NIKO Seaside Resort / MGallery Collection
2022
Crete, Greece

Lighting design of fully refurbished hotel resort, including exterior, suites and all specialized FOH areas.

Interiors Awards 2023, BRONZE (ΗοReCa)
Architect: 3XN Architects
Construction: Diarchon SA
Interior Design (F&B): INEDITO Architects
Interior Design (FOH & rooms): MKV Design
MEP: TEKEM SA
Photography: NIKO Seaside Resort – MGallery Collection

Hotel Coral, situated on the picturesque Mirabello Bay in Crete, traces its origins back to the mid-20th century when it stood as a derelict structure along the bustling beachfront. Its transformation from a 3-star hotel to the 5-star NIKO Seaside Resort required architectural ingenuity as well as a complete redesign of architectural lighting.

Respecting the hotel’s existing structural framework, architects embarked on a journey to redefine its interior spaces and elevate its exterior façade to contemporary urban standards. Correspondingly, the lighting highlighted the new architectural framework, while the use of LED luminaires contributed to the energy efficiency of the entire project.

The new façade, at the ground floor level, arches organically and creates “ridges”, while the rest of the levels’ curved balconies create a repetitive pattern that aesthetically unifies the entire exterior. The ground floor level lighting highlights the building’s organic geometry, while creating luminous gateways, inviting passers-by in. The balconies are illuminated from one side, meeting the functional needs of visitors and reinforcing the curvature of the building, when viewed in perspective. For the patio internal façade, lighting was used to enhance openness, with vertical surfaces illuminated and reflections minimized, where Illuminated glass pools in the atrium provide a unique visual experience.

The hotel also includes a large pool terrace and restaurant with a sea view, as well as a large infinity pool. The lighting highlights the materiality of the spaces, while respecting the view. With regard to the pools, a linear single lighting system was chosen, so that the body of water is uniformly illuminated but the luminaire itself is not visible to the visitors, maintaining an unobstructed view of the sea. In the ninth-floor roof-top bar, lighting levels were kept low and focused on the bare essential functions, so as not to compete with the starry sky.