Located in the northern suburbs of Athens, this ground floor apartment is part of a three-story family house. Although it was primarily used as a secondary guest house in the past, its beautiful surrounding garden and the potential for a direct connection to it have prompted plans for a radical upgrade.

Due to the complexity of its interior walls and the positioning of its openings, the house had poor illumination and it wasn’t connected to its exterior. As a result, the main objective of the design process was to unite the common living areas, capture as much natural light as possible and create the best possible view of the garden.

Taking into account the existing structural system and plumbing facilities, a central services box was created to organize a circular movement around it, leading toward the more private areas of the house. A couple of sliding doors allow this box to function as either a barrier between the everyday living area and the bedrooms or as an island within the space, depending on the users’ preference.

The intention was to create a cottage-like atmosphere with a neater, more contemporary touch, allowing the house to serve both as a weekend getaway and as a primary residence in the suburbs. In terms of materials, there is extensive use of wood on the floor, the fixed furniture, and the services box, complemented by modest splashes of color, such as the full burgundy kitchen and yellow-toned furniture fabrics.