Federica Scalise transforms 1960s apartment into a minimal, light-filled retreat

In Athens’ Exarcheia district, architect Federica Scalise has reconfigured a 1960s apartment into a calm, light-filled home for a couple in their mid-forties. The design introduces a new axis connecting the apartment’s façades, allowing sunlight to move freely throughout the space. The layout divides the flat into two zones: a private wing with a sleeping-only bedroom and bathrooms, and an open living area. All non-structural walls were removed and replaced with custom sliding partitions, inspired by Japanese shoji screens. These elements blur the boundaries between rooms, allowing for both openness and seclusion while integrating shelving, borrowing light for the internal bathroom, and framing curated internal views. A muted palette of white surfaces and maple wood defines the interiors, contrasting with rough textures reclaimed during demolition. The result is a calm and minimal domestic environment that balances function with understated elegance.