SIAMA

RESTAURANT IN MATI, ATTICA

Nestled on the sea shore, Siama All Day Restaurant came to re-inhabit the shell of a cafe previously known as Cavo, that was destroyed in the 2018 wildfires. The project had to face a double challenge: to replace a cafe that was loved and supported by residents and visitors of Mati, while respecting its significance as a lieu de mémoire (site of memory) for the local community. Siama was tasked with transforming a space of trauma into a place where joy and eudaimonia can flourish.

Given that one of the key elements that shaped Cavo’s character, the towering pine trees, have been erased by the wildfires, Siama had to connect with the remaining natural element of paramount importance, the sea.

The design proposed a deep blue curved ceiling as the dominant feature for the interior. During the day, Siama’s wave, swelling softly from the open kitchen and the curved bar towards the glass facade, strives to reach the sea, encouraging the visitors to do the same. During the night, the wave blends with the night sky and vanishes, hovering inconspicuously over Siama’s guests, who are invited to reminisce and celebrate the starry nights that once washed over Cavo.