Block722 architects is an Athens based architectural practice, founded in 2009 by Sotiris Tsergas and Katja Margaritoglou. Block722 was founded in the heart of Athens, on Patission 57, one of the most densely populated areas of the capital. The area is characterized by intense cultural and national variety, enhancing the practice’s relation to the city’s reality and constant adaptation to new and interesting design elements. The office’s location, urban block 722, becomes more than a city planning number – it evolves into an element of identity.

Yinji:What is the opportunity for the establishment of "Block722 Architects"? Can you share your design background?
Katja：We combine the interior with the architecture from the early stages of a process where the two function as one. Sotiris is an architect who grew up in his father’s carpentry workshop, so he has been following the construction process of different architecture works (of houses, homes) since he was quite young. So, from an early age he was quite familiar with architectural drawings and the whole idea of architecture.

As for me, I studied interior architecture, which means I also have a good idea not only about decoration but also about the actual space and what can be done with it. In that sense we, Sotiris and I, combine interior with architecture into one, in a very strong way. For us, it is a natural way of thinking from the very beginning of a project. This means the interior, the materiality and the general look and feel of the space as a whole — of course, always with the bigger picture from an architectural point of view in mind.

Yinji:Why is the firm named "Block722 Architects"? What are the design concepts behind it?
Katja：As we started working together, Sotiris and I, we had to find a name for our studio. We came up with something quite fast, as we often do instinctively. Our first office space was in an area in the center of Athens where the block was numbered 722 and a couple of digits after that. So we cut it down and kept only 722. Also, a block in general is the fundamental concept, an initial shape of something that is going to be developed. It always starts from a block, at least in our case, and then becomes something else.

Yinji:How did the Greek and Scandinavian traditions influence your design?
Katja：I think Greek and Scandinavian influences in our work are an integral part of our identity, and the way they are combined is interesting. The Greek approach is about feelings, emotions, the light, the wind, all the beauty reflected by the Greek land and its people. It’s about antithesis and some strong conditions that you must take into consideration, but which are also very helpful when coming up with a design. And on the other hand, it’s the Scandinavian approach, which is balanced and more refined and sophisticated probably. So bringing these two approaches together is a very unique combination.

Yinji: How to perfectly combine the natural beauty with the local history and culture in the design?
Katja：Our design process always starts with the characteristics and history of the location of the project. We investigate the morphology, the conditions in that area and historical aspects. It is inspiring when we take all these things into consideration and develop something that builds a nice story, first in our heads and is then put into drawings. It becomes unique when you can work with what the location has to say.

Yinji:How to capture the sense of detail in the building? What are your thoughts on the selection of materials?
Katja：We try to imagine how things will turn out and how the experience would be in a space. Sometimes it is the small details that make the big difference.

When we work together with Sotiris, I think one is completing the other. And the fact that we may have different things to focus on each time, it helps us to frame a new, unique narrative. The materials are part of this process and important in our work. Each material gives a different feeling. So, we don’t want materials to stick to much.

That is why we don’t choose materials to impress, materials that take over the whole feeling. We use materials in a natural way, you might not even notice what the materials are. You just feel good being around them, you get the right sense. Οne of our strengths is how we combine the different materials and analyze them, so as to stimulate the senses and — in combination with other elements such as natural or artificial light, reflections — to have a better designed environment.