Georgios Apostolopoulos transforms 1970s Athens apartment with disappearing rooms

Georgios Apostolopoulos Architects has renovated a 1970s apartment in Kifisia, a northern suburb of Athens, Greece. The apartment is part of the Stroggyli Polykatoikia ('Round Apartment Building'), designed by architect Nikos Despotidis and built between 1973–1974. The original one-bedroom layout was fragmented, with narrow corridors and small rooms lacking natural light. Apostolopoulos removed all partitions to reveal spatial potential and reconfigured the space into a continuous interior. The client's brief required a kitchen, living and dining areas, two bedrooms, one bathroom, and one toilet within a compact floor plan. The design features a main bedroom that extends from the living area, with wardrobes acting as layered filters. A versatile space can serve as dining room, guest room, or study, with joinery hiding a fold-down bed, integrated desk, and storage. When closed, the room appears not to exist. The kitchen is centered as a social device with a large island overlooking the refurbished original fireplace. Slim-frame windows maximize light, and a monochromatic palette with microcement finishes allows the original structure to shine. The joinery was executed by Danelis, with hidden air conditioning. The client desired a calm, cave-like space near a busy road, leading to a fluid, adaptable living concept.