Introduction to the Lycabettus Apartment

Enveloped between the buzzing Exarcheia and Kolonaki neighborhoods, the Lycabettus apartment by Oikonomakis Siampakoulis Architects is a reinterpretation of a 1970s Athenian flat into a contemporary, light-filled living space for two young professionals. At just 85 square meters, the once-partitioned space now unfolds into a unified open-plan, art-filled interior where vintage terrazzo floors meet bespoke installations, and daily rituals—like cooking and art collecting—take center stage. The renovation preserves the soulful elements of the original home while integrating a vivid palette of colors, textures, and forms that reflect a deeply personal and culturally layered domesticity.

hand-crafted marble shelves allow for storage of appliances, cookbooks and artworks | all images by Alina Lefa

The Art Collection and Layout

The clients, both active in the arts and communication fields, came with a clear vision, describing a home that could house their extensive art collection, inherited furniture, and globally sourced design pieces. In response, the Athens-based team of Oikonomakis Siampakoulis Architects curated a layout that allows objects to breathe and interact. By removing the old longitudinal walls of the apartment, the team allowed natural light to penetrate the depth of the plan. A bespoke white metal structure placed at the former wall’s location centers the transformation, marking its history with a sculptural gallery for favorite artworks, framed against an original exposed brick segment.

honey-stained, oak veneered cupboards are designed around the existing airshaft window

Tiled Kitchen Island and Marble Surfaces

A standout feature of the Lycabettus apartment is its tiled kitchen island, with handcrafted marble shelves and integrated nooks; it allows cooking and conversation to flow effortlessly, reflecting the owners’ passion for culinary rituals. Hovering above it, a suspended white metal shelving unit casts playful shadows, mediating the space between kitchen and dining. Behind it, oak-veneered cabinetry—custom fit around airshaft and transom windows that redistribute daylight throughout the space, illuminating the previously dim bathroom and study room.

Material Narrative

From honey-toned oak to Tinos marble, materials are treated as narrative tools in Oikonomakis Siampakoulis Architects’ Lycabettus apartment. Each surface, curve, and cut-out revives overlooked Athenian textures and domestic vernaculars with quiet precision. Custom bathroom tiles by artist Fani Skoulikidi Boukouvala reinforce the idea of art as an everyday presence.

the kitchen island, complete with cupboards and Tinos marble backsplash

circulation into the apartment is transformed through the demolition of the old walls

Conclusion

The result is a home where architecture doesn’t simply frame life—it participates in it, celebrating intimacy, clarity, and a renewed appreciation for the past within a contemporary Greek identity. The Lycabettus apartment by Oikonomakis Siampakoulis Architects is a testament to the power of thoughtful design in transforming a space, not just physically, but also culturally and emotionally. By weaving together the threads of art, history, and daily life, the architects have created a living space that is at once deeply personal and universally relatable.