1970s building in athens turns into monochromatic moden café by georgios apostolopoulos

Georgios Apostolopoulos designs café in 1970s Athens building

Located in the neighbourhood of Pagrati in central Athens, Moden Café by Georgios Apostolopoulos Architects occupies a ground-floor space within a 1970s building. Named after the original pastry workshop just a few doors down, the café pays homage to its roots while embracing a contemporary design ethos. The space has been created to celebrate the artistry of pastries and the ritual of coffee making. The design fosters warmth and calmness, focusing on integrating the café with the neighbourhood. Bespoke elements, crafted from scratch, contribute to creating an inviting environment for the visitors. The aesthetic is defined by clean lines and neutral tones, a monochromatic overall atmosphere.

all images by Lorenzo Zandri

Custom Interior and Open Facade Define Moden Café’s Space

Textured floors and walls aim to recall the sense of dough and flour, bringing warmth and a sense of familiarity to the interior. The design team at Georgios Apostolopoulos Architects crafts bespoke inox and oak benches and seating to showcase the products. At the center of the space, the kitchen and bar form a central focal point of Moden Café, designed as an open stage where pastry serving and coffee making become a performance, celebrating craftmanship through transparency. Seating is arranged around the perimeter, with benches lining three sides of the rectangular layout, drawing attention inward and encouraging interaction. A fully open, custom-made facade blurs the line between the interior and exterior, filling the space with natural light and connecting it to the cityscape. The design, natural light, and materials come together to create a peaceful atmosphere. Every detail is crafted to foster simplicity, offering a serene setting.

ground-floor café nestled in a 1970s Athenian building

a contemporary space rooted in local pastry heritage

designed to honor the rituals of coffee and pastry

clean lines and neutral tones define the interior

open-plan design turns coffee-making into performance

transparency highlights craft and process

a fully open facade merges street and interior

natural light floods the space through the glass frontage

architecture integrates the café with the neighborhood

oak textures soften the stainless steel elements

every bespoke element is crafted from scratch

textured walls evoke flour and dough

custom inox and oak furniture showcase the café’s offerings

kitchen and bar form the heart of the space

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elevation

axonometric

axonometric detail

orthographic view

plan

model

project info:

name: Moden Athens | @moden.ath
architect: Georgios Apostolopoulos Architects | @georgios__apostolopoulos

location: Athens, Greece

photographer: Lorenzo Zandri | @lorenzozandri

artwork: Alexia Psaradeli | @psaradelialexia

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom