Up There

A calm urban retreat in Athens, where light and natural materials shape a serene duplex home.

Year

2018

Location

Aigaleo

Photographer

Alina Lefa

Status

Completed

The owners’ desire for a quiet and comfortable interior, detached from the diversity of the surrounding urban fabric, became the guiding principle of the design. A shell of light elements wraps around the two upper floors, acting as a filter. On the third floor, it encloses the terrace, creating a protected environment shielded from surrounding views while maintaining the sense of openness to the outdoors. On the second floor, these same elements replace the railings and side panels.

Inside, the living area is organized around a functional strip running parallel to the party wall and the rear façade. Along this strip, all functional components are placed—the fireplace, the staircase, a seating corner, and the kitchen counter—leaving the rest of the space open and flexible.

The use of natural materials such as wood, polished cement, and reed panels reinforces the atmosphere of calm and comfort. Their tactile quality evokes the feeling of a retreat, making the home warm and familiar despite its urban setting.

The project  therefore focused on multiple living scenarios, with the aim to fit different identities, needs and habits.

The materials that have been used are soft and dissimilar from the rest of the frame.