10 Picks for Architectural Conservation & Restoration Projects

The editorial team of ek magazine selected ten architectural projects, featured in past print issues as well as the ek website, that showcase exceptional restoration and conservation design.

Apartment Renovation in Athens | Trail: Architects & Designers Practice

Annual Issue: Apartments 2023

The apartment belongs to a four-story building designed in the 1970ies, at the junction of Rigillis and Vassileos Georigiou streets in the center of Athens. Its renovation embraces the urban ambience of its location, introducing the notion of modernity as the guiding principle of its reuse.

The diffusion of eastern light in all the living spaces becomes the main idea of the reconstruction, elaborated in transparent and semi-transparent elements, in order to intensify the circulation flow and the views throughout. The entrance, casual dining area, kitchen, and dining room, now form a sequence with the lounge. This gesture is underlined with double swinging doors bearing transparent glass paneling, between the new kitchen and dining room. The transformation of the kitchen into a vital space, open towards both dining areas, raised the need to redefine the floors, by repurposing already existing elements.

Transforming a Painting Studio into a Residence | Office 111

Annual Issue: Apartments 2024

The 160m² apartment, formerly a painting studio, now serves as a residence for a family of three. Located on the fourth floor of a building in the industrial zone of central Athens, the project was a significant transformation. The goal was to create a comfortable living space, involving the design of three bedrooms, a bathroom, generous storage solutions, and a unified communal area encompassing a kitchen, living room, dining space, and an office.

The layout of the apartment was carefully planned to establish a central social hub. The communal area was strategically positioned, and at its core stands an open concrete fireplace. This fireplace serves as the heart of the residence, with the other functions thoughtfully arranged around it. Despite the spatial limitations, the design allows for a sense of free-flowing movement. The private spaces blend seamlessly with the communal areas, utilizing the available square footage efficiently, while ensuring there is enough room for both the kitchen and living area.

Parking Garage with Marble Reception in Athens | Oikonomakis Siampakoulis architects

The project involves the redesign of an enclosed parking area located at the intersection of Solonos and Asclepius streets in Kolonaki, central Athens. The seven-story parking facility accommodates approximately 1,000 drivers daily and is situated in a bustling area characterized by high business activity and several prominent public institutions. Nearby landmarks include the Law School, the National Library, the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens, the Council of State, and the Cultural Centre of the Municipality of Athens. The surrounding densely populated neighborhood faces significant traffic congestion and a severe shortage of parking spaces relative to the daily demand. As a result, multi-story enclosed parking structures play a vital role in supporting the area’s functionality for those reliant on cars. However, many of these facilities are outdated and lack thoughtful design. This project, therefore, presents an opportunity to reimagine these essential infrastructural spaces, enhancing their functionality and improving the daily experience of the workers who rely on them.

Apartment Renovation in Mets | Fotis Zapantiotis Associated Architects

ek Issue: 265 | March 2022

The project involves the renovation of a 75m² apartment located in a typical inter-war building in Athens, featuring Art Deco elements. The existing layout and function of the space were preserved, with the new design tailored to meet the needs of the owner, who primarily resides abroad and uses the apartment intermittently.

The goal was to preserve the majority of the floor plan while maintaining the structural integrity and morphological features of the apartment. The design approach focused on redefining these characteristics. The apartment’s typical layout from the period divides the space into five distinct areas: the entrance hall, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and living room. The compact, enclosed nature of these spaces and their boundaries remain largely intact, with one key alteration: the removal of a dividing wall between the entrance hall and kitchen. Previously isolated and closed off from the main view, these areas are now redefined, gaining new significance and better integration into the life and function of the apartment. This change creates new spatial and functional connections with the living room, while also allowing for a cohesive design of the interior views.

Casa Verde Gago: Residence in Portugal | Bruno Dias Arquitectura

The residence is located in the historic centre of Ansião and is the result of the renovation of an old building. It emanates a contemporary feel that respects the memory of its historical context, while preserving the essence of the site. The name “Casa Verde Gago” derives from the fusion of the name of the street where the building is located as well as the color primary chosen for the façade: green, which refers to the color palette of traditional Portuguese houses. Additionally, the presence of wood, a prominent element in the project, refers to the traditional layout of old Portuguese buildings. Its use aims to create a slight visual dissonance in the façade’s design, without however becoming disassociated from the immediate street aesthetic. This material is found both in the structure and in the interior details, giving the space an intimate and cozy feel.

