Manis Office transforms a 1970s Athens duplex with bold spatial interventions

Athens-based architecture studio Manis Office has reimagined a two-story apartment in Kaisariani, merging past and present through strategic spatial modifications. Located at the intersection of Formionos and Filolaou streets, the residence occupies the top two floors of a 1970s building, with the entrance and living areas on the 5th-floor corner penthouse and the bedrooms below on the 4th floor. A key transformation involved unifying the living room and kitchen by removing an internal wall—an approach common in Athenian apartment renovations—to create a more fluid and sociable layout. On the lower level, a radical reconfiguration saw the removal of the bathroom wall, introducing an open-plan bathing space that incorporates the staircase and a striking marble countertop sink doubling as a laundry area. Throughout, the architects preserved original features while juxtaposing them with contemporary interventions: the restored elevator door aligns with the entrance, while the stair balustrade interacts with a newly integrated bookcase. The result is a home that balances heritage with modernity, reflecting the evolving nature of urban living in Athens.