project: Hom(m)e
Location:  Kastri, Attica, Greece
Site Area: 180 square meters
Construction Management: Iolkos
Architectural Design:  Dimitris Karampatakis – K-Studio, Dimitris Tsigos – TDC
Date Completed:  2010

Dimitris Karampatakis of K-Studio and Dimitris Tsigos of TDC surprise us with the interior architectural design of a 180 square meter apartment in the Northern suburbs of Athens, Greece in the neighborhood of Kastri.  Hom(m)e has been designed according to the needs and the lifestyle of its owner; a single man.
 

The architects, K-Studio in cooperation with TDC were asked to analyze the needs, the lifestyle as well as the taste of the owner, as a result they evaluated and filtered the necessities and the requirement to only come up with this unique, contemporary, apartment interior.   The architectural approach of Hom(m)e is not discontinued at the fulfillment of its basic needs but is equivalent to the values, the preferences and the aspirations of the owner.
 

The architectural configuration of the 180 square meter apartment has been divided by a main axis which creates two zones; a communal and a private. This bold separation which creates the two zones allows for various functions to take place according to the needs.  The communal zone is compromised of the living room, and the kitchen in an open plan program, whilst the dining room is found behind a metal partition with a gothic motif.   An aerodynamic sculptural form undulates within the living room and the kitchen; this black glossy form rises to act as a coffee table and lowers to become one with the floor and ascends again to create a kitchen island and/or bar.
 

Stimulated by the owner’s love for fast cars and aerodynamic forms, the architects used this primary source of inspiration to create this sculptural centerpiece. Durable materials such as grey stone and metal, hem in the communal zone; the new interior shell which is constructed by the black metal sheet which develops within the walls and the ceiling has been laser cut in a gothic motif due to the owner’s interest in gothic art.  The perforated steel shell gives depth to the room, and allows for light to pass through the gothic motif thus creating an interesting game of shapes and light.   The kitchen, the fireplace as well as extra storage space is conveniently enclosed within a cabinet construction; this ‘deep’ wall cabinet construction is cladded with grey stone and acts as the borderline between the communal and the private zone.
 

The private zone of the apartment is not only defined by the grey stone borderline but also by dark walnut wood which has been directly identifiable with the private zone.  The private zone includes the bedroom, an office, a closet, a bathtub, the washbasins and the toilet.  In this zone various functions take place; for this area many sur mesure constructions have been designed to meet the needs of the client.  A sliding partition opens to unite the bedroom area with the bathtub; five glass panels glide in an automated manner within the room drawing along strungs of clothing.  The dark walnut wood which seems to take forms to create furniture pieces is scatterly interrupted by fluorescent light slits, while glossy white lacquered surfaces add a contemporary touch.
 

In conclusion, the two-fold nature is expressed through the use of contrasting materials; soft, warm materials such as the walnut wood cladding of the private spaces, while cool stone and laser cut black steel in a gothic motif define the communal zone of the house.   

Hom(m)e recounts for the daily multi-evolving story of the life of the owner and takes an active role in this by defining a bi-directional connection between functional design and architectural ambition.