The Art House in Filothei, Athens, designed by Kallos Turin, is a striking residence situated on an angled plot in a leafy, affluent neighborhood. This project came about through a network of shared connections, including Emily Tsingou, a private collection curator, and a surprising family history between the architects and the client. Once the architects navigated Greece’s restrictive planning codes, they focused on maximizing the available space within the prescribed shape.
The house was pushed towards the rear of the plot, leaving room for a courtyard garden with views of a mountain and nature reserve. The design embraced the rectangular volume while introducing curves along travel paths to soften its rigidity. The architects collaborated with Athens-based Doxiadis+ to create a landscape contrasting the dense, rigid concrete form with a loose, organic garden, now a wildflower meadow. Inside, the home was crafted to serve as a family base and an art gallery for the client’s extensive collection. Concrete was chosen for its tactile qualities, offering both texture and luminosity, while also being suitable for gallery walls.
The home features a well-planned kitchen with expansive views over the Athens skyline and a generous pantry. Spanning four floors, the house includes a curvilinear path leading from the garden entrance to the interior, with a curved concrete staircase. The ground level houses the main bedroom suite, gym, and guest room, while the lower level holds an art gallery. The first floor contains the living areas and kitchen, and an external staircase leads to the roof terrace with a pool, ideal for al fresco dining. The house is thoughtfully designed, with carefully curated spaces, niches for art, and a combination of Greek and imported marbles that contrast beautifully with the exposed concrete. It is a dynamic and inviting home, full of surprises.