We are DECA Architecture, an internationally recognized architecture practice that seeks insight within context to make buildings, landscapes and objects.
About
All sites have a spirit of place.
We invest ourselves to understand them.
Our designs are strategies that reveal their potential.
We seek to design immersive experiences.
Experiences that engage with human senses and emotions.
Experiences in dialogue with the spirit of each place.
We nurture circumstances that bring minds together.
Combining expertise that broadens our collective intelligence.
A knowledge-based process unique to each project.
We focus on craftsmanship, thinking with our hands.
We work with people that make wholesome things.
Making with artistry adds value beyond expectation.
Based in Athens, we have engaged in projects across Greece and Europe since 2001. Founded by Alexandros Vaitsos and Carlos Loperena, the DECA team is large enough to engage with projects of any size while maintaining a personalized approach.
People
Alexandros Vaitsos
Alexandros Vaitsos was born in 1971, in Lima, Peru. He has lived in Peru, France, England, Greece and the US. He studied at Harvard University (Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Environmental Studies) and he did his Masters of Architecture at the University of California at Berkeley. He has taught architectural design as a visiting professor at the University of Thessaly and was a teaching assistant at Berkeley. He founded DECA Architecture in 2001.
Carlos Loperena
Carlos Loperena was born in 1970, in Mexico City, Mexico. He has lived in Mexico, Japan, Italy, Greece and the US. He studied Industrial Design at the University of Kansas and did his Masters in Architecture at the University of California at Berkeley. He has taught architectural design as a visiting professor at the University of Thessaly as well as a teaching assistant at Berkeley. He founded DECA Architecture in 2001.
TEAM MEMBERS
Kyle Gudsell
Maria Doxa
Marina Stasinopoulou
Zeta Tzermou
Ifigenia Mari
Elena Zabeli
Maria Papafigou
Christina Vasilopoulou
Johan Annerhed
Katerina Chryssanthopoulou
Thomas Ragousis
Nana Vosdogani
Manos Matsis
Leonidas Economou
Natalia Kokosalaki
Jo Burtenshaw
Stefanos Nasopoulos
Roza Giannopoulou
Mina Colakis
Apostolos Nikolopoulos
Yannis Kitanis
Argyro Pouliovali
Myrsini Glinos
Alexandros Economou
Katerina Apostolou
Thalia Chroussos
Nikos Nikolis
Anna Kartasi
Dimitra Palaiologou
Tassos Govatsos
Spyros Boukas
Chryssanthi Asproulopoulou
Antonis Porias
Fotini Gouveli
Iakovina Kodeza
Arxontia Kyroudi
Maro Tsagka
Eleni Vagianou
Vasia Ioannidou
Katerina Vasileiou
Ismini Kafantari
Maria Pappa
Ermioni Garramone
Antonia Gerogianni
Maria Paneta
Danae Tazoglidou
Zaira Zeppou
Ioanna Peponi
Eva Tsouni
Nafsika Oikonomou
Team Members
Alison Katri
Aliki Samara
Dionysis Dikefalos
Vasilis Vasileiadis
Dimitris Tsilimparis
Katerina Chatzopoulou
Nefeli Baimpa-Dimopoulou
Ioanna Dimitriadou
Dimitris Katsarelis
George Tsiakoumis
Nikos Markou
Tasos Giannakopoulos
Georgia Voukia
Alexia Rontionova
Eleni Stathi
Kyle Gudsell
Maria Doxa
Marina Stasinopoulou
Zeta Tzermou
Ifigenia Mari
Elena Zabeli
Maria Papafigou
Christina Vasilopoulou
Johan Annerhed
Katerina Chryssanthopoulou
Thomas Ragousis
Nana Vosdogani
Manos Matsis
Leonidas Economou
Natalia Kokosalaki
Jo Burtenshaw
Stefanos Nasopoulos
Roza Giannopoulou
Mina Colakis
Apostolos Nikolopoulos
Yannis Kitanis
Argyro Pouliovali
Myrsini Glinos
Alexandros Economou
Katerina Apostolou
Thalia Chroussos
Nikos Nikolis
Anna Kartasi
Dimitra Palaiologou
Tassos Govatsos
Spyros Boukas
Chryssanthi Asproulopoulou
Antonis Porias
Fotini Gouveli
Iakovina Kodeza
Arxontia Kyroudi
Maro Tsagka
Eleni Vagianou
Vasia Ioannidou
Katerina Vasileiou
Ismini Kafantari
Maria Pappa
Ermioni Garramone
Antonia Gerogianni
Maria Paneta
Danae Tazoglidou
Zaira Zeppou
