Apartment Renovation in Plaka, Athens | Evelyn Chatzigoula

At Plaka, one of the oldest residential neighbourhoods of Athens, at 9 Lempesi str, an apartment is being redesigned and renovated, by EC Interiors, creating a space where modern architecture and traditional materials and references from the old Athenian houses meet. The apartment is located on the first floor of a typical modernist “polukatoikia” (apartment block), in a vibrant neighbourhood next to Acropolis Rock and the Museum.

The house is being fully renovated, with extensive changes of the interior spaces. The new plan comprises of a large main open space for the everyday activities, which is bordered by the rest of the facilities, thus providing a far more functional and a quality space for living.

The apartment is being comprised of an open space for the living room and the kitchen, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. All interior spaces have access to the balcony and the exterior, providing the necessary connection with outdoors and the neighborhood.

Both colors and materials are chosen of the renovation with respect to traditional simple Athenian houses and their memories, drawing inspiration from them and their morphological elements and incorporating them into the final project.

A palette of earthly tones and materials is being used into the interior of the house, blending with a modern approach in design. In the central open space of daily activities, the light terracotta color of the ceiling is combined with matte white walls and large ceramic tiles on the floor. A claustra made from ceramic triangular tiles, acts as a space divider, both separating the living room from the kitchen and also allowing an optical communication between them.

The long wall next to the entrance is being covered with old bricks, which have been collected from construction yards and are being reused. The furniture follows a simple clean cut design with clear lines and light colors like white, light grey, green with natural wood, allows for a warm feeling for the residents.

The two bedrooms, one master and a second for children, can function separately, something that is reflected in their form with the materials and the colors used, distinguishing them from the rest of the house. The use of wood for the floors and the furniture, as well as the soft colors, creates an atmosphere of warmth and comfort. The two bathrooms, one for the master bedroom and the other functioning as the common bathroom, follow a similar design approach, with the use of different ceramic tiles, colors and patterns.

Finally, the wooden doors throughout the apartment and the black metallic details on the fixtures, handles, faucets and other equipment in the house emphasize the common approach and aesthetics. This creates a modern residence with new references to the memories of the old and past neighborhood.