EXARCHEIA
APARTMENT
Location: Exarheia, Athens Greece
Architect: Konstantin Thorvald Barlas
Team:
Gross surface: --sq.m.
Plot surface: -- sq.m.
Client: Private
Design date: 2023
Completion date: under construction
The study aimed to identify and highlight the distinctive characteristics of a typical Athenian apartment through a design intervention that achieves a harmonious balance of contrasts and uniformity, resulting in a contemporary visual experience.
The design process focused on showcasing the intrinsic value of materials and decorative elements that define the post-war Athenian apartment. These elements often included parquet flooring, ornate plasterwork, intricate rosettes, colorful mosaic-tiled bathrooms, and elegant marble countertops and sinks in the kitchen. The traditional layout of separate rooms for different functions remains deeply ingrained in the collective memory.
In renovating the apartment, our endeavor was to preserve and honor its original features as much as possible.
The most significant transformation involved merging the kitchen with the living room, creating a seamless and cohesive space. Instead of concealing the imprints of the old walls beneath the flooring, we chose to showcase them by adorning them with luxurious marble, allowing the memory of the previous apartment to endure.
Throughout the apartment, wooden flooring was utilized to evoke warmth and a sense of timeless elegance. In the bathroom, the old mosaic floor was replaced with a new one, meticulously selected to enhance the space. The mosaic flooring from the kitchen was skillfully transferred to the walls, adding a touch of artistic flair. The existing sink was carefully restored and retained as a nod to the apartment's history and character.
A soothing, predominantly white color palette was employed for the walls, creating a serene backdrop that complements the overall design.
To infuse a refreshing element, a striking petrol blue hue was chosen for the kitchen furniture and cabinets, lending a modern and vibrant touch to the apartment.
To further enhance the sense of continuity and personalization, cherished objects such as the bedroom light fixture, and potentially the wardrobe, along with carefully selected paintings and frames, were thoughtfully incorporated into the apartment's decor, creating a captivating blend of past and present.