A typical apartment in Athens’ Kypseli neighborhood has been renovated by local studio Outline Practice, transforming the home for a young couple while preserving the character of the original polykatoikia. Instead of starting from scratch, the architects worked with what was already there, keeping the apartment’s original layout, restoring its materials and introducing a series of carefully considered interventions. The existing sequence of rooms remains largely unchanged, avoiding the open-plan approach often seen in similar renovations. The main changes are focused on the kitchen and bathroom, where the needs of contemporary living called for a new way of organizing the spaces. The kitchen stays in its original position but now feels more connected to the rest of the home. A large opening links it to the living room, while an extended worktop creates an island that naturally becomes a place to gather. A second widened opening towards the entrance hall brings the kitchen into view as soon as you enter the apartment, making it part of everyday life instead of hiding it away. Throughout the home, enlarged openings and lacquered door frames create clear views between rooms while preserving the apartment’s original rhythm. The bedrooms required only minimal changes, with custom oak wardrobes designed to match the existing timber details. The renovation also celebrates the apartment’s original materials. The oak herringbone parquet was restored, while terrazzo flooring hidden beneath ceramic tiles was uncovered and brought back into use. New additions, including red travertine, stainless steel, marble and painted timber, sit comfortably alongside the existing finishes, giving the apartment a fresh identity without losing its history. Furniture, lighting and artworks were selected as part of the overall design, adding warmth and personality to the restrained material palette. With this renovation, Outline Practice shows how small, thoughtful interventions can give an older apartment a new life while respecting the qualities that made it worth preserving in the first place.
Outline Practice updates kYPSELI apartment while preserving its mid-century character
