A series of light-touch interventions transforms a ground-floor apartment in Kolonaki into the architecture practice’s first permanent workplace, retaining the existing timber floors, glazed doors and arched entrance.

 

The Local Local workplace occupies a 77m² ground-floor apartment in Kolonaki, Athens. Designed by Local Local as the practice’s first permanent headquarters, the project adapts an existing residential interior through a series of non-structural interventions that preserve its previous architectural layers.

Before moving into the new office, the growing team had been working from founder Sofia Xanthakou’s own Plaka House. The new space provides a dedicated setting for collective work while translating the studio’s wider interest in context, material history and reuse into its everyday working environment.

 

Working with the existing apartment

As the property is leased, the intervention was deliberately restrained. Instead of substantially altering the existing plan, the design works with the qualities already present in the apartment.

The original timber floors were repaired and lightened to compensate for the limited direct sunlight reaching the ground-floor interior. White walls further increase luminosity, while the existing timber doors with rippled glazed panels were restored and finished in a slightly darker tone.

The arched entrance was also retained. Together, these elements preserve the domestic origins of the space rather than concealing them behind a conventional office fit-out.

The L-shaped plan is divided primarily between the main workspace and a meeting room with access from two sides. This simple organization allows the small office to accommodate different patterns of individual and collective work without introducing new permanent partitions.

 

Furniture as part of the workplace

A large solid-cypress table in the meeting room became the point of departure for the furniture designed specifically for the office.

Drawing on its material and proportions, Local Local developed a large communal worktable and two window-facing desks. Solid timber is combined with Formica to withstand the heavier daily use associated with the workplace.

The new elements coexist with chairs retrieved from storage rather than replaced with a complete new furniture set. This combination of bespoke pieces and existing objects gives the office an intentionally cumulative character.

The meeting room itself was formerly a bedroom. Its original wardrobe was retained, but its doors were removed and replaced with roll-up blinds. The simple alteration transforms the existing joinery into open storage for material samples and project documentation while keeping another layer of the apartment visible.

 

Books and collective design work

A Vitsœ shelving system occupies one of the main walls and holds Sofia Xanthakou’s architecture library, assembled over almost a decade of study and professional work.

Previously kept in storage, the books now form both a working resource and a visual backdrop to the studio. Their prominent position reflects the practice’s continued use of printed material as a tool for research and design.

Another wall is occupied by a long perforated-metal pinboard finished in pistachio green. Designed by Local Local, it allows drawings, references and work in progress to be displayed and reviewed collectively.

The element establishes an analogue counterpart to screen-based work. Projects can be pinned up, compared and discussed at a larger scale, turning the wall into an active part of the design process.

 

A more distinct entrance

The entrance was treated as an opportunity to give the workplace a clearer identity. The existing lobby had little natural light and lacked a distinct spatial character.

Local Local invited artist Theodore Psychoyos to create two site-specific marble pieces for this area: a sculptural console and a seat. Marble, already recurrent in the practice’s architectural work, introduces a denser material presence against the lighter background of timber floors and white walls.

The pieces are functional objects but also establish a more deliberate threshold between the street, the shared building and the studio.

Lighting contributes another precisely selected layer. Ceiling fixtures by Michael Anastassiades are used in the principal workspace, while a freestanding light by the same designer completes the meeting room.

 

An office designed to accumulate

The project does not pursue the image of a finished, immutable workplace. Existing architectural elements, restored furniture, new joinery, books, material samples and artworks are deliberately allowed to coexist.

This approach leaves space for the office to change as the practice develops. Objects and references can accumulate, work can occupy the walls, and individual areas can adapt to new routines without requiring substantial alterations to the apartment.

Through a limited number of interventions, the Local Local workplace demonstrates how an ordinary residential interior can acquire a new function while retaining its previous character. Rather than erasing the apartment, the design uses its existing features as the framework for a workplace shaped by collaboration, material research and gradual occupation.

