For StudioMoiré Architecture & Design, luxury is not about excess. It is the result of a carefully considered relationship between people, place, architecture, interior design and experience.
Drawing on many years of experience in London and now working across Cyprus and Greece, Mike Sirivianos, Principal Director, and Karl Sessions, Creative Director, explain StudioMoiré’s philosophy. They discuss the next generation of premium property, the importance of materiality, sustainability and technology, and a different understanding of contemporary luxury.
How does StudioMoiré approach the design of a project?
For us, design begins not with a predetermined aesthetic, but with an understanding of the people, the place and the ambition behind each project. Its architectural identity should emerge from that process, rather than from imposing a particular “signature” style.
Our many years of experience in London, combined with our current base in Cyprus and presence in Greece, have shaped an approach that brings together an international design perspective and a deep understanding of the Mediterranean environment.
We treat architecture, interior design, landscape design, lighting and art as parts of a single composition. Detailed design work and our involvement during construction turn the initial concept into a fully realised project.
How do you understand the relationship between architecture, interior design and materials?
We see architecture, interior design and materials as a single design language. Architecture establishes proportions, light and character; interior design brings human scale and emotion; and materials create the tactile connection between the two.
For us, timelessness comes from authenticity and well-judged proportions, rather than trends. But timeless does not mean impersonal. Through natural materials, craftsmanship, art and light, we create spaces with a distinct identity, connected to their setting and the people who use them.
What do you see as the most significant changes in developers’ and buyers’ expectations?
The premium property market in Cyprus no longer competes solely at a local level. Today’s buyers and investors are more international, better informed and familiar with exceptional architecture, hospitality and design around the world. A project in Cyprus can now be compared with a home in London, a Mediterranean resort or an outstanding hotel.
At the top end of the market, floor area, expensive materials or an impressive list of amenities are not enough. Real value lies in the quality of the experience: privacy, natural light, proportions, the relationship with the landscape and details that may not be immediately apparent but are felt every day.
The most forward-thinking developers understand that architecture is integral to the value and identity of the product itself. We therefore design around what will still hold value tomorrow, rather than simply what is considered premium today.
How does this new understanding of “contemporary luxury” translate into StudioMoiré’s creative philosophy?
For StudioMoiré, contemporary luxury is less about abundance and more about quality, intention and experience. It is the luxury of space, natural light, privacy, well-judged proportions, craftsmanship and materials that become more beautiful with age.
We are moving away from overt displays of status towards a more personal understanding of luxury. Exceptional stone, timber, fabrics, bespoke elements and carefully curated art form part of a coherent narrative. True luxury should feel effortless: meticulously considered, but never excessive.
How do you incorporate sustainability, functionality and a building’s relationship with its natural and urban surroundings?
For us, these are fundamental elements of good architecture, rather than separate requirements.
Sustainability begins with the design itself: orientation, shading, natural light, the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces, and the choice of durable materials. At the same time, every project must respond to its setting: the views, topography, vegetation, urban scale and, where relevant, history.
What qualities should define the projects that shape the next generation of premium property?
The next generation of premium property will move beyond conventional definitions of luxury. It will be defined by a strong architectural vision, wellbeing, individuality, sustainability and a deeper understanding of how people want to live and experience a space.
Quality will be measured by the experience created through space, light, acoustics, materiality, privacy and a connection to place. The best projects will be distinctive without being fashionable, refined without pretension and technologically advanced without losing their human dimension.
That is also StudioMoiré’s ambition: to create projects that are relevant today but retain their identity, quality and value for decades.
