top of page

about EKKY

EKKY Studio is an architectural practice based in Nicosia, Cyprus. It was founded in 2009 by architects Kenzo Yamashita and Elina Kriticou with the philosophy of designing sustainable and engaging Architecture focused on people, culture and tradition.

Focal to its philosophy is to maximize the potential of each project they undertake in all relevant dimensions - environmental, social and economic - with Bioclimatic solutions being fundamental to their approach. With the use of diagrams, 3d models, animation, images and physical models, they provide a realistic experience of the design proposal at an early stage thus gaining the customers’ confidence and consensus. With starting point a thorough understanding of context, history, and brief and a subsequent holistic interpretation of every stage involved, they propose robust design solution, using traditional and new materials combined in harmony.

 

Since its creation, EKKY Studio has accumulated substantial and diverse expertise, undertaking a variety of projects ranging from big scale, complex ones to smaller scale with private clients. Empowered by a team of innovative skilled architects of rich and variant background, it delivers a fresh approach to architectural design.

philosophy

Analysis and Brief

We start each project with a thorough understanding of context, history, and brief. We believe that each project should be responsive to its users and environment.

Aesthetic Clarity

We believe that architecture should be clear, coherent and comprehensible, both in conception and construction. The form and materials of our designs reinforce the idea behind the concept: less is more. The beauty of our architecture relies on the dialogue between spaces, the relation between indoors and outdoors, the materials and the atmosphere they create.

Collaboration

EKKY studio was founded on the notion of collaboration. We believe that collaboration drives creative solutions and fosters a team-based approach which enables the achievement of high quality results.

Technology and Culture

Our work is informed by technological and cultural dimensions, with both a local and global perspective. We intend to be up to date in art and design evolution and new technologies. We propose robust design solutions, using both traditional and new materials.

Bioclimatic Analysis and Sustainability

We believe that architecture should establish a relationship with and adapt to the surrounding environment, protecting and enhancing it as far as possible. We study each case by paying attention to the location, orientation, vegetation, natural lighting and ventilation, maximizing the potential of each project.

Client Feedback

With the use of drawings, diagrams, photorealistic representations, 3d models and physical models, we achieve a realistic experience of the design proposal at an early stage. In this way, our clients are able to visualize the end-product and take faster and better decisions.

Meet The Team

Elina Kritikou

Lead Architect & Founder

Kenzo Yamashita

Lead Architect & Founder

Marina Georgiou

Associate Architect

Aimilios Kourafas

Lead Architect

Polina Dudkina

Project Architect

Stefanos Theodorou

Project Architect

Alexis Mavros

Project Architect

Thalia Charalambous

Project Architect

Irene Kythreotou

Intern

Lefteris Kaimakliotis

    Project Architect

Sofia Theologou

Project Architect

Katriona Eleni Pillay

Project Architect

Alexandros Karaolias

Project Architect

Lia Hartoutsiou

Project Architect

Anthi Saranti

Office Manager

Eleni Mouski

Project Architect

external collaborators

  1. Manuela Ianni

    Architect Manuela Ianni is an Italian Architect who began her professional career in the architectural firm Carlos Ferrater (2007). She has also worked as Senior Architect in several firms in Barcelona (Spain), developing housing, commercial and refurbishment projects, as well as participating in international competitions. Since 2010 is member of the ARC Research Group (Architecture Representation Computation) of the School of Architecture La Salle, Barcelona (Spain). She has collaborated in a research project focused on the Sustainable Design of Buildings, co-founded by the European Union. With a fellow of the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness of Spain, she is carrying out her PhD thesis, which is oriented to the integration of various Energy Simulation Tools to effectively design energy - efficient buildings and comfortable spaces. The investigation involves simulation, monitoring, analysis and management of energy data of buildings, through the use of BIM methodology(Autodesk Certified REVIT Professional). Her research has been presented in international conferences and scientific journals, and is fundamental in her architectural practice.

  2. David Abondano

    Architect David Abondano is a Colombian Architect who obtained his university degree from the School of Architecture ESARQ (UIC), Barcelona (2005). He worked in Carlos Ferrater Studio in several projects and competitions of different scales and programs (residential, cultural, commercial, office, public infrastructure, and urban planning). He has also worked as an Architect in several studios in Barcelona, and as Team Leader for an architectural firm in Chengdu (China). As self-employee, his experience involves interior design and project management of small-scale residential and commercial refurbishment projects. Since 2012 he is member of ARC Research Group (Architecture, Representation, Computation) from the School of Architecture La Salle (Barcelona). With a grant co-founded by the European Union he carries out his Ph.D. thesis, an inquiry on the influence of parametric design and digital fabrication technologies over architectural praxis and theory. Part of his research has been published on international journals and scientific papers, as well as presented in academic conferences.

  3. Rodolfo Reis

    Based in Lisbon. In 2006 he graduated in Architecture, at the Faculty of Architecture - University of Lisbon. His academic background also includes the Facolta' di Architettura - Università degli Studi di Roma Tre, in 2004. He has a Masters degree in Construction and Rehabilitation from the Instituto Superior Técnico - University of Lisbon, in 2014, with the Dissertation: “The authenticity in the conservation and safeguarding of architectural heritage”. He worked as an Architect with Carlos Ferrater, in Barcelona [2006-2009]. Since 2009 he has been working with CVDB Arquitectos [Cristina Veríssimo & Diogo Burnay] – Associated Architect since 2012. In 2014 he was awarded with the 1st prize, with the proposal for a Students Residence for the University of Lisbon, in co-authorship with CVDB Arquitectos. His research activity focuses on the safeguarding of architectural heritage: authenticity and adaptive reuse.

Manuela Ianni

Architect

David Abondano

Architect

Rodolfo Reis

Architect

CG Architect

Theodoros Giannopoulos

Always part of EKKY Studio Team:

Aram Ahmed,Petros Stavrakis,Eleutherios Nicolaou,Julia Bertino,Ourania Apserou, Irene Evgeniou, William Modejar, Alexandros Kkoufou, Andria Charilaou, Andrea Margadji, Katerina Pavlou, Rafaela Aristodemou, Eleutheria Koufou, Maria Souroula, Marcos Saseides, Maria Taramounta, Antonis Kypridemos, Marios Kypridemos, Anna Hatzimitsi 

Back to top
bottom of page