Koumkan, the new lounge bar and restaurant designed by architects Andreas Kostopoulos and James McNally of MPNYC, brings a striking interplay of natural materials, contemporary design, and artistic sensibility to the forefront. Located inside the iconic Semiramis Hotel in Kifisia, a leafy suburb of Athens, Greece, this reinvention breathes new life into the building originally designed by Karim Rashid. At its core Tinos green marble and pastel pink travertine—two natural stones that do more than decorate they define the space’s character.
These stones are not mere construction elements—they are the essence of Koumkan’s design narrative. The journey begins with a travertine staircase that leads into a soft pink foyer, flanked by mirrors and opening to a lush garden. Walls clad in blush-toned travertine set a calm, almost poetic tone, which gradually evolves into a more dramatic and immersive atmosphere.
The Parlor bar is a study in marble. Here, Tinos green marble—sourced from overlooked quarry remnants on the Greek island—is creatively repurposed to form bar counters, banquettes, even footrests. Its sculptural presence is enhanced by mirrored ceilings, creating a near-theatrical space of minimalist luxury and rich materiality.
At the heart of Koumkan lies the Grande Salle, where playfulness and sensuality converge. Curved pink seating, kaleidoscopic mirrored panels, and a distinctive banana-shaped travertine bar anchor a vivid material story. The travertine continues into the Grotto, a semi-sheltered lounge connected to the hotel’s pool area. Clad in herringbone terracotta and stone tiles, it offers a Mediterranean-inspired setting where diners sit at eye level with swimmers—merging landscape and leisure through texture and tactility.
At Koumkan, natural stone is more than a visual choice—it’s a bridge between eras, cultures, and aesthetics. The green marble and travertine reflect both the permanence of Greece’s geological identity and the evolving global design language. Through this careful integration, the space honors tradition while embracing innovation.
Koumkan is not simply a hospitality venue; it is an ode to natural materials, where architecture, art, and design come together to tell a multifaceted, experiential story—rooted in Athens, yet resonating far beyond.
