How to renovate a neoclassical house: Local Local and the Plaka House project in Athens

Design firm: Local Local 
Project name: Plaka house 
Location: Athens, Greece

In the charming Plaka district at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens, Local Studio has renovated a 19th-century neoclassical terraced house, discreetly intervening in a listed, two-storey building. The project was made more challenging by a previous renovation in the 1990s, when the former owners opted for a design dominated by polished marble and dark finishes. Plaka House has therefore been reimagined with a design that offsets the "gravity" of the historic building, featuring an almost entirely white colour palette on the walls, ceilings, and window frames that expands the perceived dimensions of the rooms and enhances their brightness. Traditional building techniques and materials have been used to reinterpret the building’s heritage, infusing it with vaguely pop accents. Examples include the terrazzo in various shades, the handcrafted joinery inspired by classical forms and the fireplace in green Tinos marble. Furnishings and accessories in exuberant colours complete the look.