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Soho Resort
| Type: | Residential |
| Location: | Paphos, Cyprus |
| Description: | Soho ResortAt Soho Resort, we supplied and installed the ceramic ventilated facade system by Buchtal. More specifically, the ceramic tile chosen for this project was Buchtal’s KeraTwin K20, colour 407 white in dimensions 120x40cm. It is a self-cleaning system that is extremely durable and specifically designed for ventilated facades with excellent insulation characteristics and no maintenance requirements. This project was challenging in terms of engineering and detailing. After multiple meetings with our suppliers, the architects, and our in-house expertise, we tackled all complexities – which was mostly the proximity to the sea – and offered the most durable solution for this project. |
SOHO Resort – Ventilated Ceramic Facade – Paphos
Project Overview
- Completion Date: April, 2026
- Location: Paphos, Cyprus
- Sector: Residential
- Contractor: Zemco Group
- Developer: Korantina Homes
- Architect: Antreas Ioannou Architects
- EKA Products Used: Ceramic Self-Cleaning Ventilated Facade System by Agrob Buchtal – Keratwin K20, colour white in size 120x40cm
The Vision and Architectural Challenge
The SOHO Tower project was originally designed with a white painted façade. However, during the design development, the client carefully evaluated the long-term maintenance costs associated with repainting a high-rise building. The analysis showed that regular maintenance would be both expensive and difficult over the building’s lifecycle.
To provide a more sustainable and cost-effective solution, we proposed the Agrob Buchtal ventilated façade system with white extruded ceramic tiles. One of the key reasons behind this selection was Agrob Buchtal’s unique HYTECT® self-cleaning technology, a special surface treatment that allows the façade to naturally clean itself through rainwater, humidity, and sunlight, significantly reducing maintenance requirements.
In addition, the ventilated façade system improves the building’s thermal performance by creating a continuous air cavity behind the ceramic cladding. This contributes to lower energy consumption, increased occupant comfort, and a more sustainable building with reduced operational costs.
Our Process and Implementation Strategy
Our involvement began during the design stage, where we prepared the ceramic tile layouts for approval by the architect. Once approved, all ceramic tiles were factory-cut according to the approved shop drawings, ensuring accuracy and minimizing installation time on site.
The majority of the façade was constructed using 400 × 1200 mm Agrob Buchtal ceramic tiles.
One of the project’s main technical challenges was the existing wall construction. Since the building had originally been designed for a painted finish, the external walls were built using Ytong blocks for thermal insulation rather than concrete. This required careful engineering of the façade fixing system.
Under the project management and oversight of Rania Koliandri from EKA, our engineering team worked closely with Fischer to select certified anchoring solutions specifically designed for Ytong substrates, ensuring the structural safety and long-term durability of the ventilated façade system.
Phase 1: Consultation and Specification
The architect selected a white ceramic finish together with matching ACP (Aluminium Composite Panel) flashings from our metallic facade solutions to create a clean and elegant exterior aesthetic.
Besides supplying the ceramic façade system, we also provided and installed the ACP cladding around windows, curtain walls, and architectural details, offering the client a complete façade package from a single contractor.
Agrob Buchtal was selected primarily because of its self-cleaning ceramic technology, which directly addressed the client’s maintenance concerns. Following the material selection, we prepared detailed shop drawings including façade layouts, corners, window flashings, door details, and concealed fixing sections before production commenced.
Phase 2: Technical Execution
Before installation, a complete site survey was carried out to identify the actual structural tolerances of the building.
The aluminium substructure was designed with sufficient adjustability to compensate for deviations between the Ytong walls and the reinforced concrete structure, with differences reaching up to 80 mm, while maintaining perfectly aligned façade surfaces.
The installation sequence included:
- Installation of certified Fischer anchors suitable for Ytong masonry.
- Installation of aluminium façade brackets.
- Installation and alignment of the vertical aluminium profiles.
- Installation of the Agrob Buchtal ceramic tiles using the concealed fixing system.
- Installation of ACP panels and flashings around windows and curtain walls to integrate seamlessly with external shading systems and window openings.
All aluminium profiles were supplied with a black finish, creating discreet shadow joints and eliminating visible aluminium reflections under sunlight.
Integrated Product Offerings and Solutions
Agrob Buchtal is one of Germany’s leading manufacturers of ventilated façade systems, with more than 40 years of experience in architectural ceramic cladding.
The company has been one of the pioneers in the development of extruded ceramic façade systems and offers an extensive range of colours, textures, and formats.
One of its greatest advantages is its manufacturing flexibility, allowing architects to create curved façades, three-dimensional elements, custom profiles, and unique architectural details without significantly increasing production costs.
The ventilated façade system delivers excellent long-term performance by combining durable ceramic cladding with continuous rear ventilation. Unlike painted façades, ceramic surfaces maintain their appearance for decades with virtually no maintenance.
Agrob Buchtal also offers tile dimensions of up to 600 × 1800 mm, providing architects with exceptional design flexibility across modern facade solutions.
Architectural Façades
The Agrob Buchtal ventilated façade system provides numerous benefits, including:
- Reduced heating and cooling energy consumption through continuous ventilation.
- Improved thermal insulation and elimination of thermal bridges.
- Better acoustic performance.
- Enhanced resistance to weathering, UV exposure, stains, and chemicals.
- Self-cleaning ceramic surfaces thanks to HYTECT® technology.
- Fast and efficient installation using a proven concealed fixing system.
- Easy access for future inspection or replacement of individual panels.
- Long service life with minimal maintenance requirements.
- Support for sustainable building certifications and environmentally responsible construction.
Project Results and Sustainability Impact
The Agrob Buchtal ventilated façade system successfully transformed both the performance and the architectural appearance of SOHO Tower.
The completed façade delivers:
- Improved thermal efficiency.
- Enhanced acoustic insulation.
- Superior resistance to weather exposure.
- Elimination of condensation, mould, and thermal bridges.
- Reduced long-term maintenance costs.
- Outstanding architectural aesthetics.
- Increased durability and lifecycle performance.
- Lower operational energy consumption and improved sustainability.
By replacing the originally specified painted façade with a ventilated ceramic system, the client invested in a solution that offers significantly lower maintenance costs while improving the building’s environmental performance and long-term value.
Client Feedback
The client, consultants, and architectural team were extremely satisfied with the final result. The project successfully achieved the desired minimalist white architectural appearance while providing a durable, low-maintenance façade solution capable of performing for decades.
The success of the first SOHO Tower also led directly to the specification of the same Agrob Buchtal ventilated façade system for the neighbouring tower, which is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
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