Architect and Sculptor creates her own living and working space in Athens
Built in 1939 and situated in the very heart of the ancient city of Athens, this spacious 80 m² apartment is the home and working space of an Architect and Sculptor. The space has been renovated entirely by Dimitra Marini & Architects, with great respect to the particular architectural elements of the Art Deco artistic movement that flourished in Athens between 1930 and 1940.
The floors were partly reconstructed and restored to highlight the exceptional herringbone wooden structure in the living and working area and also the light pink color of American oak in the bedroom. The durable and resistant mosaic floor has been replaced were needed and polished by experts creating a reference to the contemporary industrial flooring.
The lighting design is based on the principles of Αrt Deco movement, representing simple, sleek luxury and modern glamour. All of the lighting fixtures in the apartment have been hand-selected from antique shops and from among family heirlooms. Most of the decoration elements are art pieces created by the owner such as the hanging over the sofa coal drawing, the brass bust and the lighting installation over the bookshelves.
The architect’s working table has been custom designed by the Architect and constructed by local craftsman while the wood was carved by a church temple woodcarver!
The kitchen cupboards were partly replaced so that the space preserves the authentic style and in the same time unexpectedly combine all the contemporary needs of a household in a limited area.
The bathroom was carefully designed to maintain all the chromatic and aesthetic elements of Art Deco while combining 7 different tile types, including marble.
The door of the old housekeeper’s sleeping place was replaced by double door cardboard creating a secret, though comfortable and cozy, bedroom.
The old front door was used to replace the main master bedroom’s door giving an outdoor effect to the main corridor of the apartment. Although the apartment is located on the 1st floor of blog of flats in the thick urban web is open to all orientations creating natural ventilation and lighting in each room.
Credits:
Architect.Design & Implementation:
Dimitra Marini
Project Management:
Maria Toulia
Photography:
George Tatakis, & Andreas Markou
DM
