Ioanna Vlachaki renovates 1960s Athens apartment with industrial accents

Athens-based architect Ioanna Vlachaki has renovated a 90-square-metre apartment in a 1960s residential building, creating a contemporary home that remains closely connected to its original character. Located on the top floor between Victoria, Amerikis Square and Kypseli, the project preserves existing features such as the timber floors, terrazzo surfaces and balconies. These are paired with a restrained palette of stainless steel, painted metal, Dionysos marble and soft off-white finishes. The layout was redesigned to clearly separate the living and sleeping areas. The open-plan kitchen, dining and living space now opens onto a generous west-facing terrace, bringing more light into the home. A stainless-steel and timber kitchen island becomes the centrepiece of the interior, while custom furniture, including a blue sheet-metal shelving unit and a monolithic dining table, is treated as part of the architecture rather than standalone objects. Concealed joinery and carefully detailed finishes create a calm and cohesive atmosphere throughout. By combining restored original elements with precise contemporary interventions, the renovation offers a fresh interpretation of everyday Athenian living.