Apollonion Residences | GRUPPO DECORATIVO INTERIOR DESIGN

This residence was designed in the historic settlement ''Apollonios'', the last work of the architect and urban planner Konstantinos Doxiadis. It is the largest of a total of 5 new houses designed in the northwestern part of the settlement and is a new construction.
This settlement is located on the east coast of Attica, in the bay of Porto Rafti and started to be planned in 1969. Doxiadis' idea was to apply his theory of how the ancient Greeks placed their buildings in the landscape. The architect's goal was to create a modern architectural ensemble, designed on a human scale and in perfect harmony with its surroundings. The complex has two private entrances for residents and consists of private residences, an open-air amphitheatre, a Byzantine-style church and a large network of pedestrian walkways and green spaces.
The main design consideration for the residence was initially to highlight the architectural elements that characterize the settlement, as well as to create a modern structure that will meet the modern needs of the user both aesthetically and functionally. In other words, the goal was to build a modern residence that would reflect the aesthetics of our time but at the same time would be a sturdy stone construction that would stand the test of time.
This residence is intended for private use by a client to house her and her family as well as guests, and will be used primarily during the summer months. The client was actively involved throughout the design process. What was requested was that the structure be characterized by minimalist design, clean and simple lines, and be free of unnecessary decorative elements. The colour palette is in earthy tones with the exception of some strong colour interventions which are integrated in order to create contrasts in the space. With respect to Doxiadis' original design, materials such as stone and exposed concrete have been used which are combined with other materials such as wood, pressed cement mortar, curtain wall, metal and crystal.
The house is developed on three levels. Due to the steep slope of the ground, the surrounding space is also scaled, resulting in uneven levels on the northeast and southwest elevations of the building. The main entrance is located on the upper level where the living room, kitchen, dining room, a guest room , a bathroom, and an office (special requirement of the client) are located. A special feature of this level is the balcony that runs the entire length of the southwestern facade offering plenty of natural light and impressive views. Through an internal staircase, we reach the immediate lower level which consists of a gym, bathrooms and three bedrooms, the largest of which has access to an outdoor area with a Jacuzzi. On the lower level is another guest room and utility rooms. Large fixed openings throughout both the top level and the master bedroom allow unobstructed views of nature and give the user the feeling of being outdoors. For this reason, the house has been framed with lots of planting on all levels.
The main purpose and the effect we wanted to achieve was, through the design of the spaces and the choice of materials, to create a sense of calm and relaxation for the user who will be in direct contact with nature and in harmony with it.