Timeless contemporary living

Located in the heart of Kolonaki, the 115m² apartment renovation reinterprets classical interior architecture through a contemporary spatial narrative. Rather than imposing contrast, the proposal establishes continuity between inherited decorative elements and modern living conditions, preserving ornamental ceiling moldings, wall paneling and symmetrical proportions while introducing a calmer, more minimal architectural vocabulary. The intervention approaches the apartment as a layered spatial composition where historical references and contemporary clarity coexist in balance.

 

Design Philosophy

The project positions itself within a contemporary neo-classical framework, where proportion, material permanence and spatial coherence become the primary design tools. Existing architectural details are neither concealed nor replicated nostalgically; instead, they are carefully reframed within a restrained interior atmosphere that prioritizes rhythm, tactility and long-term relevance over temporary stylistic gestures.

Dark timber wainscoting introduces depth and visual grounding throughout the residence, while curved travertine surfaces soften transitions between spaces and generate sculptural movement within the plan. Herringbone wood flooring reinforces the apartment’s refined domestic character, establishing continuity across the different living zones. Minimal kitchen surfaces and integrated detailing maintain spatial calmness, allowing materials and proportions to define the architectural experience. Artworks and sculptural objects are positioned as integral spatial components rather than decorative additions, contributing to the composition of each room.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The organization of the apartment is defined by flexibility and controlled permeability. Folding partitions composed of metal frames and fluted glass operate as transitional thresholds between the living room, dining area and kitchen. These movable boundaries enable the interior to alternate between openness and privacy without interrupting the continuity of natural light or visual connection.

The spatial arrangement avoids rigid separations, instead supporting changing patterns of everyday habitation through adaptable configurations. Circulation unfolds organically through layered thresholds and framed visual axes, while the interplay between transparency and opacity creates a dynamic relationship between collective and private functions within the residence.

 

 

Material Palette

Materiality functions as the central architectural language of the project. Travertine surfaces, dark wood textures and muted tonal palettes establish a tactile environment rooted in permanence and restraint. The bathroom spaces continue this material dialogue through vertically articulated stone textures and contrasting dark timber cabinetry, maintaining consistency across the apartment’s interior identity.

Furniture selections further reinforce the sculptural quality of the spaces, introducing rounded geometries and soft forms that balance the architectural rigidity of the classical envelope. Lighting is integrated discreetly throughout the project, emphasizing texture, curvature and depth while preserving the calm atmospheric quality of the interiors.

Through a careful negotiation between preservation and reinterpretation, the project proposes a residential environment where contemporary domesticity unfolds within the enduring framework of Athenian neo-classical architecture.

 

Varying context

Located in Ílhavo, Portugal, the project unfolds as a single-storey residence that seeks to reconcile the programmatic requirements with the specific characteristics of the site. The plot is situated within an area that currently remains undeveloped along its periphery, though it is expected to undergo significant residential growth in the near future. Within this transitional context, the residence attempts to establish from the outset a clear relationship between private living and the surrounding landscape.

 

Functional Organization

The decision to resolve the entire program on a single level transforms the outdoor space into an integral component of the architectural composition. The remaining green areas are not treated as residual space, but rather as active elements of everyday habitation and the overall spatial organization of the house.

The arrangement of the volumes gradually defines the spatial hierarchy of the residence. As movement progresses deeper into the site, the spaces acquire an increasing sense of privacy and seclusion. Architecture employs the positioning and geometry of the volumes as tools for organizing daily life, creating a clear transition from the more public to the more protected functions.

 

 

Design Philosophy

The architectural proposal is structured around two distinct volumes, differentiated both formally and functionally in response to the specific content of the program. These volumes are strategically positioned on the site in order to maximize solar exposure, establish controlled relationships with the surroundings and frame the outdoor spaces.

At the same time, the openings and incisions of the façades allow for controlled natural light while reinforcing the continuity between interior and exterior space. In this way, the residence develops a constant visual and functional extension toward the landscape, integrating greenery into the spatial experience of the interior.

