MSc Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences, TU Delft, NL
September 2022-January 2025
BSc. Architecture Engineer/ Integrated Master, University of Cyprus, CY September 2015-June 2020
Computer skills
Languages
1. Greek (native language)
2. English (C2 Distinction)
3. Italian (several courses at university)
Rhino, Photoshop, AutoCAD, Illustrator, In Design, SketchUp, Office, Premiere Pro
Biography:
Zoe Papaikonomou is an architect based in Delft. She studied Architecture at the University of Cyprus and later pursued her master’s degree at TU Delft, where she explored themes of adaptability, collective living, and urban transformation. Her recent research rethinks the Athenian Polykatoikia, proposing a flexible contemporary model that balances private and communal spaces while introducing collective luxury as a means of enhancing living conditions. Her dissertation, The Reinterpretation of Baths in the Contemporary City, examines how baths can be reimagined as modern public spaces, bridging historical traditions with contemporary urban dynamics. The project was nominated for an award by the Technical Chamber of Greece and received an Honorable Mention in the international Gaudi Architecture Prize.
Zoe’s work is driven by a desire to connect architectural design with the existing urban fabric. She sees drawings and models not just as technical tools but as vehicles of expression and storytelling. Through her projects, she seeks to revive architectural archetypes with a fresh perspective, experimenting across different fields while always grounding her designs in human experience.
Working experience
2022: EnziN Real Estate, Drama, Greece
Junior Architect, 3 months
Main activities and responsibilities: Legalization/regularization of arbitrary constructions and arbitrary changes of use of real estate and horizontal properties in collaboration with civil engineers.
2021: KSESTUDIO, Athens, Greece
Internship, 6 months
Main activities and responsibilities: She worked as an architecture intern at the architectural office ksestudio in Athens, where she was involved in various projects, mainly in the residential sector. During the last few months at ksestudio, Zoe participated with the rest of the team in an international architectural competition in which she collaborated with two other architectural offices and several scientific advisors. During the competition, she was exposed to the pressing rhythms of a large project but also the complex structure of a large working group.
2020: OOIIO Arquitectura, Madrid Spain
Internship, 4 months
Main activities and responsibilities:
During her internship, she was involved in various projects, mainly in the residential sector, where her drawings were posted on the architectural website archdaily.com and one of them was among the best architectural drawings of 2020.
Honors/Awards
2021: Cyprus University Student Housing, Nicosia, Cyprus.
2021: Shortlisted in the International Open Competition of the Jonusas Radvila Palace building complex and its approaches at Vilniaus G. 24, Vilnius Competition.
2021: People’s Choice Award Winner Architectural Visualization- Drawing Category for her entry “Home inside the house”
2021: Public mention for her entry “Home inside the House” in Architecture Affiliate Awards
2021: International Illustration Competition
2021: “The Best Architectural Drawings of 2020” in archdaily.com
2020: Shortlisted for her entry named “Vertical Garden” in the international architecture visualization competition “Render Battle 2020.”
2020: Top 10+1 Student Works 2020 by Archisearch.gr with the project “The reinterpretation of baths in the contemporary city”.
2020: Honorable Mention for the international competition “Gaudi Architecture Prize” with the project “The reinterpretation of Baths in the contemporary city”
Publications
2022: Sardina Houses Semi-Detached Houses in Monte de la Villa https://ooiio.com/en/casas-monte-de-la-villa/
2021: Entrepreneurship in Cyprus, National Report 2019/2020
2021: Competition of the Jonusas Radvila Palace building complex and its approaches at Vilniaus G. 24, Vilnius Competition. https://constantinosmarcou.com/Building-Complex-of-Jonusas-Radvila-Palace-at-Vilnius
2020: J.UCY 06, Journal of Architecture, Departure of Architecture https://www.iampin.com/Jucy-06 2019: J.UCY 05, Journal of Architecture, Departure of Architecture
2018: Architecture project for Vernacular Architecture of Cyprus http://www.vernarch.ac.cy/images/media/assetfile/Koilani%20A.pdf
2020: Participated as a rapporteur in 3rd international experiential conference on applied didactics: “new courses in education”, with “The “Critical game” as a means of culture and creative and critical thought in education.” 2019: Participated in EASA (European Architecture Students Assembly) Workshop, EASA tourist 2019.