Ioanna Peponi
Eva Tsouni
Nafsika Oikonomou
Awards
| Year | Award | Honor | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 |
Hellenic Institute of Architecture
Winner
Greece
|
Winner | Greece |
| 2021 |
The European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award
Nominee 2022
Fundació Mies van der Rohe, Barcelona, Spain
|
Nominee 2022 | Fundació Mies van der Rohe, Barcelona, Spain |
| 2021 |
LILA – Landezine International Landscape Award
Shortlisted
Landezine, Slovenia
|
Shortlisted | Landezine, Slovenia |
| 2020 |
Swiss Architectural Award
Nominee
USI-Accademia di architettura, Mendrisio, Switzerland
|
Nominee | USI-Accademia di architettura, Mendrisio, Switzerland |
| 2020 |
AZ Awards
Award of Merit
AZURE Magazine, Ontario, Canada
|
Award of Merit | AZURE Magazine, Ontario, Canada |
| 2019 |
AHEAD Awards
Winner, Spa & Wellness
Sleeper Magazine, UK
|
Winner, Spa & Wellness | Sleeper Magazine, UK |
| 2019 |
Dezeen Awards
Winner, Leisure & Wellness Interior
Dezeen online architecture, interiors and design magazine, UK
|
Winner, Leisure & Wellness Interior | Dezeen online architecture, interiors and design magazine, UK |
| 2019 |
Architizer A+Awards
Winner (Public Vote)
Architizer online database, US
|
Winner (Public Vote) | Architizer online database, US |
| 2019 |
Domés Awards
Commendation, Best Built Work 2014-2018
Domés International Review of Architecture, Greece
|
Commendation, Best Built Work 2014-2018 | Domés International Review of Architecture, Greece |
| 2019 |
BigSEE Awards
Winner
Centre for creative economy of Southeast Europe, Slovenia
|
Winner | Centre for creative economy of Southeast Europe, Slovenia |
| 2018 |
International Architecture Awards
Winner
The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, US
|
Winner | The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, US |
| 2018 |
ABB LEAF Awards
Shortlisted
Leading European Architecture Forum, Germany
|
Shortlisted | Leading European Architecture Forum, Germany |
| 2018 |
Architizer A+Awards
Winner (Jury)
Architizer online database, US
|
Winner (Jury) | Architizer online database, US |
| 2018 |
Domés Awards
Winner (Public Vote)
Domés International Review of Architecture, Greece
|
Winner (Public Vote) | Domés International Review of Architecture, Greece |
| 2018 |
Domés Awards
Commendation, Best Built Work 2013-2017
Domés International Review of Architecture, Greece
|
Commendation, Best Built Work 2013-2017 | Domés International Review of Architecture, Greece |
| 2014 |
Architizer A+Awards
Winner (Public Vote)
Architizer online database, US
|
Winner (Public Vote) | Architizer online database, US |
| 2014 |
Architizer A+Awards
Winner (Jury)
Architizer online database, US
|
Winner (Jury) | Architizer online database, US |
| 2013 |
Hellenic Institute of Architecture Awards
Special Commendation
Hellenic Institute of Architecture, Greece
|
Special Commendation | Hellenic Institute of Architecture, Greece |
| 2012 |
World Architecture News Awards
Shortlisted
World Architecture News, UK
|
Shortlisted | World Architecture News, UK |
| 2010 |
Best House Awards
Commendation
Architectural Review Magazine, UK
|
Commendation | Architectural Review Magazine, UK |
| 2009 |
PiranesI Award
Winner
Piran Days of Architecture, Ministry of Culture, Slovenia
|
Winner | Piran Days of Architecture, Ministry of Culture, Slovenia |
| 2009 |
Emerging Architecture Awards
Winner
Architectural Review Magazine, UK
|
Winner | Architectural Review Magazine, UK |
| 2008 |
Hellenic Institute of Architecture Awards
Commendation
Hellenic Institute of Architecture, Greece
|
Commendation | Hellenic Institute of Architecture, Greece |
| 2008 |
Emerging Architecture Awards
Commendation
Architectural Review Magazine, UK
|
Commendation | Architectural Review Magazine, UK |
| 2004 |
Hellenic Institute of Architecture Awards
