OUR PROJECTS
Addition of Four Apartments to an Existing Building
About the project
Above an existing ground-floor retail space, four new apartments are being developed. Two maisonettes are positioned on either side of the floor, while two one-bedroom apartments are located at the centre, achieving balance both in terms of layout and the final architectural expression of the building.
The Challenge
In this project, our firm undertook the renovation of an existing ground-floor commercial building, which currently accommodates a shop, to add four new apartments on the first floor. This new residential use required a complete reorganisation of the building, including the creation of an independent entrance, a staircase and a lift at ground level, as well as the full architectural design of the new homes.
At the same time, a key objective of the study was to integrate the new addition seamlessly into the existing structure. The new level was designed so that it would not read as a later intervention, but rather as an integral part of a single, coherent building.
Our Approach
Our approach was developed in clear stages, with the goal of making full use of the existing building while properly supporting the new residential level, without functional compromises.
Strengthening and adaptation of the existing building
The first step was the assessment of the condition of the existing structure and the design of the necessary interventions, ensuring it could safely accommodate the new floor. At the same time, the building services and the overall organisation of the ground floor were reconfigured to support the new mix of uses.
New central entrance
The ground-floor shop, originally a single open space, was divided into two independent commercial units. A new central entrance was introduced between them, providing clear and direct access to the apartments above through a staircase and lift. This arrangement ensures the independence of the residential use from the commercial activity, with clear and intuitive circulation.
Addition of four new apartments on the upper floor
The first floor accommodates four new apartments, with two maisonettes at the edges of the building and two one-bedroom apartments at the centre, making balanced use of the available space. The homes were designed with clean lines and a clear functional layout, offering comfort, autonomy and a contemporary living experience, while reinforcing the unified architectural identity of the building.
The architectural expression of the addition is enhanced through a contrast of colours, clearly reflecting the new residential use and upgrading the overall character of the property. In parallel, a system of horizontal and vertical shading elements organises the facade and shapes the building’s final symmetrical volume, adding rhythm, depth and a contemporary architectural character.
The Result
What was once a simple ground-floor shop in a densely built neighbourhood of Heraklion is evolving into a mixed-use building with strong commercial potential, making full use of every square metre while significantly upgrading both its image and overall value.
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