Exhibitions
2023: Participated in the exhibition “Experiments in Drawing Theory exhibition.” at the TU Delft Faculty of Architecture and Built Environment.
2022: Participated in the exhibition “Building stories. The Heteronomy of Urban Design.” at the TU Delft Faculty of Architecture and Built Environment.
2018: Participated in the exhibition “Είπαμε!”, Visual and Architectural Creations at the University of Cyprus, with the project “The dynamics of the image.”
POLYKATOIKIA a tapestry of shared ownership
Master Thesis 2024-2025
The reinterpretation of baths in the contemporary city
Honorable Mention-Gaudi Architecture Prize 2020 Diploma thesis 2019-2020 Living Stepping stone
02 | POLYKATOIKIA a tapestry of shared ownership
The reinterpretation of the Athenian Polykatoikia
Master thesis | Master in architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences
Individual work | Athens, Greece
TU Delft , 2024-2025
Main Mentor: D.J. Rosbottom Situated Architecture - Architecture and the Built Environment Research Mentor: Mark Pimlott Situated Architecture - Architecture and the Built Environment Architectural Technology Mentor: K.B. Mulder Building Design & Technology
During the interwar period in Greece, urbanization drove people to Athens for better job opportunities and economic recovery. They brought a countryside mentality, fostering neighborhood and small community life within Polykatoikias. When I left Greece, I still remember my first impression of other European cities, “Where are all the Polykatoikia buildings?”
The term Poly-Katoikia, literally “multiresidence” is a composite word, from poly, translated as multi, and the noun katoikia, dwelling. The construction is built with reinforced concrete. It originates from modernism, retains traditional and neoclassical elements, treated like custom-made furniture by its users and architects. Athens’ architectural tapestry, marked by flexibility and adaptability, accommodates remarkable diversity within a singular archetype.
The project’s mission involves expanding the potential for communal living in the “Athens of property.” Understanding various scales—neighborhood, urban, and building— the project addresses new design challenges, including minimal living spaces.
A new design of Polykatoikia by key interior spaces (Terrace, Balconies, Foyer, etc.) to establish collective character and activity among tenants. This attempt expands the means to create a new dwelling type that retains the spatial and social essence of the archetypal Polykatoikia for innovative living.
The tenants of such a building are favored with certain flexibilities in their individual spaces, allowing them to control the level of communal element they want to introduce. It is not a rigid, copy-paste element to be repeated identically, but only one version of this flexible framework that adapts to specific needs and conditions.
Meeting point on the staircase. The parts of the staircase has the entrance and foyer
Sitting points underneath or water element.
Balcony is part of the staircase and it can host tables and furniture in general.
Diferent materials like wood or mosaic and glass blocks.
LAYOUT ADAPTABILITY
Doors can open for big shared dinner party
ATHENS APARTMENT STANDARDS
Remove walls if not needed
SIZE OF LAYOUT
Small apartments 50m2: Small familly apartments with two bedrooms, kitchen, and bathroom.
Βalcony facing the street small gathering spots Everyone brings their own chair
Balcony facing the street small gathering spots Everyone brings their own chair
Interior circulation through slidding doors
CO-HOUSING Capacity
6 FLOOR 4 APARTMENTS PER FLOOR
4 Apartments: 50m2-per apartment
1-3 Bedrooms-per apartment
4-16 People-per floor
Doors can open for big shared dinner party
Total 96 people
COLLECTIVE OPEN SPACES 532m2
Doors can open for big shared dinner party
Βalcony facing the street small gathering spots Everyone brings their own chair
layout
Connect a switch room to a neighbour
CO-HOUSING Capacity
Interior Connect a switch room to a neighbour
Connect a switch room to a neighbour
Add rooms if needed
Add rooms if needed
Open plan with curtains
Open plan with curtains
Open plan with curtains
gutter guard
rain gutter lined with a double membrane slopes screed
200 mm thermal insulation
200 mm reinforced concrete slab 10 mm gypsum plaster
natural fresh air supply through ventilation grills over windows and doors
double glazing
softwood and aluminium window frame
terrazzo screed under oor heating otstep sound insulation
reinforced concrete 10 mm gypsum plaster
internal thermal insulation with slab perforation
double glazi
aluminium post-and-rail facade
drainage channel
terrazzo screed under oor heating
vapour barrier
sound insulation panel
thermal insulation
reinforced concrete
Comparing the two models of the standard apartment building and the collective, it seems that much more apartments are created in the minimum possible size, providing the necessary spaces (kitchen, bathroom, bedroom).
