proios.office

ASSOCIATED ARCHITECTS

The Brown Apartment

The Brown Apartment, Kypseli, Athens

Studio | Proios Office

Project | The Brown Apartment

Location | Kyspeli, Athens

Year | 2024

Size | 55m²

The Brown Apartment

The project concerns the renovation of a 55 sq.m. apartment located on the third floor of a pre-war residential building from the 1930s, on Fokionos Negri Kypseli. The main design gesture involves the division of the original full-floor apartment into two independent units, each with a clear functional and typological identity. This project focuses on the smaller of the two apartments.

The new layout is organized around a linear corridor that defines and separates the primary functions. The apartment includes one bedroom, a bathroom, and an open-plan living area with a kitchen, connected through a pass-through element that enhances spatial continuity. A sliding door along the corridor improves spatial flexibility and optimizes the overall functionality.

Particular emphasis was placed on preserving and highlighting the existing architectural elements of the shell. Original terrazzo and wooden parquet flooring, along with the internal frames and doors, were carefully restored and integrated into the new design. Positioned on the third floor, the apartment benefits from ample natural light while maintaining a strong connection to the architectural character of the period.

The intervention consists of a complete reconfiguration of the internal layout, aiming to create a contemporary, compact living space with high functionality. The original fragmented arrangement of intermediate rooms was entirely redefined.

The kitchen was repositioned and designed as the main functional core of the apartment, responding to the user’s increased storage requirements. It incorporates extensive storage solutions, both base and wall-mounted, with all appliances fully integrated to maintain a clean and cohesive geometry. The cabinetry is constructed in wood, with references to an industrial aesthetic, balancing warmth with restraint.

Special attention was given to natural ventilation and lighting. The circular window, reinstated in a new position, serves as a key ventilation element while also reinforcing the spatial identity of the kitchen. A large opening further enhances natural light and strengthens the connection with the living area.

The former storage extension was converted into a bathroom, while the original wooden window frames were preserved due to their high construction quality. Additionally, all external elements, including metal railings, shutters, and frames, were restored through cleaning and repainting.

The apartment is designed to address the contemporary housing needs of Kypseli, targeting young residents, students, or couples. Ample storage, clear zoning, and a carefully designed lighting scheme support everyday living, combining functionality with a refined material palette of earthy tones, wood, white, grey, and brown.