As opposed to purchase a bunch of furniture for their new rented apartment, Panagiotis Chatzitsakyris and Stelina Tsifti built it — each bit. They adored this open and bright third-floor unit in Greece, but the lack of architectural detail was discouraging. As tenants they could not remodel anything, so they made their furniture as building components — including an impressive modular living space unit and a four-poster bed that also serves as a closet. On top of that, they could take every piece together when they move.
in a Glance
Who lives here: Panagiotis Chatzitsakyris and Stelina Tsifti, Risks of .27 Architects
Location: Thessaloniki, Greece
Size: 1,100 square feet; two bedrooms, 11/2 baths
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Chatzitsakyris and Tsifti made this modular living space built to accommodate their daily needs while allowing the space to feel open. The unit consists of a brand new “floor” of Iroko engineered wood built 5 inches over the present marble flooring. Dips and rises in the unit allow for distinct purposes — sitting, walking or lying down. Underneath, added storage holds lighting, speakers, a TV projector and more.
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Next to the floor’s built-in bookcase, a life-size photograph of a display in a New York gallery hangs on the wall. The “bookshelf” embedded in the floor keeps the space free of any perpendicular storage volumes. Since it sits right under the TV projector wall, in addition, it takes advantage of an underused space: Frequently the space between the TV and seats is vacant, since most furniture pieces would obstruct the view of the TV. The embedded bookshelf uses this space and keeps the view clear.
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This dining room is just around the corner from the living room. The couple designed the table and chairs out of the same wood as the living room unit. The dining table chairs revolve round the table, forming a box that is single. They painted the wall graphics themselves this one integrates an unsightly radiator into the art.
More ways to utilize a radiator
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The living room built is made of 13 separate pieces of furniture (including the raised flooring) that can be disassembled while the couple moves outside. Since the 1970s space did not have any architectural features, Chatzitsakyris and Tsifti used the built-ins, light and murals — like this hand-drawn outline of Brooklyn — to add visual interest.
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A projector and cable pop up out of a technical storage unit in the living space for simple viewing. The low profile allows the couple to sit and comfortably see the projected TV image from any point in the room.
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They desired additional closets and a four-poster bed, but their bedroom did not have space for both. They combined the two functions into one custom design. The brand new bed has the cozy setting of a four-poster and storage space up top, which can be obtained by means of a manual lift.
The lift (like the one by Sugatsune) enables the closet rods to fold with their hanging garments and push up into the high closet space without needing a ladder or step stool.
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The set made minimal changes . The backsplash, cooker, white cupboards and range hood are original. But they did include an extra countertop and dining table (both custom made out of oriented strand board) and orange curtains to cover a storage room.
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The walls, doors, windows and the majority of the flooring in the apartment are original — including in this house office. The room’s character and purpose come from these custom mobile MDF desks.
Have you hacked your apartment? Tell us how you got the effect of a remodel with no one.
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