Subtle prisms

The project is a new flagship store for renowned jeweller, Nikos Koulis, located on the prestigious Voukourestiou Street in Athens. The store’s design takes its inspiration from the city and melds it with the intricate craftsmanship of Koulis’ jewellery pieces.

 

Façade Design

The design of this atmospheric space begins streetside, taking the simple facade of the 1960’s building and subverting the language of a typically over-glazed storefront. An irregularly shaped window is installed, which offers subtle glimpses of the interior -creating intrigue for passersby and inviting them to pause and look within the interior.

Surrounding this opening, the facade mimics the proportions of the nearby Athenian city walls and reproduces them in aluminium. At points, the aluminium is embossed with a pattern reminiscent of the intricate detailing found on 19th century jewellery boxes. Where the aluminium meets the street, the material shifts to solid slabs of travertine and marble, framing the window and merging the contemporary with the ancient -a nod to the Greek roots of the brand and the designer, echoing a sense of history and continuity. The store’s extruded aluminium door handle is folded and inlaid with gold -alluding to the precious materials within.

 

Interior Layout & Custom Structures

Within the interior, the design draws influence from the designer’s structured jewellery pieces -establishing an interplay between light and dark tones and smooth and textural surfaces. Silk wall coverings provide a soft sensuous finish to reflect the light and contrast strongly with the custom dark oak floor made from narrow linear planks brushed to give texture. At the rear of the store, a dramatic new staircase, hidden behind a series of bevelled glass panels, takes private clients up to a new mezzanine housing the high jewellery salon and viewing room. The staircase extends across the width of the store, leaving a theatrical double-height void between the threshold and the mezzanine itself.

The main mezzanine wall, which sits almost as an internal facade, is formed from a series of elongated prisms. The prisms consist of two highly polished metal surfaces and a third illuminated surface. Spaced to form a linear screen between the more private mezzanine area and the store beneath, the prisms wrap around the underside of the space to connect the two environments.

 

Materials & Furniture

Within the mezzanine space, the palette is pale and bright, with white carpet and soft furnishings that foster relaxation. From the street, these prisms and their light sources are seen through the stone-framed window, appearing as an illuminated curtain, creating a sense of mystery about what lies beyond it.

Preserving the bespoke nature and the imaginative essence of the brand, the store incorporates custom pieces produced with the specific needs of the client and space in mind, including a tea table, a desk mirror as well as a wall hung mirror by Nikos Koulis. Display cases are formed from lacquered wooden boxes set on delicate legs made from a mix of polished and matt metals. These cases are positioned in vertical and horizontal arrangements and placed carefully around the store. At the rear, a lacquered cabinet wraps a structural column, whilst in the store front the largest piece of cabinetry forms the window display.

Home aesthetic

The design direction of this pie bakery dine-in café follows the sense of a home-like aesthetic. It serves as a tribute to the co-founder’s residence, which was the original space in which the pies were made.

 

Façade Design

The façade was completely remodeled, seamlessly incorporating the existing nooks and openings to create a cohesive and inviting exterior. A distinctive feature is the creation of an exterior “pocket” next to the entrance, which adds a unique architectural element and enhances the welcoming atmosphere. This thoughtful design invites guests to step inside and experience a sense of warmth and hospitality.

 

Interior Layout

Inside, the space is organized into various seating zones: the living area provides a relaxed environment with comfortable sofas and armchairs, the dining area, with its elegant tables and chairs, caters to those who prefer a more formal setting for enjoying their pies and finally, the lounge area, featuring an array of bespoke and cozy furniture, offers a tranquil space for guests to unwind and savor their desserts in a more intimate setting.

 

Material Selection

The color palette uses off-white tones and soft textures completed with dark wood accents. Soft lighting, warm colors, and thoughtful decor elements turn every corner into an inviting and cozy space, suited for enjoying a gustatory experience.

Slow luxury

The residence is located in the serene part of Delhi, far removed from the city’s bustling center. Drawing inspiration from slow and artful living, the space was designed to encapsulate luxury as well as foster a profound connection with nature.

