PROJECT 119

Comprised of one or two floors, these residences were arrayed one next to the other, forming blocks that were divided into small homes meant to house entire refugee families. Conveniently located in a pedestrian street and featuring six m2 terraces, the houses made it possible for uprooted families to get together in the street or the terraces, preserve their bonds and keep their rich culture and traditions alive, while striving for survival in a different land.

Thanks to the Underground, Nikea has been upgraded and the owners, who had left the house years ago, decided to renovate it. The façade of the building was torn up and completely reconstructed. Some parts of the original brick wall have been preserved and one of these parts is visible, brightened up and decorated with cacti. A new metal door, whose knob has the shape of the street number, has replaced the old one. The small terrace features tiles that were removed from the inner house. The final touch is added by a bench with hidden storage space and some bronze details on the drainpipe and the outside faucet.

Inside, the house was separated into small rooms, whose walls were torn down in order to create a single open space for the kitchen and the living room. Large tiles have been laid on the floor, providing a sense of uniformity in the few squared metres available. The bedroom was moved to another side so as to make full use of the limited space, while the wardrobes, embedded in the walls and surrounding the bed, naturally extend and unify the room in a shade of white.

The bathroom was torn down and completely made over with modern materials. White tiles with hinges in a pale shade and accessories with black details. The same approach has been applied in the kitchen. The openings of the house are few and small, which is why the central entrance is made of glass, as the terrace receives sunlight during most of daytime.