One Kleomenous | Residence in Lycabettus

Building integration

One Kleomenous represents an innovative approach to residential architecture. Advanced technologies were employed throughout both the design and construction processes to achieve a result that blends refined aesthetics with practical functionality.

Design Philosophy

Located on the threshold between the dense urban fabric of Athens and the natural terrain of Lycabettus Hill, the site itself shaped the design approach. The building was envisioned as a bridge between two worlds: the structured, modernist cityscape -with its characteristic forms and materials -and the organic topography of the hill, with its vegetation and earthy textures. The architectural vision sought to create a structure that is both functionally contemporary and contextually integrated. To achieve this, a hybrid design language was adopted- one that embraces innovation while respecting its surroundings.

Urban Integration

The building’s placement, orientation, and functional layout were carefully studied to define its relationship with both the city and the landscape. On the side facing the urban environment, the close proximity to a neighboring structure influenced a more restrained design -a flat façade rendered in simple plaster, echoing one of the most common Athenian finishes. Conversely, on the side adjoining the forest, the architectural strategy shifted to accommodate the dynamic contours of the hill and the proximity to vegetation. Protruding balconies extend toward the treetops, shaped to reflect the flowing forms of the natural landscape. The southeastern façade required a specially designed cladding system to diffuse direct sunlight.

Inspiration for this design emerged from an old topographic map of the area. The elegant lines of the map’s contour curves were translated into architectural form. A digital model of a “landscape façade” was developed, introducing fluid transitions between the geometric volumes of the balconies. This surface was then digitally segmented into sequential sections, forming the components of the cladding system. Without adding mass, the existing volumes were unified to form a geometry that feels organically embedded in its environment.

Material Palette

The choice of Travertine marble was both aesthetic and contextual. Its beige hue mirrors the stones traditionally used in the retaining walls of Lycabettus Hill. From the outset, the building’s strong visual connection to the Acropolis inspired the use of marble -a material both timeless and versatile.

Travertine’s porous surface not only offers visual texture but also reinforces its natural, unprocessed character. The material also connects to the architectural language of nearby 1970s buildings, including the adjacent structure that links One Kleomenous to the urban fabric. The interior palette was selected with equal sensitivity; colors were chosen to harmonize with the earth tones of the site. Glass balustrades further strengthen the building’s connection to nature, subtly reflecting the surrounding greenery.

Overall, the building’s material and design choices are a direct reference to the aesthetic of the Attic landscape. Together, they achieve the desired effect: a natural continuation of the built environment, a threshold that quietly transitions into untouched land. The result is a structure that exists in harmony with its context -One Kleomenous stands as a model of architectural integration with its environment.