Zinodotou Studio | Georgios Apostolopoulos

A former storage space in central Athens has been converted into a design stu[1]dio, breathing new life in a 1970s building in the neighbourhood of Pagrati. Located at a Lower level than the street, the space occupies a basement where large windows open to the neighbourhood, creating an almost completely trans[1]parent façade that establishes a direct relationship between the interior of the studio and the street. Bespoke steel frame windows and a matching door, were installed in order to create the connection to the street and the local community. Theatre-like cur[1]tains have been used to frame the view from the studio to the street and create a peaceful space inside when they are closed. The interior of the space unfolds in two primary areas that communicate with each other, the main workspace and a meeting space with the Kitchen. The surfaces, in continuity with those of the exterior, also emphasize the rela[1]tionship between the studio and the city, providing a calm and welcoming at[1]mosphere. The continuity between the studio and the street is further accentuated by the access staircase which directly connects to the load bearing walls of the base[1]ment. The staircase becomes an extension of the street, penetrating into the building itself, with a bespoke made metal railing reinforcing it’s character. This project was about more than just making a practical space. It was about creating a place that fits well within the local community.

Photography: Lorenzo Zandri