Trace | Residential Retrofit in London

Konstantinos — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 05:31:05 +0000

This article by Konstantinos was published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications.

Radical material reuse

Trace is a transformative deep retrofit residential project located on Drummond Street in Euston, London, designed by Bureau de Change for HGG London. The scheme reinterprets a four-storey brick building from the 1980s, extending it with two additional levels and accommodating five contemporary, light-filled apartments, while preserving and repurposing the majority of the existing structure.

Circular Economy Principles

At the core of the project lies a rigorous commitment to circular economy principles. Rather than opting for demolition and reconstruction, the design retains the original foundations, primary structure and defining architectural elements, including the characteristic archway, thus conserving the embodied carbon of the site. A key innovation is the development of a site-specific glass reinforced concrete (GRC) composite for the façade, incorporating materials harvested directly from the existing building.

The original mid-brown bricks are crushed and reused as visible aggregate, forming a new textured cladding that reconstitutes the building envelope. This process generates a materially expressive façade that both preserves and reinterprets the building’s history, allowing traces of the past to remain legible within a contemporary architectural language.

Design Philosophy

The architectural language draws from the layered historical context of Drummond Street and Tolmer’s Square, referencing Georgian urban typologies, the legacy of Euston Station, and successive phases of 20th-century redevelopment. The façade composition is informed by Georgian proportions, rustication, and articulated arches, reinterpreted through a contemporary construction system.

Organized within a rational grid, the openings reinterpret traditional segmental arches, enabling larger window apertures that enhance daylight penetration, cross-ventilation, and spatial quality. The inclusion of winter gardens at the rear further extends the living spaces, establishing a dynamic relationship between interior and exterior environments.

Layout & Urban Integration

The completed development comprises three two-bedroom apartments across the lower levels and two one-bedroom units on the newly added upper floors, each offering skyline views and access to outdoor terraces. The internal layouts are structured around double-aspect living spaces arranged in a stepped configuration, subtly organizing kitchen, dining, and living areas without rigid partitioning.

Aligned with the ambitions of the Euston Area Plan, the project promotes sustainable urban intensification while enhancing the character of the surrounding area. By demonstrating how existing structures can be elevated through adaptive reuse and material innovation, Trace positions itself as a model for low-carbon residential development within the contemporary city.

The post Trace | Residential Retrofit in London was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

Ellinikon Experience Park at Elliniko

Konstantinos — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 05:31:27 +0000

This article by Konstantinos was published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications.

Environmental symbiosis

The new park at the Elliniko airport site offers a glimpse into the envisioned lifestyle of the Athenian Riviera. With the city’s seafront in view, the park showcases a harmonious blend of ecological management and social planning.

Design Philosophy

At the heart of the Experience Park lies the concept of symbiosis, i.e., fulfilling the needs of both humans and nature. This approach ensures that both “worlds” remain healthy and mutually supportive within a framework of harmonious coexistence, safeguarding the planet’s future well-being. The park’s design and implementation are guided by principles of ecology, biophilia, and human-centered design.

Morphological Characteristics

The park is open and accessible to all, featuring spaces suitable for all ages, along with geometries that foster human contact. The 75-acre project includes over 500 trees and 50,000 plants, four public squares as well as four different green areas.

The design of the park meticulously preserves the airport’s natural and built elements, creating a dialogic framework that highlights and reveals its distinct features. The project’s uniqueness is evident in its soil management, which is preserved and enriched to enhance fertility. Additionally, existing plants and trees are retained and supplemented with native species, showcasing the beauty of Attica’s nature.

The existing floors are extensively preserved and carefully restored. The removed pieces are reused and transformed into sculptural configurations that accommodate the use of temporary outdoor seating.

Sustainability Approach

Small, new buildings are constructed from lightweight and eco-friendly materials, thus reducing carbon emissions from the park’s construction. Landmarks such as a distinct water feature and a playground designed in collaboration with a toy manufacturer -following the latest approaches to experiential learning- become new park attractions.

The project is proactively preparing for climate change by aiming to reduce carbon emissions during the park’s construction through extensive reuse of materials. Finally, it ensures that the entire park remains functional even in a warmer climate.

The post Ellinikon Experience Park at Elliniko was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

material reuse Archives | ek magazine | Architectural Publications

Trace | Residential Retrofit in London

Radical material reuse

Ellinikon Experience Park at Elliniko

Environmental symbiosis