GENEROUS COLLECTIVE SPACES
Comparing the two models of the standard apartment building and the collective, it seems that much more apartments are created in the minimum possible size, providing the necessary spaces (kitchen, bathroom, bedroom).
Hence, generous collective spaces are designed on the ground floor and mezzanine, as well as on the 6th floor and on the roof.
Hence, generous collective spaces are designed on the ground floor and mezzanine, as well as on the 6th floor and on the roof.
GENEROUS COLLECTIVE SPACES
GENEROUS COLLECTIVE SPACES
Affordability: Addressing thermal bridges can increase costs without significant energy benefits in a mild climate like Athens, making it unnecessary for an affordable housing project.
In addition, due to the two stairwells that are located outside, there is bright and positive lighting and ventilation in all apartments without exception.
In addition, due to the two stairwells that are located outside, there is bright and positive lighting and ventilation in all apartments without exception.
COOPERATIVE living
Future Adaptability: The building's design allows for future upgrades if needed, maintaining flexibility and adaptability over time.
COOPERATIVE living
• Collective decisions
• Collective decisions
• Actively participate in the decision and management of common spaces and services.
• Actively participate in the decision and management of common spaces and services.
• Tenants own shares in a cooperative that owns the building.
• Tenants own shares in a cooperative that owns the building.
• Cohousing: Sharing common areas (eg, kitchens, function rooms), but with private residences.
• Cohousing: Sharing common areas (eg, kitchens, function rooms), but with private residences.
• Collective responsibility for the maintenance and management of common areas.
• Collective responsibility for the maintenance and management of common areas.
• Collective financial management.
• Collective financial management.
1. COLLECTIVE GROUND FLOOR SPACE
4. COLLECTIVE BALCONY 6TH FLOOR
3. COLLECTIVE MEZZANINE BALCONY
2. COLLECTIVE MEZZANINE BALCONY
1. COLLECTIVE GROUND FLOOR SPACE
4. COLLECTIVE BALCONY 6TH FLOOR
5. COLLECTIVE ROOFTOP
3. COLLECTIVE MEZZANINE BALCONY
2. COLLECTIVE MEZZANINE BALCONY
1. COLLECTIVE GROUND FLOOR SPACE
3. COLLECTIVE MEZZANINE BALCONY
2. COLLECTIVE MEZZANINE BALCONY
1. COLLECTIVE GROUND FLOOR SPACE
4. COLLECTIVE BALCONY 6TH FLOOR
3. COLLECTIVE MEZZANINE BALCONY
2. COLLECTIVE MEZZANINE BALCONY
1. COLLECTIVE GROUND FLOOR SPACE 4. COLLECTIVE BALCONY 6TH FLOOR
5. COLLECTIVE ROOFTOP
3. COLLECTIVE MEZZANINE BALCONY
2. COLLECTIVE MEZZANINE BALCONY
1. COLLECTIVE GROUND FLOOR SPACE
2. COLLECTIVE MEZZANINE BALCONY
4. COLLECTIVE BALCONIES IN EVERY FLOOR
6. COLLECTIVE ROOFTOP
3. COLLECTIVE FACILITIES
5. COLLECTIVE BALCONY 6TH FLOOR
01 | Diploma Thesis: The reinterpretation of baths in the contemporary city
Academic project | Advanced Studio Design | Individual work | Thessaloniki, Greece | University of Cyprus, 2019-2020
Primary Supervisor: Dr. Popi Iacovou
Second Supervisors: Dr. Panayiota
Tertiary Supervisors: Dr. Christos Papastergiou
Honorable Mention-Gaudi Architecture Prize 2020
The aim of this project is the reinterpretation of the bath in the contemporary city of Thessaloniki. Since ancient times, public baths have played an important role in the social and cultural life of the city as spaces of hygiene, sacred ritual, pleasure, and physical relaxation.
This design project re-examines the importance and role of the baths as places of social and cultural interaction that introduce a new rhythm in the everyday life of the city of Thessaloniki, re-claiming its multicultural identity. This new rhythm acts as diversion from the everydayness and the routine that slows down the hectic pace imposed by city life. In addition, it punctuates a pause in everyday life, that allows for reconnection with one’s self and body, stress release and wellbeing while creating an antidote to consumerism and an alternative to the privately owned commercial and recreational spaces.
