Radical layout
The project involves the renovation and complete reconfiguration of a penthouse apartment, situated on the top floor within a recessed area. The 50m2 apartment is part of a 1960s Athenian polykatoikia and includes a 50m2 balcony.
Open-Plan Layout
Over the decades, changing needs and lifestyles have underscored the importance of radically redefining the apartment’s layout. A primary modification is the repositioning of the entrance, creating a welcoming “threshold” that invites residents to gradually explore the space. The existing kitchen is replaced by the entryway, where a built-in storage area on the right functions both as seating and a compartment for the washing machine.
An oversized storage room -previously disproportionate for the apartment’s size- has been converted into a combined kitchen and dining area, which now serves as the central axis of the apartment’s design. At the heart of the open floor plan is a custom-designed living room sofa, a versatile, multifunctional piece around which the layout revolves. This redesign integrates the kitchen with the living and dining areas, creating a flexible, multipurpose space tailored to the demands of modern life.
Design Gestures
Given the limited square footage, the apartment is designed to minimize visual clutter through a single cohesive spatial gesture: the kitchen cabinetry extends and clads the bathroom volume in a defining blue color, which also becomes definitive for the project’s name, ” Kyano”. This blue structure also serves a functional purpose, concealing the air conditioning unit, which is the primary source of heating and cooling, and discreetly integrating all electrical appliances.
In order to take advantage of the spacious balcony, the main living room opening is extended in both length and height, further merging the interior and exterior space. In parallel, the existing outdoor mosaic flooring is polished, preserving a touch of the apartment’s original character, while a water feature transforms the outdoor space into an urban garden.
Material & Color Pallet
The project’s material palette draws inspiration from the Kallimarmaro Stadium, a historic landmark in the Pagrati area. White Dionysos marble was selected for the kitchen counter, complemented by off-white lacquered wood for the cabinetry. Custom-designed furniture pieces -such as the bathroom vanity, bedside tables, and living room coffee table- are crafted from raw sheet metal, treated with anti-scaling varnish for durability.
The bathroom is clad with small tiles, while a glass block wall defines the shower area and allows additional light to flow in from the bright living room. The bedroom, designed as a private sanctuary, features soothing off-white tones that offer a respite from daily life. The original reinforced concrete load-bearing structure is also exposed, adding character and texture to the space.