For the Odyssey project, Shirine Zirak worked in collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld on a concept referring to Ancient Greece and The Odyssey, Ulysse’s travels across the Mediterranean.
This ambitious architectural project involved the creation of a new pool, spa, smokehouses, bars, restaurants by Chef Joël Robuchon, as well as meeting rooms, terraces, and both exterior and interior gardens.
The contemporary design honours the aesthetic codes of that era, featuring large white stone slabs punctuated by black and white mosaic cabochons on the ground. The curved walls are adorned with textured paint in a golden bronze hue, and the doors and frames are made of bronze, mirroring the design of the furniture. A standout piece of the project is a backlit glass screen, composed of 18 panels, illustrating the journey of Odysseus. This unique artwork was conceived and created by Karl Lagerfeld exclusively for this project.
The decorative design, with its clean lines, simple yet refined materials, and well-defined spaces, achieves a perfect balance between fluidity and elegance. The harmony between mineral and natural elements creates a space that continuously transforms—whether in the daytime or evening, summer or winter.
The Odyssey goes from peace heaven during the day to place-to-be during the evening, offering innovative cocktails, light and varied snacking and unique musical ambiance conceived by Beatrice Ardisson furthered by DJ sets on the weekends. It’s the first upmarket finger food concept launched by chef Joel Robuchon.
The hanging gardens around the pool were designed by Shirine Zirak in collaboration with renowned French landscaper Jacques Messin. Developed in partnership with Karl Lagerfeld, the concept draws inspiration from Ulysses’ Odyssey and ancient Greece.
The Odyssey Project in Monaco marked the beginning of an ongoing collaboration between Karl Lagerfeld and Shirine Zirak, both ambassadors of French excellency through their work. Since this first project, they have worked together across the globe, designing restaurants, bars, swimming pools, meeting rooms, and even creative studios and towers in Taiwan. Their shared vision of clean, elegant spaces, using a combination of refined and raw materials, reflects their commitment to architectural perfection. Their collaboration has been a tremendous success, as both artists are in complete sync with each other’s vision.