An oasis of organic luxury. The flat was built in Athens

·20 August 2026

In the Papagou district of Athens, a 230-metre apartment called Lumen Residence has been built, designed by the Block722 studio as a private home for its founders. The two-storey interior is finished in marble, wood, travertine and ceramics. Light, greenery and bespoke furniture play a significant role in the overall design. The Athens flat is an oasis of warmth and organic luxury.

Lumen Residence occupies the fourth and fifth floors of a new, intimate residential building on a quiet, tree-lined street in the Papagou district. The apartment block was built on a southern-facing plot adjacent to a woodland, allowing the architects to open up the interiors to the greenery with virtually no restrictions. Block722 is responsible for the design – a studio led by Katja Margaritoglou and Sotiris Tsergas, who have moved in here with their family. The lower floor comprises two bedrooms and an open-plan living area. The spacious kitchen has been designed with communal cooking and entertaining in mind, whilst furniture and lightweight partitions delineate the various functional areas. The main bedroom is situated on the upper floor, with its own access to a green terrace featuring a swimming pool. The upper part of the flat resembles a private house suspended above the city.

The interior has been designed around natural, tactile materials. These include marble, wood, textured plaster, red travertine, ceramic tiles and oiled wooden floors. The materials have not been excessively polished. The architects have opted for surfaces that will develop a patina over time and retain the traces of everyday use. Furniture made specifically for this interior also plays a major role. Block722 designed, amongst other things, the dining table and bench, the living room fitted furniture, the kitchen, the wooden fittings and the marble washbasins. Local craftsmen were commissioned to create these pieces, ensuring that the furnishings are not a random collection of off-the-shelf products, but an integral part of the original design concept.

The designers paid close attention to the relationship between the interior and its surroundings. The impressively large windows allow views of the greenery from almost every room, whilst natural light changes the appearance of the rooms throughout the day. The layout of the open-plan living area allows for free movement between the kitchen, dining room and living room, whilst carefully arranged furniture creates more intimate spaces for relaxation. Biophilic design takes a very practical form here. Greenery spills out onto the terraces and the roof, whilst the top floor opens up to panoramic views of the city and the nearby trees. Art also plays an important role at Lumen Residence. Block722 and Efi Spyrou were responsible for the artistic design. The interiors feature paintings by Stella Kapezanou and photographs by Maria Siorba. Nothing here is left to chance.

Lumen Residence was originally conceived as a private home, which is why the designers were able to tailor the interior in detail to the family’s own habits. The team analysed how time is spent, the family’s needs and everyday usage scenarios. On this basis, bespoke fittings, furniture, relaxation areas and spaces designed for gatherings were created.

The building’s structure has a geometric form reminiscent of Papagou’s modernist architecture, but soft curves, wooden details and Mediterranean vegetation soften its appearance. Inside, natural materials and warm surfaces serve a similar purpose. The interior is devoid of any cold, showy character. The Lumen Residence flat in Athens was intended from the outset to be a place to live, which is why its most important features remain comfort, a homely atmosphere and proximity to the Mediterranean landscape, which is practically on your doorstep.

design: Block722
area: 230 sq m
location: Papagou, Athens, Greece
photography: Ana Santl Andersen