Architect Eirini Viaropoulou Transforms a Law Office into a Spacious Home in Exarchia, Athens

The project concerns the transformation of a former law office into a contemporary residence, located on a typical floor of an Athenian apartment building in Exarchia. The original layout was characterized by limited access to natural light, with only the northeast- and southwest-facing rooms receiving daylight, while the central zones—kitchen, bathroom, and circulation areas—remained dark and dependent on poorly lit lightwells.

The design brief called for a residence with generous storage, open-plan living spaces, improved natural lighting and ventilation, and the integration of RGB lighting capable of producing atmospheres ranging from calm and intimate to vibrant and social.

Spatial Reconfiguration and Light Strategy

To address these conditions, a significant portion of internal partitions was removed, forming a unified living, dining, and kitchen space.

This open-plan arrangement improves circulation and allows natural light to penetrate deeper into the apartment.

The bathroom was enlarged by incorporating an adjacent storage room but remained relatively dim. To improve lighting conditions, the upper part of the shower wall was opened and fitted with a sound-insulated glass panel, allowing borrowed light from the living area to enter. An integrated RGB LED strip within this element extends dynamic lighting effects into the main living space, enhancing spatial continuity.

Kitchen as a Central Element

The kitchen is organized around a large central island that functions as workspace and storage facing the living area. Appliances, including oven, microwave, and refrigerator, are concealed behind lacquered panels aligned with the walls, maintaining a minimal and unified appearance.

A mosaic backsplash extends laterally and continues into the corridor, visually linking the two zones. Next to the sink, a tall cabinet provides storage and a niche for small appliances while framing an exposed concrete column. This structural element was preserved and emphasized with concealed lighting as a reminder of the apartment’s original state.

Circulation and Secondary Spaces

The corridor was kept open to enhance light penetration. The removal of a low-height loft increased spatial openness.

To accommodate an additional WC, laundry, and storage without disrupting circulation, diagonal partitions define a compact entrance vestibule. Within this layout, a storage room also functions as a cat litter space with a custom-designed door opening.

Reflective wardrobe surfaces along the corridor amplify natural light, while a mint-colored cabinet opposite provides shoe storage.

Material Palette

The bedroom is defined by a softer atmosphere, with pink tones, integrated storage, and a dressing area.

Across the apartment, white walls and cabinetry form a neutral backdrop for more expressive elements.

Rattan panels conceal the air-conditioning unit, while hidden storage maintains visual clarity.

Wooden surfaces introduce warmth, complemented by green cabinetry that adds vibrancy. The bathroom features earthy tones and timber elements, creating a calm, spa-like character.

Lighting and Material Continuity

Lighting design combines ambient, task, and accent strategies. The integration of RGB lighting allows flexible atmospheres for daily life and social use.

The original oak flooring was preserved and refinished, while tiled surfaces define secondary areas.

The project achieves clarity, warmth, and chromatic depth within a contemporary domestic framework, through spatial reorganization and layered lighting.