Contemporary Modernism: K60 Athens Apartment Renovation by Ioanna Vlachaki.

Designed by architect Ioanna Vlachaki, this clever Athens apartment hinges on a helix configuration. Situated in a typical post-war Athenian building constructed in 1958, the space was reconfigured to enhance existing circulation, organised around an original stairwell. What followed was a redistribution of the living areas paired with repetitive circular custom furniture and deliberate pops of colour.

Maintaining its natural orientation, living spaces were placed on the south-facing facade, taking full advantage of the full-length windows and generous terrace, while the more private areas sit at the back of the building.

In the kitchen, at the tip of the helix, natural light flows through the space from a glass balcony door, reflecting off the original terrazzo floors, marble countertops and metallic details. Functionality was one of the client’s main requests and for the custom-made kitchen island, made from timber and lacquered oval curves, Ionna drew inspiration from Eileen Gray. The multifunctional object, with drawers facing outward to the living area, connects the two spaces in both form and function.

The circular theme of the apartment carries over to the dining area, with a custom-made round lacquered timber dining table with cylindrical legs. Modernist primary colourways rule here with the dining table doused in a bold red paired with a pop of cobalt blue on the built-in bookcase.

Verena Apartment in Athens by Point Supreme.

Awash with a kaleidoscope of materials and finishes, bold colour and partitions define different programmatic spaces in this modest...

Not only a nod to the past, the colour scheme is also inspired by the neighbourhood’s typical shop signs, awash in signature blues and reds. Next door, in a more secluded spot of the apartment, the living room amplifies this feeling with a large blue geometric mural on one wall.

The more private areas, including the master bedroom, operate on the other spectrum, defined by a lack of colour. The studio created a bright, serene environment, with lots of natural light that comes through a balcony door. The boat-like portholes on the cabinet door of the kitchen are now used on the door of the bathroom and bedroom, letting the light through the hallway, diffused through a repeated use of the mottled glass—another link to the building’s 50s heritage.

Seeking to retain the originality of the post-war building within a contemporary context, some walls were demolished, some spaces were remodelled, while others continue original elements. The marble countertops, mosaics, and hardwood floors were preserved, and modernist-inspired, custom-made furniture and fixtures were integrated into the design. The client’s grandfather, Marc Verkest (Konstrukto), a Belgian pioneer of modern architecture, who inspired the whole design process, was honoured by incorporating bespoke handcrafted pieces and details.

Form and Function: Compact Paris Loft by PS Studio.

Modest in budget and scale, this Paris loft offers a peaceful refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city thanks to a clever redesign by PS Studio...

[Images courtesy of Ioanna Vlachaki Studio.]