Divercity Architects: ‘One Athens Apartment Building, currently under construction, is a conversion of a well known 1950s landmark, originally designed by Constantinos Doxiadis, one of the leading figures of modern Greek architecture. Located in the foothills of Mount Lycabettus, the site was also the headquarters of Doxiadis and home to Athen’s technological institute and first computer. One Athens will be a luxury housing complex consisting of 4 multi-storey buildings containing 26 lofts, apartments, duplexes, penthouses, and townhouses.’
‘The key idea is to keep the volume of the original building, where the modular grid, based on the programme of the office building is updated to include three different materials, distinguishing levels of privacy needed for the diverse programme of a housing complex. Private areas are covered in opaque panels of concrete. Translucent concrete is used for the mid-zones- interactive shadows create a theatre of movement by the inhabitation of the space. Glass is used extensively to make the most of the show-stopping views of the Acropolis on one side and of Mount Lycabettus on the other.’
‘The ground floor is dedicated to communal amenities, including a gym and spa, swimming pool and children’s play area. An exhibition space dedicated to Constantinos Doxiadis’ work and the history of the building welcomes the public into the marble-clad atrium. Original features are retained to preserve this iconic landmark, including the fountain that marked the ancient source of the Iridanos river. The apartments retain key existing features such as the exposed ceiling and concrete framework. These are combined with new elements, such as the herringbone wood floor and the minimal window frames, which reference the architectural features of housing complexes of the modern movement of the 50’s and 60’s, and bought up to date with contemporary finishes.’
All Images © One Athens (Nikos Daniilidis)
