Founded in 1973
by Kyriakos (Kerry) Tsolakis
The award winning architectural practice K. Tsolakis & Associates was founded in 1973 by Kyriakos (Kerry) Tsolakis in Melbourne, Australia. Over its 20 years, the company engaged in 520 architectural projects across Melbourne. The practice was a member of the Architects Registration Board of Victoria.
The types of projects were varied and included commercial, educational, housing, reception centres, hotels, showrooms, restaurants, factories, churches and school buildings.
Kyriakos' three children, all architects, opened the current practice Kyriakos Tsolakis Architects in Cyprus in 2008.
A selection of historic projects can be seen below.
Carlton Court Town Houses
Carlton, Melbourne
1987
$5 million
21 luxury town houses in the heard of the intercity suburb of Carlton. The project consisted of an area of over 2500 square meters of land for Development Company Readyvest.
Empire Reception Centre
Brunswick, Melbourne
1984
$3 million
The project was part of a larger scheme of regeneration on Sydney road that the Brunswick Council aimed to use to revitalise the area as a major shopping centre. The site for this project was previously occupied by cinemas.
The design of a reception centre on the former site of the Empire Theatre offered two community halls, one for 300-400 people and the other 600-700 people.
Holy Monastery of Axion Esti
Former Little Sisters of the Poor
Northcote, Melbourne
1988-1992
The practice was in charge of the restoration of the Greek Orthodox monastery in Melbourne, the only monastery outside of Greece at that time. It is housed in a beautiful listed building in Melbourne Australia where it still functions today.
The monastery was built in the 1890's as a Catholic convent for the nursing home Little Sisters of the poor. The Greek Orthodox building work was necessary for the conversion and adaptation of the monastery of for its operation according to the Greek Orthodox ceremonial and religious needs. All main spaces were remodelled such as the main church, the outdoor areas, and living quarters for the monks and priests as well as the offices and conference rooms for visitors.
Northcote Multicultural Centre
First Prize Architectural Competition
1982
The winning proposal for the Nortchote Multicultural Centre preserved the façade of the historic baths of Northcote. Retaining the old baths entrance and part of the walls in the design allowed the new development to fit within the suburban context. Flexible internal planning and a fully resolved proposal with an incorporated park in its landscape led to the award of the first prize for the competition entry.
Moorabin Printing
Moorabin, Melbourne
1987
$2.5 million
This project was for the design of showrooms, offices and warehouses for the commercial firm Moorabin Printing on a site of over two acres. The group of buildings was later converted to accommodate the Door Store manufacturing company.
Kallis Industries
South Melbourne
1984
$1.1 million
This project for Kallis Industries clothing company included showroom and warehouse spaces. The design made extensive use of large glass panels on the street facades and signature Tsolakis triangular forms to mark the entrances.
Selected Houses
70s-80s-90s
Tsolakis' residential works during these decades were the product of bespoke designs for different sites, briefs and clients. A characteristic repertoire of architectural gestures define these homes.
A distinct feel is lent to each room of the house with the treatment of the ceiling which relates to the external form of the roof.
The entrance of these houses are often marked by a double height reception area connected to the entertainment areas. The ground floor spaces are light and airy, in a free open-plan composition. Entertainment areas usually focus around a fireplace. The location of the staircase in the centre of the ground floor gives a sense of grandeur while also serving to separate the entertainment from the family areas.
First floors often have internal galleries that mediate between the ground floor double height space and the more intimate scale of the bedrooms on the first floor.