Commendation
Hellenic Institute of Architecture, Greece
|
Commendation | Hellenic Institute of Architecture, Greece |
| 2004 |
Emerging Architecture Awards
Commendation
Royal Institute of British Architects, Architectural Review Magazine, UK
|
Commendation | Royal Institute of British Architects, Architectural Review Magazine, UK |
Publications
| Date | Title | Publisher | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2022 |
Hourglass Corral
"Hidden Architecture. Buildings That Blend In"
Belgium
|
"Hidden Architecture. Buildings That Blend In" | Belgium |
| July 2022 |
ΚΑΤΟΙΚΙΕΣ στη Θάλασσα
DOMa
Greece
|
DOMa | Greece |
| July 2022 |
Hourglass Corral on Milos by Deca Architecture
DETAIL
Germany
|
DETAIL | Germany |
| July 2022 |
Architectures Mediterranneeres: C'est ci n'est pas une spa
L'Architecture d'Aujourd'hui
France
|
L'Architecture d'Aujourd'hui | France |
| June 2022 |
Hourglass Corral
"LIVINGS, Detail vol. 03"
Republic of Korea
|
"LIVINGS, Detail vol. 03" | Republic of Korea |
| May 2022 |
探問自然本質的希臘住居！Hourglass Corral 詮釋建築與環境共生的全新可能
United Press
Taiwan, Province of China
|
United Press | Taiwan, Province of China |
| May 2022 |
Hourglass Corral, Milos, Cyclades, Greece
weArch
Italy
|
weArch | Italy |
| May 2022 |
Hourglass Corral House auf Milos
BauNetz Wissen
Germany
|
BauNetz Wissen | Germany |
| April 2022 |
Olive oil production, Earth for insulation, Skylights for passive ventilation: Corrals project by DECA
LAMPOON
Italy
|
LAMPOON | Italy |
| January 2022 |
Building Images: Between Nature & Architecture
ArchDaily
GLobe
|
ArchDaily | GLobe |
| January 2022 |
Investigation cycladique / Investigating the Genius Loci
L'Architecture d'Aujourd'hui
France
|
L'Architecture d'Aujourd'hui | France |
| December 2021 |
DECA Architecture. CASA HOURGLASS
Wideprint
Argentina
|
Wideprint | Argentina |
| December 2022 |
Racines, bâtiments et paysages dans la Grèce « contemporaine »
Chroniques d'Architecture
France
|
Chroniques d'Architecture | France |
| December 2021 |
Studio Visit
DAPPER DAN
Greece
|
DAPPER DAN | Greece |
| November 2021 |
Hourglass Corral, proyecto sostenible en la Isla de Milos. Deca Architecture
ARQA
Argentina
|
ARQA | Argentina |
| November 2021 |
Дом «Песочные часы» на острове Милос (Hourglass Corral in Milos)
forma
Russian Federation
|
forma | Russian Federation |
| October 2021 |
Vanishing into nature
IFDM
Italy
|
IFDM | Italy |
| September 2021 |
interview: DECA discusses its landscapes and underground architecture in Greece
designboom
United Kingdom
|
designboom | United Kingdom |
| September 2021 |
Voronoi’s Corrals
BILLIONAIRE
Singapore
|
BILLIONAIRE | Singapore |
| September 2021 |
Hourglass Corral
Living
Taiwan
|
Living | Taiwan |
| August 2021 |
Wohnhaus mit Zellen (House with cells)
RAUM UND WOHNEN
Switzerland
|
RAUM UND WOHNEN | Switzerland |
| August 2021 |
10 breathtaking beach houses
Domus
Italy
|
Domus | Italy |
| August 2021 |
Hourglass Corral, Milos, Cyclades, Greece | DECA Architecture
IW magazine
Taiwan
|
IW magazine | Taiwan |
| July 2021 |
Incastonata sull'isola di Creta, Ring House e un gioiello naturale che abbraccia il mediterraneo
Elledecor
Italy
|
Elledecor | Italy |
| July 2021 |
In The Greek Island Of Milos, DECA Architecture Uses Geometry To Design A Home That Responds To Nature
Metro Style
Philippines
|
Metro Style | Philippines |
| June 2021 |
DECA Architecture's Ring House Discreetly Embraces the Rugged Landscape of Southern Crete
Yatzer
Global Online
|
Yatzer | Global Online |
| June 2021 |
In Milos, DECA Architecture rethinks the vacation house
Domus
Italy
|
Domus | Italy |
| June 2021 |
Residencies in Greece
KTIRIO
Greece
|
KTIRIO | Greece |
| May 2021 |
Hourglass Corral
Building Indonesia
Indonesia
|
Building Indonesia | Indonesia |
| May 2021 |
The 100. Travel Hotlist - Euphoria Retreat, Grèce
Sabato
