Biennale of young Greek Architects 2012
This is a site north-east orientated, therefore designing a conventional solution would fell poor in direct sunlight. A unique new idea was then born in order to gain as many benefits from the position of the site as possible. The concept was to divide the area in two linear zones and to maintain one of them transparent capturing as much sunlight from the south-west as possible. Athens is a place of intense sunlight and blue skies mostly all year round so using the idea of transparency would bring the outside into the inside and create a bright open environment. Building regulations allowed for a maximum total height of 20m and 300sq.m . Thus, by elavating the building vertically, and taking advantage of the full height, living areas of 5,5m height were created in the transparent zone, and all the other uses, dining, sleeping, circulating, were organised in the second zone. Living areas then are fully glazed to the North and South, being bright all day long, whereas at night they absorb the city lights. The 3 loft apartments, leave space to the eye to move around in all directions, capturing views and perspectives that strech from Gazi area to Kerameikos green park and Lycabettus hill.
The loft apartments take full advantage of the views, the position of the site and the near by ,busy Peireaus Avenue. Triple glazing allow the apartments to be soundly proofed from the traffic but at the same time capture at night the urban view of the cars moving. The building has an intense urban character . The 5 m glazings as well as the materials and colors used, result in a building occupying the urban space with character. One can distinguish each loft from the front view ,by a rectangular yellow steel frame that includes the balconies of the second and third floor loft. Concrete ceilings that have been left untouched, linear grey steel balustrades and yellow details result in a modern building in the middle of the city.