Residence in Kerameikos

Aesthetic integration

The project involves the renovation and restoration of a single-family house in the Keramikos area, transforming it into two independent units to meet the needs of the new owners. Before the intervention, the house consisted of three distinct sections, each with its own unique character.

Design Challenges

The first two units of the house featured load-bearing masonry -one having a tiled roof and the other a flat roof. The third section, a later addition, had a reinforced concrete structure and housed the utility spaces, including the kitchen and bathroom. Overall, the house faced structural, aesthetic, and functional challenges: access to the service areas was cumbersome, requiring the user to pass through six consecutive rooms. Furthermore, the built-in staircase leading to the attic took up most of the inner courtyard space, restricting its functionality and obstructing natural light from reaching the interior rooms.

Plan Reorganization

The design approach was guided by the traditional architectural typology of the Keramikos area, where small houses are arranged around a shared internal courtyard. The reorganization of the floor plan, along with the thoughtful blend of old and new materials, preserves and highlights key elements such as the masonry and cement tile floors, enhancing both the visual and functional aspects of the residence. By dismantling the old staircase and replacing it with a new, visually lighter, metallic one, as well as introducing new openings, the courtyard is realigned with the residence. As a central, cohesive element, it organizes the surrounding spaces, allowing for better communication and natural lighting throughout the house.

Materials & Custom Structures

Uniform grey tiles are used for both the new interior floors and the courtyard, reinforcing the continuity between indoor and outdoor spaces and blurring the boundaries between them. Simple and functional design elements create a cohesive aesthetic across the three distinct sections of the house, while preserving its historic character.