The program of the proposal has as its main element the bath with a central outdoor pool and individual private indoor spaces where the ritual of the bath takes place. In addition, communal spaces such as a square, gardens, a refreshment room, an outdoor area for screenings cultural activities and swimming pools in the sea are recommended.
Between public and private: The proposal concerns the reinterpretation of bath as a public space, but due to the special nature of the program, more private and introverted spaces are needed. Utilizing the urban landscape, it combines the liquid element with the views of the city, forming the basis of the narrative walk.
Baths/Atmosphere and materiality of interior space
Architecture and Dwelling
Individual work | Amsterdam, The Netherlands
TU Delft , 2023
Ir. Pierijn van der Putt Jelke Fokkinga
The design focusses on both starters and families. On the ground floor, nine family homes are interconnected with an inner courtyard, providing a secure play area for children. The upper levels feature a range of studios and apartments, varying in size from 35m2 to 70m2. These apartments are connected through a communal gallery and offer shared rooftop terraces, fostering a sense of community among residents. The galleries for the maisonettes provide access to the homes and provide access to half a bedroom floor with internal stairs to the living floor, which is above or below. Additionally, the residences have private balconies on the eastern and southern sides. Finally, the top floor accommodates four penthouses, each spanning 100m2 in size.
The structure is a hybrid combination of concrete and CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber). The foundation and core are rainforced concrete skeleton, ensuring the building’s stability. The utilization of a concrete base allows the first two floors to be higher, where the commercial space is. The upper floors and walls are composed of CLT construction. The materials work together to optimize structural performance. The concrete resists compression while the wood, with its capacity to flex, offers tensile strength.
Climate and Ventilation diagram
1 Maisonette balcony detail 1:10
Galvanized rain chain
Roof drain Gutter
Ventilation Pipe Type D
2 Wall and floor connection of CLT construction 1:10
Floor/Ceiling construction:
Pine floor boards
Concrete slab
PE-RT underfloor heating pipe diffusion-tight 5 layers Type 2
Impact sound isolation
160 mm cross laminated timber ceiling
Insulation
Wood floor joists
Gypsum
Glass detail/ Blacony door 1:10
Triple glazing
Aluminum frame
Reinforced Concrete Beam
04 | STUDENT HOUSING, Cyprus University
Professional Work | International Competition
Ksestudio & Kizis Studio
Nicosia, Cyprus, 2021
sofia@ksestudio.com
kyriakos@ksestudio.com costandis@kizistudio.com
Professional work as an architectural intern, while being part of ksestudio team architecture office, Athens, Greece-2021
Participated in the conceptual design and planning proccess, 3d modeling, graphistic drawings and development of constraction documents.
Renderings: Converter studio
The project reimagines the traditional student housing bar buildings by bending and organizing them in a necklace-like sequence around a densely planted courtyard which resembles a forest. Considering the student’s overlapping needs for privacy and socializing, all dorms are placed on the perimeter of the necklace facing the campus. Living rooms and communal spaces are organized on double height platforms facing the courtyard, triggering visual connections and interactions between those on the ground and those on the building. A public square at the center of the forest hosts public programs such as a cafeteria, event space and small shops that foster a sense of community in the complex reinforcing the ties between the tenants of the dorms and inviting the rest of the campus to learn, play, and hang out.
05 | Beach House in Chalkidiki
Interior Design
Individual work | Chalkidiki, Greece 2022
Designing a small space is about precision—curating only what is necessary to create a functional and comfortable home. In compact dwellings, furniture is not just a collection of objects but an integral part of the architecture, designed to maximize usability while maintaining an uncluttered feel. Every piece must serve multiple purposes, blending efficiency with aesthetics.
A well-planned small apartment does not feel limiting but rather thoughtfully optimized. A corner sofa, for example, can double as two single beds, with built-in drawers underneath for additional storage. In the bathroom, a custom-built unit integrates space for a washing machine, ironing board, laundry bins, and extra storage, ensuring everything has its place. Even the balcony is considered in the design—a plywood table attaches to the railing, folding down when not in use to free up space for movement, yet expanding when needed for summer dining.