Belgium
|
Sabato | Belgium |
| May 2021 |
Sull’isola greca di Milos una casa incastonata nel paesaggio
Living | Corriere della Sera
Italy
|
Living | Corriere della Sera | Italy |
| April 2021 |
Ipogeo 4.0
The Good Life Italia
Italy
|
The Good Life Italia | Italy |
| April 2021 |
Hourglass Corral. Seduce en el entorno marino
ENTREMUROS, supplement to Reforma newspaper
Mexico
|
ENTREMUROS, supplement to Reforma newspaper | Mexico |
| March 2021 |
A Home that Burrows into the Earth
ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN
India
|
ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN | India |
| February 2020 |
VOLUMES & NATURE PROFUSE / Mixite rurale
FOCUS ARCHI
Belgium
|
FOCUS ARCHI | Belgium |
| November 2020 |
Diagrama sustentável, módulo paramétrico (Sustainable design, parametric module)
ArqXP
Brazil
|
ArqXP | Brazil |
| November 2020 |
Hourglass Corral in Milos
DECO JOURNAL
Republic Of Korea
|
DECO JOURNAL | Republic Of Korea |
| October 2020 |
По математически модел (According to a mathematical model)
NASH DOM
Bulgaria
|
NASH DOM | Bulgaria |
| August/October 2020 |
Mathematical Precision
D+A
Singapore
|
D+A | Singapore |
| September/October 2020 |
Fernsicht Griechenland (Long distance view Greece)
traumhaus
Switzerland
|
traumhaus | Switzerland |
| September 2020 |
DECA Architecture. Hourglass Corral
C3
Republic Of Korea
|
C3 | Republic Of Korea |
| September 2020 |
Teorías Griegas
Design Hunter
Mexico
|
Design Hunter | Mexico |
| August 2020 |
Hourglass Corral in Milos
ID+C (Interior Design + Construction)
China
|
ID+C (Interior Design + Construction) | China |
| July/August 2020 |
The Hourglass Corral
EK
Greece
|
EK | Greece |
| Summer 2020 |
Le Faire du Savoir "Ring House"
ARTRAVEL
France
|
ARTRAVEL | France |
| July 2020 |
Entramado espacial donde no caben los ángulos rectos
ARQ Diario de Arquitectura
Argentina
|
ARQ Diario de Arquitectura | Argentina |
| April 2020 |
Off Grid
Wallpaper*
UK
|
Wallpaper* | UK |
| September 2019 |
Global Design & Urbanism XIX
The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, US
Greece, US
|
The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, US | Greece, US |
| May 2019 |
IW Magazine
IW
Taiwan
|
IW | Taiwan |
| February 2019 |
The World’s Best Architecture
Phaidon Editors, Architizer online database
US
|
Phaidon Editors, Architizer online database | US |
| January 2019 |
Secret Mansion
MANSION
Taiwan
|
MANSION | Taiwan |
| February 2019 |
Renovation-Renewal
Domes International Review of Architecture
Greece
|
Domes International Review of Architecture | Greece |
| December 2018 |
Awards 2019
Domes International Review of Architecture
Greece
|
Domes International Review of Architecture | Greece |
| October 2018 |
Azure
Azure Publishing
US
|
Azure Publishing | US |
| October 2018 |
EKO KUĆA
EKO KUĆA
Belgrade
|
EKO KUĆA | Belgrade |
| February 2018 |
LIVING ON WATER
Phaidon Editors
US
|
Phaidon Editors | US |
| January 2018 |
Greek Architecture Yearbook 2018
Domes International Review of Architecture
Greece
|
Domes International Review of Architecture | Greece |
| November 2016 |
ELEMENTAL LIVING
Phaidon Editors
US
|
Phaidon Editors | US |
| June 2013 |
Natura
Derin Design
Turkey
|
Derin Design | Turkey |
| May 2013 |
Flat Roofs and House Tops
Domes International Review of Architecture
Greece
|
Domes International Review of Architecture | Greece |
| April 2013 |
AREA Architecture and Landscape
Italy
|
Italy | |
| February 2013 |
a+a
Magazine
China
|
Magazine | China |
| August 2012 |
MADE IN ATHENS, 13th Venice Architecture Biennale
LA BIENNALE DI VENEZIA
Italy
|
LA BIENNALE DI VENEZIA | Italy |
| March 2012 |
"What's up? 15 Young European Architects"
LetteraVentidue
Italy
|
LetteraVentidue | Italy |
| February 2012 |
C3 Magazine | Land in tune, Bargains to Valuables, Malik Architecture
C3 Publishing Co.
