If the ideal home evokes an effortless sense of belonging and familiarity, then this duplex apartment in Athens is a job well done by its creator, architecture and design studio Block722

Precisely designed to respond to the daily needs and lifestyle of its users, Lumen Residence offers fresh ideas for contemporary urban living—blending supreme functionality, respect for the site’s local conditions, and Block722’s established approach of "organic luxury", which places an emphasis on craft-rich interiors, openness, and an intrinsic relationship with nature.

However, this project is more than a beautiful showcase of residential design; it is a personal statement. The duplex unit, set on the fourth and fifth floors of a newly built apartment block on a quiet, leafy street in the Greek capital’s Papagou district, is also the personal base of the studio’s founders, interior designer Katja Margaritoglou and architect Sotiris Tsergas, and their family of four.

Crafting a 'Forever' Home

When the duo embarked on the project to create their ‘forever’ home, they had a set of key objectives. They needed a space brimming with personality; something intimate and site-specific, yet truly bespoke, which would act as an embodiment of their studio values. Their search led them to a south-facing corner plot on a small street that backs into woods.

Working with local contractors Thekla Construction, who acted as the overall project’s developers, Block722 designed a boutique housing scheme comprising five apartments. The founders earmarked the top two levels for their own use, meticulously defining both the larger structure’s design and the specific home’s interior.

The residential building is confident and geometric, nodding to the spirit of the Golden Age of Papagou, a part of Athens largely developed during the 20th century and influenced by the International Style. At the same time, the design is softly sculpted using curves, warm timber details, and lush Mediterranean planting, allowing 21st-century considerations and aesthetics to shine.

An Intensely Bespoke Interior

Inside, every element was exactly crafted and tailor-made for the residents’ lifestyle. Margaritoglou and Tsergas ran countless scenarios with their team, intensely analyzing their way of life, wishes, and practical uses of the home to create a truly customized dwelling that would fit their family like a glove. This approach extended to everything from the layout and the placement of art to specific, loose or built-in furniture - much of it designed bespoke by the studio.

The home’s interior spreads across two floors and 230 sq m. The lower level contains two bedrooms and a flowing, open-plan living space, featuring discrete areas defined through the clever use of furniture and light partitions, including a large kitchen ideal for entertaining.

The primary bedroom suite, the most private retreat, is found upstairs. This level opens up to a planted roof terrace featuring a swimming pool, a generous deck, and even a half-size basketball court. Self-contained, highly personalized, and taking in the long, carefully framed views of surrounding greenery and the cityscape beyond, the project feels more like a detached single-family house in the sky than part of a larger development.

Wellness and the Biophilic Approach

The idea of wellness and a biophilic approach were central to the design development. This is powerfully showcased through a palette of natural, tactile materials: marble, wood, textured render, travertino rosso, ceramic tiles, and oiled timber flooring. Following Block722’s overarching style, which favors a strong relationship between indoors and outdoors, the home was conceived to connect its users with their surroundings.

Large openings allow glimpses of greenery from every room, dedicated flexible spaces cater to resting and socializing as needed, and an abundance of natural sunlight ensures life within is in sync with the sun’s journey and the body’s circadian rhythm.

The composition ensures the family’s every day is wrapped in surfaces that age gracefully—celebrating patina and imperfection rather than high polish. Details, furniture, and labor by local artisans add a rich layer of craft to the whole, underpinning the studio’s commitment to human- and nature-centered design.

The result is a layered case study for sophisticated city living, as well as a warm home exuding a strong sense of place. It feels instantly lived-in and comfortable, meant to be thoroughly enjoyed since day one, slotting seamlessly into the family’s life. Block722’s approach, prioritizing experience and emotion, produced a domestic environment that fosters deep connections: between residents, with its context, and the fundamental rhythm of life itself.