Office Renovation in Patra | Tatiana Dimou Architects

ek Issue: 266 | April 2022

In the heart of Patras, an old industrial building, originally constructed in 1910, has been repurposed into a modern architectural office and exhibition space. The building began as Agouridis’ distillery and later became the renowned Karydis carpentry shop. It remained in operational until 2005.

The building, covering an area of 136m², is a single-story space with stone masonry walls and wooden-supported roofs. The primary goal of the architectural restoration was to preserve its key structural elements while enhancing their natural appearance through minimal interventions. In the first phase, the roof frame was preserved and reinforced. The old asbestos-cement roofing slabs were replaced with polyurethane thermal insulation panels. The new roof cladding is made of longitudinal translucent blocks, which offer the space additional natural light.

Jungle Office: Engineering Office in Thessaloniki | Louizi-Louizis Architects

ek Issue: 266 | April 2022

This study focuses on transforming an abandoned urban structure into a dynamic workplace for a group of young, extroverted, curious, and bold engineers. This design aims to meet work-related needs as well as stimulate the senses and foster extraordinary interactions among team members and their clients. The concept is simple: “Let’s bring the jungle into the building.” At the office entrance, a circular feature is created, adorned with tropical plants such as Strelitzia nicolai, Howea forsteriana, Beaucarnea, and Asparagus setaceus, complemented by natural rocks.

A fully automated system integrates drip irrigation and dimmable artificial lighting to ensure optimal plant preservation and growth. The cooling effect of plant evaporation, combined with the earthy scent of moistened soil, evokes the sensation of being immersed in nature, guiding users into an environment that feels refreshing and serene

House Extension in Paleo Faliro | Kizi Studio

ek Issue: 271 | October 2022

The recent addition of a floor to a family home in Paleo Faliro marks the latest chapter in its history, which spans over half a century and reflects the broader narrative of residential development in modern Greece. After the war, the grandfather built a ground floor with artificial walls to house his new family. During the building boom of the 1960s, he expanded it into a two-storey house. This transformation hinted at the potential for an apartment building, with the staircase strategically positioned to support future expansions, while the concrete was discreetly concealed in the roof -though these plans never came to fruition.

The house was eventually passed down to the next generation, where another family grew up in the duplex. When the grandchildren started families of their own, the parents moved to the ground floor, now perfectly suited to their old age, while the third generation extended the house upward once again. Over time, the building aged, regulations evolved, and the long-delayed plans for the apartment building could no longer be postponed, as the concrete awaited its moment of realization.

Apartment Renovation in Kolonaki | Dare Studio

ek Issue: 285 | March 2024

The project focuses on renovating a 1970s penthouse apartment in the bustling Kolonaki neighborhood. Retaining only the structural frame, the redesign transforms the floor plan to meet the modern needs of the city’s residents. The result is a series of serene, harmonious spaces enriched with earthy, contemporary design elements.

The original floor plan featured a compartmentalized layout that divided the apartment into numerous small rooms, blocking the invaluable sunlight and the stunning views of Athens. It included a main entrance with a hallway, a closed-off kitchen, a maid’s room with a separate entrance, a dining room separated from the living room by double sliding doors, and bedrooms sharing a single bathroom. The interior was dominated by gold and blue wallpaper, complemented by extensive dark wood paneling, which further darkened the space.

Renovation of a 1980s Apartment | Fluo Architecture and Design Studio

Annual issue: Apartments 2024

The project involves the architectural design of an apartment in Agia Paraskevi, Athens, located within a residential complex from the 1980s. The proposal maintains the maximalist lines of that era while enriching them with new materials and technologies.

This aesthetic is manifest in the decision to retain the mosaic floor, showcasing a collection of diverse marble aggregates on an earthy pink base, extending through the entrance corridor, kitchen, and wc. A standout feature of the residence is a divider-buffet that begins at the entrance and crosses through the kitchen, isolating it from the living room. Its larger portion is made of semi-transparent, textured glass, allowing discreet interaction with the adjoining space.