LOCATION YEAR TYPE STATUS SIZE CHALANDRI 2024 RESIDENTIAL ASSIGNMENT 230sqm ATHENS
HEAD ARCHITECT DESIGN TEAM ZAPANTIOTIS FOTIS ZAPANTIOTIS FOTIS AGAPAKI MARIA ZARANI ALEXANDRA
With the residence situated in a loosely structured yet rapidly developing urban fabric, one of the key design challenges was the treatment of the party wall. The party wall is not merely a resulting boundary—it is designed from the outset, defines the core concept, and plays a cohesive role in shaping the final composition of the proposed typology. By forming a strong L-shaped structure, it defines the enclosure within which the architectural solution is articulated.
While the residence, encased within the party wall, appears to “turn its back” to the neighborhood, the very positioning of the building on the plot establishes a unique dialogue with the city. The final composition ultimately functions as an open embrace towards the urban environment.
Different construction systems interact, forming a unified spatial and aesthetic composition. Horizontal slabs without beams and vertical elements coexist with a contemporary interpretation of the archetypal inhabitable “box.” The prismatic shell emerges from the ground with a subtle sense of levitation, articulated within an orthogonal framework of free-standing elements that shape the facades. This contrapuntal relationship is also reflected in the material choices: exposed reinforced concrete elements define the primary structure of the building; while in contrast, the “floating prism” is rendered in white plastered surfaces, enhancing its lightness.
The residence unfolds across four levels (basement, ground floor, first floor, and attic), maintaining cohesion through a structured relationship of base–body–crown. By elevating the dominant volume (body), the ground floor is liberated, creating the illusion of a pilotis (base).
Enclosed living spaces and open outdoor areas coexist at the courtyard level, fostering a meaningful connection and interaction between them. The geometrically defined “floating” volume houses the private sleeping areas, while simultaneously serving as a shelter for the underlying outdoor spaces at the courtyard level.
The residence is completed with a lightweight metal roof (crown), which covers the enclosed attic spaces and extends outward to create a sheltered outdoor living area. The use of the rooftop terrace enhances the residence’s outdoor spaces, introducing new vantage points and an additional level of engagement with the city.
The orientation of the plot and the elongated layout of the architectural solution establish light as a key element in the composition. Large openings and skylights introduce daylight into every part of the residence. A sequence of recesses and protrusions choreographs a continuous interplay of light and shadow, making light an integral part of the spatial experience.
A core compositional tool was the treatment of the entrance and the gradual transition from the public to the private, sheltered space. The deep setback of the ground floor plan from the street alignment creates a threshold of shadow and pause. Light is filtered, guiding movement through reinforced concrete walls through a covered walkway. The progression from bright daylight to the semi-lit passage and the protected entrance atrium influences the visitor’s perception, evoking a sense of shelter, discovery, and intimacy.
Sharp contrasts—rectilinear whole and curved entrance, light and shadow, reinforced concrete and white surfaces—compose a dramatic ensemble that invites exploration of the interior
Photo courtesy © GIORGOS SFAKIANAKIS
Photo courtesy © GIORGOS SFAKIANAKIS
Photo courtesy © GIORGOS SFAKIANAKIS
Photo courtesy © GIORGOS SFAKIANAKIS