 

Design Philosophy

Through a series of discrete modifications, the design seamlessly integrates new and existing areas with minimal intervention to the residence’s structure. The layout prioritizes the creation of spaces for social interaction and entertainment. From thoughtfully designed nooks to inviting entertainment areas, every aspect of the space has been curated to encourage meaningful interactions and engaging conversations. The project’s approach abandons conventional luxury and embraces the concept of ‘slow luxury.’ Aesthetically, this is a crossover between the quintessential Italian and French influences found in the choice of furniture and the subtle infusion of Indian and Japanese influence through carefully curated artworks.

 

Interior Layout & Materials

Sculptural lighting and versatile furnishings along with an innovative lime-wash technique are used throughout the space. The master bedroom features panoramic views framed by large windows as well as rustic stone walls that complement the selection of refined furniture. The lounge and formal dining room are designed with great attention to detail and functionality. At the center of the communal space, a magnificent eucalyptus log is used as bar stands, finished with the Japanese burning technique known as Shou Sugi Ban. Adjacent to the bar, parts of the plaster are demolished, exposing sections of the brick wall, and adding a rugged elegance to the overall space. Artwork is thoughtfully positioned throughout the residence along with an array of vases and planters that serve both as functional vessels and captivating sculptures.

 

Landscape Design

One of the property’s standout features is its magnificent old trees, which served as a source of inspiration during the design process. The landscape design incorporates natural elements and embraces the property’s unique surroundings, serving as a testament to its natural beauty. The carefully laid paths have a natural and organic feel that define different spaces around a green-tiled pool. Thoughtfully chosen outdoor furniture and unique handmade clay planters, doubling as sculptures, offer an additional touch of slow luxury.

Enclosed Courtyard

The two-story “Π” shaped house is intentionally positioned on the plot, creating a central outdoor space with an eastern orientation and ensuring that all interior spaces have direct access to the garden, the green area and swimming pool. The building’s placement enhances the natural ventilation and lighting and emphasizes its relationship with the central courtyard.

 

Designing in relation to the street

The ground floor volume, situated on the southern side of the plot, provides privacy from the public street. The parallel volume of the first floor, which forms the Π-shape, is positioned towards the rear, giving the illusion, when viewed from the front, of a single-story residence. The horizontal continuous masonry, made of exposed board-formed concrete, is placed along the entire main façade. This creates the sense of an expansive volume facing the street and defines the residence’s main entrance. The parking area is cladded in wood, becoming integrated with the entrance. A passage of vertically planted flowers and metal structures for climbing plants, creates a distinct pathway of greenery towards the main entrance.

 

Functional layout and design

The entrance leads directly to the living and dining areas. The continuity of the exterior cladding material into the interior spaces resembles a wooden box and imparts a sense of enclosure, particularly in the areas housing the services and office. A set of sliding wooden doors that create a feeling of playfulness, alternately integrate or isolate the office space with the dining area. Using consistent materials and structures, the living room is extended further out to the exterior space.

 

Structure morphology

The continuous concrete and black marble furniture and ceramic flooring, create a smooth transition between inside and outside, unifying both the function as well as the feel of the space. The impressive 9m canopy of the master bedroom located on the first floor, shelters the outdoor garden lounge, further enhancing the continuity of this “functional” axis that leads to the protected terrace. The outdoor barbecue seamlessly expands the kitchen area to the sheltered outdoor living space, extending its functionality and creating an additional outdoor dining area around the central courtyard and pool.

The staircase’s first couple of steps are built-in, serving as a continuation for the built-in living room sofa and establishing a sense of cohesion within the space. The rest of the steps are made of a metal frame and oak wood, while glass panels act as a protective railing, contributing to the structure’s lightweight appearance.

The first floor accommodates three bedrooms, with two sharing a bathroom, while the master bedroom has views of the pool and garden, complete with en suite facilities and a separate wardrobe.