natalia bazaiou encases nature in glass as central element in greek apartment

architect natalia bazaiou renovated a late ‘70’s apartment, located in a suburb of athens, greece. the residence was originally dark and arranged into small spaces, but after a family of four moved in, the architect remodeled the interiors to meet the family’s modern yet playful needs. the transformed living area includes open green spaces and transparency, for a pervading spirit of playfulness and a relaxed sense of flow between the different uses of space. the apartment’s planning defies traditional limitations and space allocation trends. 

natalia bazaiou made plants, trees and soil the focal point around which the apartment unravels. constitutive elements of the identity of the greek landscape, both natural and man-made, come into play to determine the organization, form and function of the apartment’s spaces. the sculptural simplicity of the design of space and volume matches the emergence of vital open-air and semi-open-air areas as spaces to be lived in and experienced. the connection and interplay between those spaces result in the optimal use of natural light, whether direct or diffused, and of its range of hues, filtered through green zones and glass screens. 

various textures shape the character and atmosphere of the apartment. while some materials belong to the old structure, others were reworked into the fabric of the remodel or new ones and put together in situ. or others still, carrying stories and alive with the narratives of their use in previous contexts. the contrast of raw materials such as wooden furniture and a polished concrete floor, against the lively greenery found inside the glass, adds to a dynamic material palette. 

project info:

design: natalia bazaiou

location: agia paraskevi, athens, greece

completion date: 2018

photography: cathy cunliffe

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: cristina gomez | designboom