The project involves the renovation of a 37 sq.m. apartment from the 1960s, located in the heart of Patras. The architectural concept centers on the creation of a luminous, flexible, and seamless living environment, designed to accommodate short-term stays. The primary chal-lenge lay in maximizing the potential of the limited footprint by integrating the sleeping, liv-ing, and kitchen areas into a cohesive whole. The entrance corridor was strategically utilized as a storage zone through built-in, custom-designed structures.
The design narrative unfolds along three key principles: materiality, lighting, and reflectivity. The flooring is clad with large-format ceramic tiles, while a palette of off-whites dominates the walls, textiles, and core elements, establishing a neutral yet cohesive backdrop. The soft curvatures of the furniture enhance the spatial flow and dissolve hard boundaries, fostering a sense of continuity. Lighting is treated as an intrinsic architectural element: a network of metal tracks traverses the apartment, punctuated by indirect lighting interventions that con-struct a dynamic, scenographic experience.
A key feature of the composition is the bathroom, enclosed with glass walls and an exterior mirror finish. This solution guarantees privacy while allowing the uninterrupted passage of light and reinforcing the perception of openness. The balcony, overlooking an open area with vegetation, strengthens the connection to nature and natural light. The reflective surfaces of the glass volume continuously transform the spatial experience, depending on the viewer’s position.
Urban Mirage highlights the potential of small-scale urban regeneration, using light, material-ity, and illusion to redefine the living experience within densely built environments.
