The Plaka House in Athens Reconfigures a Century-Old Building
Amy Duong — December 23, 2025 — Art & Design
References: localocal.org
The Plaka House is a residential renovation project in the historic Plaka neighbourhood of Athens that adapts a 100-year-old structure into a contemporary home while preserving its original spatial memory. The design reorganises the interior around a central void that brings daylight deep into the plan and establishes a visual connection between levels. New interventions use articulated material shifts and sculpted openings to define functional zones such as living, cooking, and sleeping spaces. The sequence of spaces emphasises movement through varied volumes rather than a single open plan, reinforcing a layered experience throughout the residence.
Existing fabric including masonry walls and timber elements is retained where structurally sound, and new elements are inserted with contrasting finishes to distinguish old from new without erasing historical context. Light from skylights and carefully positioned apertures animates the interior surfaces, while calibrated thresholds guide transitions between public and private areas.
Image Credit: Lorenzo Zandri
Existing fabric including masonry walls and timber elements is retained where structurally sound, and new elements are inserted with contrasting finishes to distinguish old from new without erasing historical context. Light from skylights and carefully positioned apertures animates the interior surfaces, while calibrated thresholds guide transitions between public and private areas.
Image Credit: Lorenzo Zandri
Trend Themes
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Historical Preservation with Modern Integration — Balancing historical preservation with modern design offers opportunities to create living spaces that respect original architecture while updating functionality.
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Central Spatial Reconfiguration — Utilizing central voids for daylight penetration and spatial connection encourages designs that focus on enhancing natural light and visual continuity in renovations.
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Material Contrast in Design — Employing contrasting materials to differentiate between old and new elements presents disruptive opportunities in blending heritage with contemporary aesthetics.
Industry Implications
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Residential Architecture — The residential architecture industry can explore innovations in combining historical integrity with modern living needs, appealing to heritage-conscious homeowners.
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Interior Design — In the field of interior design, there is potential for developing new methodologies that integrate daylighting strategies with spatial reimagining.
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Construction and Renovation — The construction and renovation industry stands to benefit from advancing techniques that preserve original materials while introducing modern elements seamlessly.
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