Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel

Landscape lighting for an outdoors par excellence

A building gem from the ’60s, the Astir Palace hotel was purchased by the Four Seasons hotel chain. The purchase breathed life back into a building that wrote a page in Greek tourism history, under the sign of elegance and refinement. A structure, divided into the two buildings Arion and Nafsika, that allows visitors to experience a true oasis of pleasure and wellness. A point of reference on the Athens coast, where the values of the past are combined with the most modern demands for relaxation.

The goal of the Astir Palace renovation project, on the amazing coast of the Aegean, was to bring a hotel that was in vogue in the ’60s back to life. A diamond that found new light thanks to the virtuous synergy between various designers, including the L&DG Lighting Architects firm, which skilfully highlighted the beauty and value of the past in an entirely renovated structure. A complex of buildings, pools, bars and restaurants where lighting plays a fundamental role in highlighting the peculiarities of the architecture and the exterior space which accompanies guests toward the doors of this paradise of relaxation. The outdoor lighting project also included various lighting solutions from Linea Light Group which, all together, created a dreamlike atmosphere for hotel guests.

Linea Light Group participated in this landscape lighting project with a vast range of products, both in standard and custom version, to fully emphasise the outdoor space. Throughout the entire location, we find Joe, chosen to light roads and pedestrian walkways in the park. Using low and well-distributed light, they were positioned on both sides of the paths and streets in an alternating pattern in order to obtain the maximum in terms of lighting. In a customised version, we find Alcor and Dans, used for the stairways and small paths that lead guests through the various areas of the complex.

Even the vegetation is illuminated. Small plants are enhanced by Shaker projectors, whereas the trees are highlighted within the landscape thanks to high performance products. Just one of the many is the Suelo uplight in dark light version, used for all the maritime pine trees. The Periskop projector, on the other hand, secured to the trees with fastening kits, projects light downward, creating a wonderful contrast with the light of the Suelo units. Continuing toward the entrance of the structure, we find Orma, also in the dark light version, used to light both the columns at the entrance and part of the façade. The profile of the latter, on the other hand, is outlined by Rubber. The same product is also used to highlight the outdoor staircases. For the textured walls, the choice fell to Archiline, which provides an unparalleled light/shadow effect over all the surfaces.

The aquatic area was also enhanced by light, thanks to Flash, which lights up the writing submerged in the water. Dirigo, on the other hand, in the one-metre version, was chosen to light the parking spots in the structure’s car parks. Closing out the range is Prolamp, which illuminates the tennis courts, where light plays a central role for an ideal playing experience.

Photo: Gavriilux Papadiotis

Lighting design: L+DG Lighting Architects