| A RENOVATION OF AN EXISTING APARTMENT |
The existing studio apartment to be renovated was uninhabited for several years and required major renovation works. It consisted mainly of two thin rectangular areas separated by a dividing wall, which also blocked out a lot of the light from the existing balconies. The small width of the rooms gave a claustrophobic feel to the apartment.
The great challenge of this renovation project was to create ample space within a small apartment of 60 square meters, making it both functional, practical and yet harmonious. The demolition of the existing dividing wall was a prerequisite in order to create more space and increase the amount of natural light. The small area of the apartment required smart solutions and the utilisation of each available square meter.
Visitors to the apartment will first encounter the distinctive, specially designed front door, making them immediately realise that this is not an ordinary apartment. Entering the apartment, what first strikes you is the amount of natural light and its spaciousness. The central areas of the apartment are in an open plan configuration. The living room and the dining room with large balcony doors have direct access to the stunning balcony overlooking the sea.
For the interior, a white palette in combination with cool grey and blue colours were selected. Minimal decoration was used in order to make the space look bigger. Few, well-chosen decorative objects were placed to make the place more inviting and to assist towards the perception of space.
The multifunctional space of such an apartment, creates a number of challenges with regards lighting proposals. A variety of activities are undertaken in the living room, such as the gathering of people, dining, talking, reading, listening to music or watching TV. Therefore, for each activity, various lighting scenarios were studied, and the result was a combination of hanging lights, spotlights and hidden lighting which could all be utilised separately depending on the activity taking place. The bedroom is an area of relaxation, where ambient lighting is selected with hanging lamps placed on either side of the bed.
The apartment was designed with the sole purpose of being inhabited by the owner. Currently the apartment is rented through Airbnb and it is fully equipped and furnished. Even though it does not have specific inhabitants, it provides a sense of relaxation, intimacy and warmth, ready to accommodate guests and travellers.
