studio visit at saint of athens, the greek creative agency blending design, branding & interiors

DESIGNBOOM visitS saint of athens

Saint of Athens is a greek creative studio that focuses on branding, design, and communication. Based in central Athens, the agency was founded in 2017 and works across a diverse range of multidisciplinary projects, from immersive retail and hospitality interiors, to packaging and object design. Whether by crafting a swimming pool-like jewelry store or a boutique that resembles a white marble quarry, Saint of Athens has managed to carve a unique niche within their field through an interdisciplinary modus operandi that has brought in clients like Reebok, Nespresso, Four Seasons, and Gavello.

designboom visited Saint of Athens in Kolonaki and caught up with its three co-founders, Nikos Paleologos, Timis Kokkinopoulos, and Vassilis Paleologos, to find out more about the studio’s origins and its creative identity. ‘The studio’s style is characterized by our global design knowledge, shaped by the experiences gained during our travels,’ says Nikos Paleologos. ‘Additionally, art plays a significant role in our work. There is not a single project in which we haven’t engaged with an artist while creating the key visual.’ This philosophy underscores the agency’s commitment to a fusion of worldly influences and artistic collaboration, resulting in a distinctive and globally informed design perspective.

the entrance hall of the Saint of Athens studio | image © designboom

THE ORIGINS OF THE GREEK CREATIVE agency

Prior to establishing Saint of Athens, creative director Nikos Paleologos worked in the advertising industry. Exhausted by the nature of the industry and driven by his passion for design, envisioned a new path — a creative studio with a fresh marketing approach. This vision propelled his decision to step away from his former job and embark on an extended journey to Canada. ‘During a train ride between Montreal and Toronto, I made the decision to create the office,’ he recalls.

The studio’s name draws inspiration from Yves Saint Laurent, who democratized design through the concept of prêt-à-porter clothing. Additionally, the name is influenced by the film Saint, where the character exemplifies honesty and solves cases without deception. Thus, the inclusion of ‘Saint’ in the name symbolizes a blend of creativity and morality. The term ‘Athens’ was chosen because the team believes that if their work is to resonate globally, the city of Athens should be acknowledged as part of its roots.

Saint of Athens co-founders (from left to right), Vassilis Paleologos, Nikos Paleologos and Timis Kokkinopoulos | image © designboom

A STUDIO THAT LETS THE WORK SPEAK FOR ITSELF

As Saint of Athens’ team and clientele expanded, a unique policy emerged: refraining from participating in design competitions. The studio’s belief lies in letting their work speak for itself, showcasing their creativity and innovation without the need for external validation. Despite this unconventional approach, Saint of Athens’ reputation soared, attracting a diverse array of clients. ‘One client brought the next one. I can’t pinpoint the exact reason, but it might be attributed to our distinctive style,’ Paleologos remarks. ‘We’ve established a recognizable identity that resonates with luxury and niche brands.’

‘People encounter our work and recognize it. However, this doesn’t mean that each project is a replica of the other. We’ve always considered ourselves a studio, unafraid to experiment with and explore diverse aesthetics. Despite this creative diversity, there’s a common thread that ties all our projects and marks them as our own,’ he adds.

every corner is adorned with books and posters, many of which designed by the studio itself | image © designboom

Approaching architectural projects as non-architects

While Nikos Paleologos doesn’t have a conventional architectural background, the team confidently tackles interior architecture projects, spanning from retail to hospitality spaces. Their foray into this field began when they were tasked with creating a client’s visual identity. This led to the opportunity to evaluate a proposed space design by another professional team. Noticing a disconnect between the space and the visual identity, the studio decided to step in and propose a new design. ‘We felt the space didn’t quite align with the identity,’ Paleologos explains. ‘So, our client asked us to come up with a new idea. We started experimenting and creating 3D renderings of our interior design. In the end, our proposal was approved.’

To bring these projects to life, the studio relies on close collaboration with external partners: architects, engineers, and other specialized professionals. ‘This job has taught me that you can create anything you can dream up if you have the right team by your side.’

the studio is also decorated with pop culture references, like this Astro Boy sculpture | image © designboom

gavello jewelry store in mykonos

One of Saint of Athens’ most eye-catching projects is the revamp of the Gavello jewelry store interior in Mykonos, Greece. Marking one of the studio’s most recognizable works, this daring transformation transformed the store’s traditional Cycladic facade into an enchanting indoor oasis, resembling an actual swimming pool. Stepping inside feels like diving into a world of carefree summer memories, with light blue tiles lining the walls and floor, beach balls floating amidst striped bolsters, lockers lining the walls, and a pool ladder attached to the wall. The result is an immersive experience that perfectly captures the essence of Gavello’s brand and the spirit of Mykonos.

the swimming pool interior of Gavello nel blu in Mykonos | image by Gavriil Papadiotis

The idea came from Elisabetta Gavello, the owner of the brand, who wanted to make a bold comeback. ‘She didn’t want a store like all the others in Mykonos. So, she said to us: Why don’t we create a pool?’ shares Paleologos. ‘We took this idea, enriched it with references from Edward Hopper, Wes Anderson, and even Slim Aarons’ photography, and started setting up this pool interior,’ he adds.

The interior is adorned with 10 x 10 tiles, adhering to a thoughtfully crafted scheme where every element is purposefully designed as multiples of 10. This commitment to uniformity not only enhances the visual coherence of the space but also underscores the precision and intentionality behind the studio’s design philosophy.

Gavello: from interior design to brand packaging | image © designboom

Looking ahead

Saint of Athens extends its creative reach beyond traditional boundaries, showcasing versatility across various scales. Standout projects include the vibrant Nespresso on-the-go cups, featuring modernist art inspired by different Greek cities, capturing the essence of each locale. The studio also crafted an origami-like catalog for Avra Bar at Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens, transforming the ordinary into a captivating experience.

At Saint of Athens, creativity is a boundless frontier. The team believes that an idea can transcend traditional mediums. ‘For us, there is no limit to creativity,’ Paleologos states. ‘An idea can be applied not only to a card or a box, but also to a space, clothing, photography, etc. We are always looking for new ways to express ourselves, pushing the boundaries of design.’ The studio is committed to exploring new avenues for expression, both within Athens and beyond. ‘We would love to create Saint of London,’ Paleologos expressed. ‘Zurich also seems very interesting to us.’ The team’s aspiration is to expand their creative influence globally, bringing their unique perspective to a wider audience.