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
Alison Katri
Aliki Samara
Dionysis Dikefalos
Vasilis Vasileiadis
Dimitris Tsilimparis
Nefeli Baimpa-Dimopoulou
Ioanna Dimitriadou
Dimitris Katsarelis
George Tsiakoumis
Nikos Markou
Tasos Giannakopoulos
Eleni Stathi
Nadia Nika
Vasiliki Zochiou
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
Katerina Chatzopoulou
Konstantinos Mitsionis
Alexia Rontionova
Georgia Voukia
Team Members
Alison Katri
Aliki Samara
Dionysis Dikefalos
Vasilis Vasileiadis
Dimitris Tsilimparis
Nefeli Baimpa-Dimopoulou
Ioanna Dimitriadou
Dimitris Katsarelis
George Tsiakoumis
Nikos Markou
Tasos Giannakopoulos
Eleni Stathi
Nadia Nika
Vasiliki Zochiou
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
Katerina Chatzopoulou
Konstantinos Mitsionis
Alexia Rontionova
Georgia Voukia

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

39 Koritsas Str. Athens, Greece, 104 47
OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS
+30 210 3604444, +30 210 3603818
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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