Korea
|
C3 Publishing Co. | Korea |
| December 2011 |
100 CONTEMPORARY HOUSES
Tachen
Germany
|
Tachen | Germany |
| February 2011 |
Hotels, Contemporary Architecture in Greece
KTIRIO, Greek Technical Editions
Greece
|
KTIRIO, Greek Technical Editions | Greece |
| August 2010 |
The Architectural Review
EMAP PUBLISHING LIMITED
UK
|
EMAP PUBLISHING LIMITED | UK |
| November 2010 |
Piranesi
Ustanova Fundacija Piranesi
Slovenia
|
Ustanova Fundacija Piranesi | Slovenia |
| December 2010 |
80th Anniversary of L' Architetcure d' aujourd'hui
Archipress editions
France
|
Archipress editions | France |
| December 2010 |
MARK, Another Architecture
Frame Publishers
the Netherlands
|
Frame Publishers | the Netherlands |
| March 2007 |
1000x European Architecture
Editors of Verlagshaus-Braun
Germany
|
Editors of Verlagshaus-Braun | Germany |
| October 2006 |
Casa Vogue
Condé Nast
Italy
|
Condé Nast | Italy |
Exhibitions
| Year | Title | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 |
Hellenic Institute of Architecture Awards 2022
Hellenic Institute of Architecture
Greece
|
Hellenic Institute of Architecture | Greece |
| 2022 |
Learning From Poulati
S+T+Arts
Greece
|
S+T+Arts | Greece |
| 2022 |
Contemporary Greek architecture through the lens of Erieta Attali
Fondation Hellénique Université de Paris
France
|
Fondation Hellénique Université de Paris | France |
| 2021 |
Swiss Architectural Award 2020
Teatro dell’architettura Mendrisio
Switzerland
|
Teatro dell’architettura Mendrisio | Switzerland |
| 2019 |
The City & The World
The Chicago Athenaeum / The European Centre for Architecture, Art Design and Urban Studies
Europe
|
The Chicago Athenaeum / The European Centre for Architecture, Art Design and Urban Studies | Europe |
| 2019 |
10 Years of Domés Awards
Domés International Review of Architecture
Greece
|
Domés International Review of Architecture | Greece |
| 2013 |
Hellenic Institute of Architecture Awards 2013
Hellenic Institute of Architecture
Greece
|
Hellenic Institute of Architecture | Greece |
| 2012 |
Common Ground
LA BIENNALE DI VENEZIA
Italy
|
LA BIENNALE DI VENEZIA | Italy |
| 2012 |
Bedrooms
The Art Foundation
Greece
|
The Art Foundation | Greece |
| 2012 |
14F/21GR
Hellenic Institute of Architecture & French Institute of Greece
Greece
|
Hellenic Institute of Architecture & French Institute of Greece | Greece |
| 2011 |
Made in Greece
Boston Museum of Science
USA
|
Boston Museum of Science | USA |
| 2009 |
Hellenic Institute of Architecture Awards 2009
Hellenic Institute of Architecture
Greece
|
Hellenic Institute of Architecture | Greece |
| 2009 |
The residence in Greece: from the 20th to the 21st century
Hellenic Institute of Architecture
Greece
|
Hellenic Institute of Architecture | Greece |
| 2009 |
Piran Days of Architecture
Piran Gallery
Slovenia
|
Piran Gallery | Slovenia |
| 2006 |
The Dispersed Urbanity of the Aegean Archipelago
LA BIENNALE DI VENEZIA
Italy
|
LA BIENNALE DI VENEZIA | Italy |
| 2006 |
ON: the Modern & the Contemporary in European & Japanese Culture
Hellenic Culture Organization, Ministry of Culture
Japan, Greece
|
Hellenic Culture Organization, Ministry of Culture | Japan, Greece |
| 2005 |
Hellenic Institute of Architecture Awards 2005
Hellenic Institute of Architecture
Greece
|
Hellenic Institute of Architecture | Greece |
| 2004 |
The Emerging Architecture Awards
The Royal Institute of British Architects
UK
|
The Royal Institute of British Architects | UK |
Contact
20 Fokylidou Str. Athens, Greece, 106 73
general enquiries
mailbox@deca.gr
career
jobs@deca.gr
Applications should include a portfolio and a resume in .pdf format (no larger than 20 Mb)
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