Lumen Residence in Papagou, Athens was designed to feel like home from the very first day. Created by Block722 as their own family base, the building was shaped around real routines, natural light and a close relationship with its surroundings.
Occupying the top two floors of a newly built apartment block, the residence blends craft, functionality and greenery to deliver a city home that feels grounded and personal from the moment you walk in.
Geometry Softened by Curves and Mediterranean Planting
The building stands on a quiet, leafy street in Papagou, an area largely developed during the 20th century and influenced by the International Style.
Its confident geometric form acknowledges that history, while softer curves, timber details and Mediterranean planting temper the structure with warmth. The result feels contemporary yet rooted in its surroundings.
Working with local contractors Thekla Construction, who developed the overall project, the studio designed a boutique scheme of five apartments and reserved the top two levels for themselves.
A Garden Path That Slows the Arrival
The approach to the building entrance sets the tone immediately. A timber gate opens onto a narrow, planted pathway where soft greenery lines a pale stone walkway, guiding visitors forward at an unhurried pace. Overhead, the building’s curved form gently overhangs the path, casting shifting shadows across textured walls.
An Open Plan Living Space
The first level opens into a flowing, open plan living space. Instead of rigid separations, discrete zones are formed through furniture placement and light partitions. This creates flexibility without sacrificing cohesion. The atmosphere feels relaxed yet deliberate.
Large openings frame glimpses of greenery and the cityscape beyond, allowing sunlight to travel through the interior and align daily life with the rhythm of the sun.
The Banquette That Anchors the Room
Within the open plan arrangement, a corner banquette anchors the dining area. Much of the furniture throughout the home was designed by the studio itself, ensuring each piece feels integral rather than added later. The dining space becomes a natural extension of the living zone, encouraging long meals and easy conversation.
A Kitchen Layered in Natural Materials
The kitchen is generous in scale and designed for entertaining, yet it remains fully integrated into family life. Natural materials define the mood. Marble, wood, textured render, create a layered, tactile palette. Oiled timber flooring adds warmth underfoot. Surfaces are chosen to age gracefully, embracing patina and imperfection over time.
A Staircase Linking Shared and Private Life
An internal staircase links the two levels of the duplex. The transition from the shared living areas below to the more private upper floor is gradual, maintaining visual connections to light as one moves upward.
Bedrooms Elevated Above the City
Two bedrooms sit on the first level, while the primary suite occupies the upper floor. Upstairs, the bedroom opens onto a planted roof terrace, offering carefully framed views of trees and the wider city. Each bedroom has been finished with wood and earth tones.
The arrangement makes the duplex feel less like an apartment and more like a detached house elevated above the streets.
Bathrooms Shaped by Texture and Wellness
The bathrooms continue the same approach that guided the entire design process. Natural materials and textured finishes reinforce a sense of calm, aligning with the studio’s emphasis on wellness and a close relationship between indoors and outdoors.
A Rooftop with Pool and Play
The roof terrace includes a swimming pool, deck and even a half size basketball court. Positioned on a south facing corner plot that backs into woods, the home enjoys abundant light and consistent views of greenery. From nearly every room, there is a visual connection to the natural surroundings.
Lumen Residence stands as both a family home and a layered case study in contemporary urban living. Through careful planning, local craftsmanship and a human centered design process, Block722 created a home designed to be enjoyed from the first day, shaped around connection, light and the everyday rhythms of life in Athens.