New correlations

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.

 

Spatial Layout

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.

 

Custom structures

The solid wall is replaced by a central wooden structure, which is part of a broader design concept extending from the entrance to the bedroom. As a unifying element, the Greek walnut wood structure becomes the focal point of the floor plan, serving as the central reference of the home. It takes on a functional role, incorporating kitchen equipment, a work desk, and storage cabinets. The metal construction at the entrance, with its hidden storage spaces, library, and movable mirror panel, redefines the concept of boundaries. This transformation opens up the apartment, offering unexpected connections to the city from nearly every vantage point.

 

Material & Decorative Elements

A variety of materials, multifunctional elements, and dynamic features transform the once-static core of the apartment into a living, functional space. The ceilings, walls, and individual decorative elements from the period are unified by a consistent color scheme, enhancing the homogeneity and emphasizing the Art Deco characteristics of the dwelling, which seeks to blend diverse elements. The strategic interventions within the interior stand in contrast to the uniform monochrome environment, utilizing distinctive materials such as red Greek walnut and dark black metals. This creates a harmonious balance between the original structure and the new additions.