Neoclassical residence renovation in Acropolis area by Anastasia G. Filippeou

Built in the 1930’s, the existing residence in its original configuration comprised of a basement and an elevated ground floor and was surrounded by a garden. Lacking heavy neoclassical ornamentation, the front façade exhibited vestiges of neoclassical architecture and Art Deco metal gates.

As far as the architecture is concerned, there was no intention to disrupt the style of the facades. On the contrary, the design proposal aimed at enhancing the existing neoclassical composition of the facades by adding elements that were considered as missing, while maintaining the characteristic simplicity of the original expression. The base strip of the building was dressed in a brushed grey marble, as was traditionally the case in neoclassical facades and on the elevated ground floor part of the façade, the horizontal consecutive wall shadow gaps were replicated. Chamfered-edge solid marble frames emphasize the three most dominant façade openings.

This residence was to accommodate a contemporary family, following the addition of a floor and the radical renovation of the existing ones. In consistency with the architecture of the facades, the design approach of the interior also aimed at a contemporary, elegant aesthetic with clear references to the Athenian neoclassical residence of the 1930’s. The interior anatomy was maintained intact and was repeated on the new first floor, while the open well staircase now connects all floors continuously from basement to the roof top. Vertical steel elements have replaced the traditional balustrade of a staircase and support the solid marble steps. In the main living spaces and the bedrooms, an oak wood floor succeeds the white marble floors of the entrance hall. At ground floor level, the pattern of the former gypsum vestibule ceiling was carved out of an oak wood surface and still makes part of the interior architecture. In the remaining spaces, the rough textured grey ceilings made of a granite powder coating create the impression of a sculpted stone surface and their pronounced carved-edge pays tribute to the old ceiling design. The bathroom walls also exhibit white marble mosaic surfaces in the style of the popular techniques of that period.

Finally, the back-garden design was inspired by the courtyards of the early twentieth century urban residences and the surviving orange trees and additional planting were surrounded by marble paving blocks. Without excess, regarding both its aesthetic and its scale, this residence has been designed to satisfy the needs of the contemporary family, but also to respect the urban scale of the Athenian capital.