Georgios Apostolopoulos Architects has reimagined a Kifisia apartment where every wall is treated as optional, converting a 1970s neighborhood into a flexible living environment. Located in a 1970s circular modernist block in Athens, this 80-square-meter apartment, once a neglected psychiatrist’s office, is now a thoughtfully redesigned space.
The renovation began with a bold step: stripping the interior to its bones, much like a similar project by Oikonomakis Siampakoulis. Every partition was removed, exposing the original form before introducing new elements, leaving behind a versatile, open space defined by custom joinery. This approach was central to revamping the area into a modern, adaptable living area.
The Heart of the Home: Crafting a Multi-functional Kitchen
At the core of this transformed apartment lies a curved kitchen island that integrates all necessary appliances. This central piece isn’t just a functional element; it’s a hub for cooking, working, and social interaction, with the freedom to engage from any side. Modernizing the space into a contemporary setting, the surrounding furniture is equally flexible, allowing for daily reconfiguration based on needs.
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The design extends into the bedroom, cleverly concealed by units housing wardrobes and utilities, allowing the space to either open up or close off entirely. This adaptability, according to Apostolopoulos, aims to create a home that evolves with whoever resides in it, an essential transformation of the area.
Integrated Living with Discreet Utility Areas
A compact vanity flanked by mirrored doors cleverly hides a shower room and separate WC, maximizing previously underutilized spaces. This approach is reminiscent of Nikos Kouklakis’s work, where functionality is built into custom furniture, elegantly merging kitchen and storage elements into a unified whole, thus modernizing the interiors.
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Instead of a distinct second bedroom, Apostolopoulos introduces a space that morphs effortlessly. It includes a fold-down bed and a drop-down desk, turning the area into a bedroom, office, dining room, or an extension of the living area as needed, with sliding doors providing privacy when required.
Materials Respecting the Building’s Essence
The renovation strategy focused on restrained material selection. Microcement flooring and matching tones for walls and joinery maintain the architecture’s integrity, updating the aesthetic while preserving its unique style. A modern bio-ethanol fireplace pays homage to the apartment’s past. Apostolopoulos’s architectural expertise from London, Oxford, and Plymouth is evident in the thoughtful, system-based design rather than mere decorative updates.
This apartment, while maintaining the same external appearance, hides an intricate system of adaptable spaces, representing a quiet revolution in living design. Georgios Apostolopoulos Architects demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform a static space into a dynamic home, redefining the experience of living in a versatile and modern environment.
Source: urdesignmag.com
Frequently asked questions
How has the Kifisia apartment been transformed?
Georgios Apostolopoulos Architects reimagined the 80-square-meter Kifisia apartment by stripping the interior down to its bones, removing all partitions, and creating an open, versatile space defined by custom joinery. This transformation turned the once neglected psychiatrist’s office into a modern, adaptable living area.
What is a key feature of the apartment’s kitchen?
A key feature of the apartment’s kitchen is the curved kitchen island that integrates all necessary appliances. It serves as a hub for cooking, working, and social interaction, allowing engagement from any side and contributing to the flexible nature of the space.
How is flexibility incorporated into the bedroom design?
The design of the bedroom includes units that house wardrobes and utilities, allowing the space to open up or close off entirely. This adaptability aims to create a home that evolves with whoever resides in it.