Wood and Glass Rework Kolonaki Apartment into Workspace
Greek practice Local Local converts a ground-floor apartment in Athens’ Kolonaki neighborhood into its first permanent studio, using light-touch interventions that retain the apartment’s existing architectural character.
The leased space required non-structural changes, so the practice repaired and lightened the original wooden floors, painted the walls white, restored the rippled-glass doors in a darker tone, and retained the arched entrance. The L-shaped plan is organized around a main workspace and a meeting room, which occupies a former bedroom.
Furniture combines existing pieces with custom designs. A solid-cypress table by architect Sofia Xanthakou’s cousin became the starting point for a large co-working table and two window-facing workstations, combining solid wood with Formica. Existing office chairs remain alongside the new pieces.
Books, Lighting, and Marble Define Local Local’s Workspace
Books form another central element of the studio. A Vitsoe shelving system displays Xanthakou’s library, accumulated through her architecture studies and work in Boston and London. Michael Anastassiades ceiling lights illuminate the workspace, while a custom perforated metal frame spanning one wall serves as a pistachio-colored pinboard for collaborative work away from screens.
At the entrance, two site-specific marble sculptures by artist Theodore Psychoyos form a console and seating area. The meeting room retains its original wardrobe, with its doors removed and replaced by roll-up blinds to create open storage for material samples and paperwork. A freestanding Michael Anastassiades light completes the room.
Studio Local Local uses existing architectural elements, reused furniture, custom pieces, and restrained material interventions to create a workplace shaped by the character of the original apartment.
project info:
name: Local Local Athenian Studio
architect: Local Local
location: Athens, Greece
photographer: Lorenzo Zandri | @lorenzozandri
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