Project Info
Project Name: Lumen Residence
Location: Papagou, Athens, Greece
Architect: Block722
In the leafy Papagou district of Athens, Greek architecture studio Block722 has transformed the idea of urban apartment living into a serene, nature-infused family sanctuary. Designed as the personal home of founders Sotiris Tsergas and Katja Margaritoglou and completed in 2025, Lumen Residence is a 230-square-metre duplex that seamlessly bridges the boundaries between interior and exterior, city living and wellbeing-centred retreat.
Perched atop a boutique five-unit building that Block722 conceived and developed on a south-facing corner plot backing onto woodland, the penthouse is more than an apartment, it is a crafted house in the sky that responds intimately to daily family life while expressing the studio’s ethos of organic luxury.
Lumen Residence crowns a boutique residential building with sculptural balconies and soft Mediterranean planting
A Modern Interpretation of Mediterranean Living
From the street, the building asserts a confident, geometric form rooted in the post-war architectural language of Athens. Yet its sculpted, curved balconies, timber accents, and lush Mediterranean planting soften the massing, introducing a material richness and human scale that hint at what lies inside.
Mediterranean planting wraps the balcony in greenery, turning the space into a private urban garden
Inside, expansive openings frame continuous views of surrounding greenery and distant cityscape, while smooth connections between spaces create freedom of movement and a profound connection to light and nature. The lower floor accommodates two bedrooms and a generous open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area. The upper level is dedicated to the primary suite, which spills onto a planted terrace complete with an infinity-edge pool, lounge deck and open outdoor space - a dramatic extension of the home itself.
Expansive openings dissolve the boundary between indoors and out, framing leafy views and bathing the living spaces in natural light
Built-in oak storage and soft upholstery shape a calm, material-rich living room
The open kitchen pairs warm wood cabinetry with honed stone surfaces, designed as a social heart where cooking blends into everyday life
Muted tones, tactile fabrics, and filtered natural light create a bedroom atmosphere that feels cocooning, quiet, and deeply restorative
An infinity-edge pool extends the suite outdoors, blurring architecture and landscape above the Athenian canopy
Material Authenticity and Craftsmanship
Materiality lies at the heart of Lumen Residence’s calm and tactile atmosphere. Oiled timber, textured plaster, travertine and marble define the interiors, their surfaces chosen not for shine but for warmth, durability and sensory depth. Much of the interior, from doors and cabinetry to bespoke furniture and millwork, was custom-designed by the studio in collaboration with skilled local artisans, reinforcing the sense that this is a home shaped to human scale and everyday ritual.
Architectural details, softly curved oak joinery, built-in seating and thoughtful spatial transitions, reflect a Scandinavian and Japandi-inflected approach to modern living, where simplicity enhances comfort and crafted touches enrich experience.
Warm oak joinery and solid timber surfaces catch filtered daylight, creating a softly tactile dining setting
Monolithic stone basin set against richly veined marble and warm oak joinery
Natural stone surfaces turn the bathroom into a spa-like retreat
Wellness, Light and the Art of Living Everyday
Central to the design is a biophilic strategy that brings nature into every room. Large windows admit generous sunlight, while planted balconies and terraces weave greenery into daily life. These design strategies are not simply aesthetic; they support wellbeing by aligning interior spaces with the natural cycles of light, air and the surrounding landscape.
Lumen Residence is a quiet manifesto of contemporary urban living that is rooted in material honesty, human-centred design, and a deep dialogue with nature. It is a place not merely to marvel at, but to live in - a home that carries the calmness of a retreat and the soulfulness of a craft-rich environment.
A planted terrace with pool and lounge seating opens to sweeping views over the treetops and distant hills
PHOTO CREDIT: Ana Santl Andersen
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