E37 | Ioanna Vlachaki

The renovation of this 60m² apartment in the heart of Athens presented an intricate challenge: how to fully optimize the existing space to accommodate the evolving needs of a large family while maintaining a refined aesthetic and the historic and architectural identity of the apartment. 

A quintessential example of 1960s Athenian architecture, the apartment originally featured a single bedroom, a lofted storage area above the bathroom, a separate kitchen, and an open-plan living and dining area divided by a distinctive sliding glass door. One of its most striking features is the expansive corner balconies with mosaic flooring—an expressive juxtaposition to the compact interior layout. 

The redesign sought to redefine the floor plan with a careful interplay of spatial efficiency and sculptural composition, unlocking the hidden potential of the residence while preserving its unique modernist character. A meticulous approach ensured that the apartment retained key period elements —such as mosaic and solid wood flooring—while integrating contemporary interventions that elevate both functionality and aesthetic integrity.

Upon entry, the open-plan kitchen emerges as the gravitational core of the home. A central island serves as both a focal point and an intuitive orientation device, dictating the flow of movement throughout the residence. Designed to accommodate the demands of a family-oriented lifestyle, the kitchen projects the presence of a much larger culinary space, seamlessly integrated into the overall composition.

Bespoke wooden built-ins sculpturally interconnect various living zones, enhancing spatial continuity. The kitchen counter extends fluidly into the living area, forging a cohesive spatial experience. Curved edges introduce a sense of fluidity, softening the rigid architectural framework and improving circulation.

The removal of interior partitions reveals existing structural elements—columns and beams— preserved in exposed concrete as a deliberate reference to the apartment’s previous configuration. This raw architectural language is juxtaposed against sleek stainless-steel surfaces in the kitchen, fostering a dialogue between the warmth of lacquered wooden cabinetry and the industrial coolness of metal finishes. The result is a timeless balance of materials, proportions, and textures—an elegant synthesis of modernist principles and contemporary industrial design.

Rather than viewing spatial constraints as limitations, the design transforms them into opportunities for innovation. Intelligent storage-integrated partitions dissolve the boundary between private and communal spaces, ensuring adaptability for both present and future needs. The threshold between the living area and the bedroom is articulated as a minimalist sculptural volume—simultaneously a storage unit and a dynamic interplay of recesses and protrusions that enhance depth perception.

The transition into private quarters reveals a meticulously curated monochromatic palette. The master bedroom and wet areas are enveloped in a soft baby blue—a nod to Greek modernism, where blue embodied optimism and progress. Despite their compact footprint, the two bathrooms are conceived as sculptural objects, with built-in structures that discreetly conceal functional elements. The use of small blue mosaic tiles enhances visual continuity, expanding the perception of space and dissolving any sense of limitation. 

This colour scheme establishes an intrinsic connection between the interior and the Athenian light, reinforcing the seamless interplay between built form and natural context. The same tonal approach extends into the bedroom, where monolithic built-ins adhere to the overarching design language, further strengthening the visual unity of the residence.

This project challenges the notion that spatial or budgetary constraints must curtail design ambition. Through rigorous planning and an unwavering commitment to detail, the apartment has been transformed into a home that is both highly functional and architecturally compelling. Every square meter is purposefully activated, yielding a living environment that is fluid, versatile, and deeply considered—an intelligent response to the demands of contemporary urban life.

Construction Atob - Website - www.atob.gr -   IG / estate2be

Artworks: T.Ross & Grace Studio -  IG / t.ross  & IG / forgrace.athens

Ceramics: Erastirion

Photography: Antonis Sarris