Apartment in Vyronas

A House Around the Kitchen

The 95 sq.m. apartment is located in a typical 1970s apartment building in Vyronas, Athens. The renovation focuses on the aesthetic and functional upgrade of the existing layout, creating a comfortable living environment for its new residents.

The core architectural move is the clear distinction between shared and private areas. The kitchen is relocated next to the open-plan living and dining space, forming an expanded and cohesive living zone that functions as the social heart of the home.

Cooking, as a key daily activity, informs both the positioning and the design of the kitchen. A glazed partition with an integrated bar maintains visual continuity with the living area and, when open, becomes an active spatial element. The bar counter functions simultaneously as a preparation surface and a gathering point, allowing use and interaction from both sides of the partition.

Natural light enters the elongated communal space through three openings leading to the large, planted terrace, where the original mosaic flooring has been preserved.

Throughout the apartment, targeted interventions introduce additional storage and new functions. In the living area, an energy-efficient fireplace and a dedicated workspace with desk and shelving are seamlessly integrated into the overall layout.

Materiality plays a complementary role in the spatial organization. Oak and walnut are used in flooring and custom-designed furniture, Dionysos marble features in the bathroom, while turquoise and terracotta tones appear in tiles and furniture surfaces, creating a calm and balanced atmosphere.

The apartment is conceived as a framework for everyday life, where architecture remains quiet, allowing the residents to appropriate the space and gradually imprint their own character through use and time.