A contemporary home in Athens

The case of the architecture in modern-time Athens is quite a complex one. I am not going to get into the details in this post, but what needs to be said here is that there is a number of styles ranging from the neo-classical, to neo-traditional, to very contemporary and modern. Some of these modern ones are of really good taste, as is the family home I am poesting about, today.

This is the home of Architect Elena Stavropoulou who specialises in bio-climatic architecture, and her young family. It is situated in Nea Filothei, a semi-suburban area in the outskirts of Athens.

The house is designed as one big box where smaller boxes (the sleeping quarters) are housed.

The fireplace divides the living room from the dining room.

The dining room area is adjacent to the kitchen. The table doubles as work surface. Cabinets and storage have been made to measure in order to achieve an uncluttered look.

Above: the dining room/kitchen area. Below left: the stairs leading to the upper floor. Below right: the master bedroom.

The kids' bathroom. The fireplace chimney (on the right) passes through it to provide extra heat.

 The library with the Japanese-style staircase, leading to the roof-garden.

(credit: Maison et Decoration, 3/2010)

What I like about this house is that the eye can stroll around, rest in some decorative objects, but the result is neither busy nor clinical. The combined use of warm and cold materials, give a balanced result, with a comfortable and welcoming feeling. What do you think? Would you like to live in this house?