintessential Art Deco element: rectangular decorative plaster frames. The elegant geometric forms of the frames contribute to the classic luxury, while some serve a functional role, accommodating mirrors and surfaces that can serve as frames for the brand’s campaign poster, whose products are used in the treatments.

The soothing shades of white and the calm color patterns create an atmosphere of tranquility and cleanliness. Here too, the wooden floor is a key aspect of the quiet luxurious decor and warmth.

Lighting Design

A crucial element in the design of the entire beauty suites area is light. Strong contrasts of light and shadow were utilized to create a more atmospheric journey through the space. The warm white light of 2700 Kelvin provides calmness and warmth, making visitors feel as comfortable as in their own home. Moreover, with the use of dimmers, the light level can be adjusted to the desired level depending on the treatment taking place and the client’s preferences. The chosen spotlights, with a narrow beam, focus on functional surfaces while allowing the rest of the space to remain at lower lighting levels, enhancing relaxation and privacy for the visitor. Finally, the perimeter hidden ceiling lighting provides a soft diffuse light, a source of calm.

The luxurious beauty suites we created represent a new era in wellness architecture. By combining high art in design with the philosophy of relaxation, we have created a space where beauty and relaxation dance in harmony, inviting visitors to escape everyday life into a world of absolute wellness.

TRUE BLISS FOR THE SKIN AND THE SENSES