Oinos – Private Cellar

Private residential project - Northern Suburbs of Athens, Greece

The name Oinos derived from the ancient Greek word for “wine” reflects both the function and the character of this private project. Located within a private residence, the Oinos Private Cellar reinterprets the original use of the basement, once dedicated to wine storage and tasting, and transforms it into a contemporary space that celebrates material authenticity and timeless atmosphere.

In this project, our main intention was to reinterpret and highlight the original typology of the basement, which historically served a dual purpose as a wine storage area and as a tasting and dining space. The architectural approach was guided by respect for the existing structure and materiality, aiming to preserve the authenticity and historical character of the place.

The stone masonry was left exposed, acting as a vessel of memory and a tangible expression of locality, while selected existing furniture such as the dining table and the circular table in the antechamber were reintegrated into the new design narrative. The base of the circular table, which had deteriorated over time, was replaced with a natural stone sourced from the site itself, reinforcing the dialogue between the interior and the surrounding landscape.

Special attention was given to the structural reinforcement of the basement, where the columns were clad with wooden panels that transform into integrated shelving and wine storage units. The floor was finished with polished cement mortar (patiti tsimentokonia), creating a continuous surface and a sense of understated solidity throughout the space.

At the openings, corten steel was applied to the reveals, establishing a refined contrast between the raw metal and the warm, tactile quality of the exposed stone within.

Through the subtle interplay of materials stone, wood, corten, and cement mortar Oinos becomes a space of memory, taste, and sensory experience, where the old and the new coexist in quiet harmony.