An existing building has been renovated into a home for a family of four, in Voula, Attica. The structure of the building has been preserved and added to where necessary, so that it may fulfil the intrinsic functions of the new residence.
The existing building, built as a stand-alone construction, was situated on site, ignoring its rather interesting, natural contour. Additionally, its architectural language was dominated by roofs, with intense and varied inclines, a diversity of openings and balconies in disparate shapes, creating an unpleasant aesthetic result which was at odds with the serenity and peacefulness that a residential building should convey.
During the re-evaluation process, the architects aimed to simplify the geometry and elements of the building volume, in order to create a form which would be characterised by architectural clarity and integrity, as well as to landscape the immediate surrounding area, so as to restore its harmonious relationship with the building.
The residence was separated into two units; one for the living areas, covering two levels at the western section of the building and the other for the bedrooms; unfolding over three levels at the eastern side. Simultaneously, it was redesigned to access the habitable spaces from the inside out, so that both internal and external areas could participate equally in the residential experience. The elevation facing the street was addressed as a barrier, shielding the family from its intrusion; while the elevation facing the courtyard was freed from all unnecessary, morphological elements and opened up to nature.
The main colour chosen for the interior and exterior of the building is white, in order to showcase the clarity of its architectural form, while the retaining walls in grey granite, restrain soil and create courtyards. Frames are metal, in a black hue and parapets are in glass, adding to the austerity of the architectural vocabulary.