This proposal investigates the design condition of the Greek apartment building in an inverse way, as a condition of subtracting the building mass. The new building is conceived as a single white rectangular geometric prism, from which geometric solids are gradually carved. The act of subtraction defines the exterior shaded outdoor living spaces, and a dark tone is used at the recesses to intensify the plasticity and depth of the geometric form of the prism. The project is ultimately perceived as a "carved prism" avoiding unnecessary formations in the elevation, in which white and grey, light and shadow, interior and exterior living space alternate rhythmically.

‍

The organization of the apartments in plan view is symmetrical with respect to the central staircase which is accessed by a central elevator. The elevator hides the staircase area from the main entrance and is projected on the main elevation as a vertical circulation core. Through peripheral shafts that receive the mechanical installations for each floor, the core appears to detach from the side apartments, particularly at night, as light diffuses around it and emphasises the vertical movement of occupants to the apartments. At street level, the building's fencing is set back from the street line and a zone of low planting is created to visually blend it out and increase the sense of public space at the sidewalk level. The intent to remove the fencing enhances the appearance of the new building while improving the pedestrian experience when moving through the neighborhood.

The elongated zoning of the façade creates a sense of lightness to the whole, maintains the urban streetscape frontage by emphasizing the street perspective, and produces extensive covered spaces for outdoor living for residents. At the same time, they allow deep shading during the summer months and the passage of sunlight during the winter months for passive heating of the interior, acting as horizontal bioclimatic louvers.

‍

‍

The garden roof is attributed to all the residents of the building and creates a sense of continuity with the verdant slope of Hymettus at the upper level. Part of it is assigned to a two-storey apartment on the top floor, which develops an enclosed space with exclusive use of the landscaped roof.

‍