athens' piraeus tower reopens with a dynamic spring-patterned facade by PILA

piraeus tower’s award-winning facade makeover in athens

The Piraeus Tower reopens in Athens with a full facade makeover by local architecture practice PILA, who first revealed its proposal back in 2020 (see our previous coverage here). Currently the second tallest building in Greece at 84 meters, the once-abandoned skyscraper now emerges from its five-decade slumber as a mixed-use and green landmark housing contemporary offices, retail, and restaurants. The facade design, wrapped around the building like a fabric, has also received a 2024 CTBUH Facade Award of Excellence. 

all images © Nikos Daniilidis

a dynamic, spring pattern by PILA wraps around like fabric

PILA’s redesign of the tower facade fundamentally reflects the up-and-coming spirit of the aspiring district of Piraeus. The building  is enclosed by a shading structure composed of vertical and horizontal overhangs. Each vertical fin is shifted horizontally from one floor to the next, forming a spring-like pattern throughout, giving the impression of the facade sliding from one side to another like a vast piece of fabric enveloping the tower. The dynamic pattern changes appearance based on vantage points, creating a a rich visual experience. 

Piraeus Tower reopens with facade makeover by PILA

energy conservation and climate control

Beyond its aesthetic intrigue, the facade also includes green features for energy conservation and climate control: On the one hand, the vertical fins rotate upwards towards the structure’s summit to further highlight movement. This rotation optimizes shading, opens up panoramic views, and tailors each side to environmental needs and scenic vistas. On the other hand, the design prioritizes sustainability and energy efficiency, with a meticulous solar study informing the calibration of vertical and horizontal louvers. This calibration reduces solar heat gain by 50%, slashing overall energy demand by 20%. The team at PILA has carried out the design alongside facade engineer Eckersley O’Callaghan.

forming a spring-like pattern throughout

Projects from across the globe were recognized by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) in over 20 categories and subcategories, including Best Tall Building, Innovation, Urban Habitat, Repositioning and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. ‘This year’s submissions showcase the wide spectrum of architectural innovations, construction techniques and urban visions transforming tall-building design internationally, as well as the evolving role of liveable density in shaping our cities and skylines,’ comments CTBUH CEO Javier Quintana de Uña.

each vertical fin is shifted horizontally from one floor to the next

the facade design has also. received a 2024 CTBUH Facade Award of Excellence

the building awakens from its five-decade-long slumber

project info:

name: Piraeus Tower
location: Piraeus, Athens, Greece

client: Dimand SA, Prodea Investments, EBRD
facade architect: PILA | @pila.studio
team: Ilias Papageorgiou, Christina Papalexandri, Iacovina Kontiza,Konstantinos Voutoufianakis Petropoulos, Marina Avouri, Eleni Nikolaou

facade engineer: Eckersley O’ Callaghan

lighting design: Danilof

photographer: Nikos Daniilidis | @nikosdan

area: 30,000 sqm 
floors: 22
program: office, retail, restaurant, terraces