Aragosta Beach Club

Corfu, Greece

Year: 2024

Location: Corfu, Greece

Size: 1530 m2

Type: Masterplan & Building Renovation

Program: Beach Club

Status: Completed

Design Team: Isola Studio, Chaido Karpoulia + Eva Lavranou

Photography: Pierre Littig + Isola Studio

Lighting: HALO

Landscape design: Corfu Greenway

Located on the famed Paleokastritsa beach in Corfu Island, Aragosta Beach Club in Palaiokastritsa beach seeks to blend history and leisure, deploying design ideas from the 60s, a thriving era for the overall area of Palaiokastritsa. The original building, built around 1932 was a tourist pavilion and around 1950, became part of the Xenia projects, a state program led by the Hellenic Tourism Organization (E.O.T.). The building itself is developed in two main austere volumes of different heights, with only a few decorative architecture elements (arches, traditional chimneys, window frames) references to Corfiot architecture. Over the years, it fell into disuse, reduced to serving as a mere parking lot. The recent renovation project aimed not just to revive the building and its interiors but also to breathe new life into the surrounding outdoor space by introducing lush greenery and creating varied seating areas.

The concept behind this restoration is to reestablish Aragosta Beach Club as a landmark, fully integrated with its beachside setting. This integration aims to blur the lines between private and public spaces, allowing guests and locals alike to enjoy the seamless transition from building to beach. A thoughtful placement of pathways and terraces around the building encourages movement and exploration.

Τhe ground floor of the building has been transformed into a state-of-the-art kitchen, poised to serve the outdoor dining areas that cater to beachgoers and guests. One of the key features of the renovation is the activation of the outdoor space. By adding a variety of greenery, multiple scenarios for seating areas have been created. More specifically, the seating areas are divided into a garden, a lounge, a cafe and a dining space. These areas are designed to offer guests a range of experiences, from quiet relaxation to social interaction. The landscaping is carefully curated to complement the natural beauty of the beach, with native plants and trees enhancing the sense of place.

The architects had to carefully distribute different uses of the beach club, depending on the occasion and the time of the day, creating a multifunctional yet explicit masterplan. The garden, surrounded by a few existing trees and new mulberry trees that were planted in particular for this space, encircled by built-in white benches, accompanied with white and yellow striped cushions and white tables. The lounge beach area is accompanied with sunbeds and surrounded by traditional pots with local plants. The sunbeds as well as the beach umbrellas incorporate the main colour of the building, terracotta, a typical shade of the traditional corfiot colour palette. Under a wooden canopy, a cafe was designed, with beige marble tables and walnut coloured chairs, dispersed under three big ceiling fans. Last but not least, a large space in front of the building was selected for dining purposes and was designed by the architects as an intermediate step between the main building and the sea. A rich wooden deck was selected as flooring and various furniture were designed specifically for this area. A hanging lantern was used as main lighting from the restaurant, and a careful selection of table lights - such as Pina table light - were placed on white Greek marble tables and a series of wooden iroko custom made tables. All the above areas were meticulously designed as parts of a large garden. They are bordering with large patches of local greenery such as lemon and kumkuat trees, flowers and bushes. 

The design draws heavily from the aesthetics of the vintage Italian summers of the 1960s, paying homage to the era of the first tourist explorations along the Ionian Sea. This nostalgic influence is evident in the choice of materials, colors, and furnishings, all of which evoke a sense of timeless elegance and relaxed sophistication. The use of natural materials, such as stone-like pavements and wooden structures, in combination with mid-century modern custom made furniture and striped or bold coloured fabrics, creates an ambiance that is both inviting and reminiscent of a bygone era.

Aragosta Beach Club seeks to be more than just a restoration project and aims to the revival of a cultural and historical landmark. By blending the charm of the 1960s with modern amenities the renovation honors the past while creating a vibrant and dynamic space for the present and future. This project stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of Corfu Island and its ability to evolve while preserving its rich heritage. Through careful design and thoughtful restoration, Aragosta Beach Club has been transformed into a luxurious haven that celebrates the unique beauty and history of Paleokastritsa beach.