 

 

Material Palette

The form and materiality of the project draw reference from the region’s traditional constructions, reinterpreting familiar architectural elements through a contemporary compositional language. Clean volumes, inclined surfaces and a restrained material palette compose an architecture that engages with the local building tradition without resorting to mimicry.

The use of zinc surfaces, natural timber and bright neutral materials throughout the interior reinforces the understated character of the residence, while simultaneously introducing durability and timelessness to the composition. Light is treated as a primary architectural tool, shaping interiors defined by calm atmospheres and subtle variations of illumination throughout the day.

The result is a residence articulated with clarity and economy of means, transforming the relationship between built and unbuilt space into the central core of the architectural experience.

 

Visual transparencies

Located in the vicinity of Jiangsu Province’s famous Lake Tai, the project’s site occupies a space of over 1,000m2. The design visually and spatially connects the interior and exterior spaces of the residence, dissolving all material boundaries.

 

Design Philosophy

The residence has a minimalist architectural aesthetic. By carefully modulating their degrees of transparency, the spaces are both individually defined as well as collectively interconnected. This is achieved through the creation of design elements in varied proportions as well as a wide selection of materials. Varying window heights create distinct relationships with the exterior courtyard.

 

Interior Layout

The considered modulations of the interior layout create a continuous, uninterrupted sequence of views of the courtyard. A descending, exterior staircase connects the courtyard with the basement, where a second spiral, marble staircase leads back up to the first floor’s main hall. On the ground floor, the living room is organized as an expansive open-plan space with minimalist floor-to-ceiling windows that add a sense of transparency between the indoor and outdoor areas. The custom-designed recessed light creates a unique visual effect in the overhead structure. It provides direction to this longitudinal room, indicating the route to the adjacent spaces. Finally, a narrow corridor opens up to the dining room space, which is imbued with natural light.

 

Material Palette

The natural material selection aims to construct a cohesive visual result, further enhancing the sense of architectural flow within the space. The warm tones and wood textures give the large open space an aura of elegance. A tall, curved wall cladded in timber encloses the sitting area, while a series of dark wood veneer panels create a sense of spatial enclosure throughout the space.

Staging Illumination

The project features a 250 m2 contemporary clothing showroom. The overall ambition for the space was to surpass the conventional store concept and instead create an “Instagram-worthy” stage for online content creation.

 

Design Philosophy

The key concept was to create a harmonious interplay between lighting and volume. A series of lighting effects enhance the horizontal and vertical surfaces, ensuring uniformity and visual continuity within the space. Each function is accentuated through tailored lighting strategies. Distinct emphasis is placed on the changing room lighting, transforming them into a “stage” appropriate for filming. A white curtain wall serves as a backdrop for displaying the latest clothing collections, placed on thin metallic racks. Controlled natural daylight is used in conjunction with warm uplighting to achieve a smooth gradient effect.

 

Design Layout and Materials

Curved minimal lines form intermediate vaults that alternate between dividing the space into functional zones and creating voids for clothing displays. The space has a minimalist aesthetic, painted in off-white and warm hues, and cladded with natural material finishes. Curtains are used as dividers to counteract the existing low ceiling height and serve as accent elements throughout the space.

 

Lighting Design

The lighting design has been carried out by CK design Lighting and plays a pivotal role in the showroom’s design. Key lighting fixtures include adjustable spotlights on minimal ceiling-mounted tracks to illuminate the clothing displays. Concealed lighting is integrated into furniture pieces such as tables, shelves, mirrors, and the reception desk to soften the overall lighting scheme. Floor-recessed linear uplighters are used to illuminate the large openings, creating a gradient effect that serves as a backdrop for the showroom. Decorative white pendant balls are placed above the working counters, providing diffused light. The lighting color and temperature compliment the neutral color scheme of the space. Their anti-glare features and high Color Rendering Index accurately illuminate the clothes and accessories, while providing the appropriate lighting for photography and filming.