The project concerns the complete renovation of a second-floor apartment with a total area of 110 sq.m., located in a three-storey residential building on Velvendou Street, in the Kypseli district of Athens. The architectural study and renovation design were carried out by architect Takis Proios.

The apartment is part of a residential building dating back to the 1930s, representative of the urban housing typology of the period and characterized by a distinct construction quality. The intervention approaches the existing shell as an active design framework, focusing on the functional reorganization of the interior spaces in order to respond to contemporary living requirements.

The renovation is structured through a clear spatial hierarchy, a redefinition of circulation patterns and a reconfiguration of uses, while preserving the character of the apartment and reinforcing the relationship between private areas and shared living spaces.

The original layout includes a kitchen, a storage room, one bathroom, a WC, three bedrooms, a living room divided into two distinct areas, and a main entrance hall.

The spaces are defined by traditional proportions and quality materials of the period, such as wooden flooring and marble surfaces in the stairwell. The original organization clearly separates private spaces from reception areas and the kitchen, while storage and auxiliary rooms accommodate the functional needs of the residence.

The existing condition provides a solid and valuable base for spatial redesign, respecting materials and proportions, and creating the conditions for a contemporary renovation that enhances everyday functionality and residential comfort.

In the new layout, the interventions focus on the reconfiguration of the bedrooms and shared living areas. One of the bedrooms is converted into a fully functional walk-in wardrobe room, while a primary bedroom is maintained with direct access to this space. A smaller bedroom remains on the opposite side of the apartment.

The main entrance hall functions as a central node, connecting the private areas with the living room and the kitchen. Within the living space, the kitchen is integrated through the use of a perforated glass-block partition, allowing visual continuity, increased natural light, and improved everyday circulation. At the same time, alternative access routes to the kitchen are created without disrupting the primary spatial organization.

Walls are selectively opened and perforated elements are introduced at key points to enhance functionality and reinforce the sense of spatial continuity.

The material strategy aims to highlight the architectural heritage of the apartment while ensuring the timelessness of the interventions. The existing wooden floors (Drino oak) are restored and reinstated throughout all areas. The original wooden window frames are repaired and reintegrated into the contemporary design of the apartment.

The bathrooms undergo complete renovation, maintaining a timeless character through restrained contrasts and subtle patterns. Material selections respond to modern functional requirements while respecting the quality and texture of the apartment’s original elements.

Kypseli is a neighborhood with a significant architectural and urban history. The development of the area began in the 1930s and evolved progressively through the 1960s, resulting in a dense fabric of pre-war and post-war residential buildings. In recent years, the area has experienced a renewed interest in restoration, renovation, and reuse of its existing residential stock.

Within this context, the project seeks to contribute to the ongoing transformation of Kypseli through a careful balance between preservation and contemporary living. The renovation emphasizes functionality, material quality, and spatial clarity, reinterpreting the architectural identity of the area through a contemporary lens.