Spatial flow

In the center of Athens, a 1930s apartment is redesigned with the aim of creating a contemporary living space, featuring clear organization and respect for its architectural identity.

At the core of the apartment, where the entrance is located, the office is positioned. The new layout enhances the functional clarity of the original floor plan, maintaining a distinct separation between public and private areas while redefining their relationship through visual axes.

The living area has been reorganized into an open-plan kitchen and sitting room. The introduction of double-height gypsum ceiling elements, combined with concealed perimeter lighting, emphasizes the height of the space, highlighting the building’s shell. Within the private zone, a key design gesture is the creation of a curved surface that acts as a transitional element, softening the geometry of an otherwise strictly ordered floor plan and introducing a sense of spatial fluidity.

The intervention was based on the preservation and restoration of the original features, most notably the wooden flooring, which extends throughout the main areas, forming a unified living zone with warm materiality and continuity. The transition to the private quarters is marked by a change in material: a floor with a bold geometric pattern referencing traditional cement tiles is inserted as a filter before the bedrooms. The same flooring continues into the main bathroom, while a dark monolithic vanity unit—serving as a meeting point between the bedrooms, like an open boudoir—creates a clear contrast with the white shell. Meanwhile, the original window frames, as well as the internal double-leaf glazed doors, were preserved, enhancing the flow of natural light. The color palette remains neutral, with an emphasis on natural wood, white surfaces, and selected dark details.