The historic building 'Luxembourg' is located in the coastal area of “Poseidonio athletic Centre” in eastern Thessaloniki. The location of this project carries significant historical weight, as is the case with many buildings in the city, particularly those near the Thermaic Gulf. During initial research on the site, it was discovered that a Catholic monastery once stood in the area. In the 1970s and for about 30 years, a famous seaside entertainment venue operated at the same spot, bearing the name 'Luxembourg', a name that has been preserved to this day. The area later underwent significant changes with the land reclamation of the new waterfront, and in 1973, the residential building, as we know it today, was constructed, representing a wonderful example of Modernist Movement expression.
The reuse of this building does not include a change in its function, as it is and remains a residential building. However, it incorporates a different subdivision of its interior spaces. We are creating new residential units while respecting the existing design tools of the past. Our interventions are guided by principles of ergonomics, sustainability, and wellbeing architecture. We aim to strengthen the building’s identity and bring it into the present, addressing the needs of the modern resident and aligning with the profile of its new occupants. In Thessaloniki, we are tasked with managing a mosaic of images and eras, a heavy architectural legacy of high historical importance, alongside rapidly developed building masses like this one.
The proposed design aims to create a calm environment with earthy tones and finishes, using natural materials such as wood and marble, combined with heavier elements and darker colors to introduce features from the modern movement while always respecting the building's history.
The project includes underground parking spaces, ground-floor apartments with external access, and floors with between 6 to 2 apartments per level. On the eighth and final floor, a penthouse is located, offering an unobstructed 360-degree view of the entire city and the waterfront. The building's facade is enhanced and preserved, without altering its distinctive features. These include the exposed concrete of the balconies, the marble cladding materials, and the unique exterior frames of the time, which defined the design of the facade itself. Careful interventions highlight these distinctive elements.
The central, double-height lobby is being restored and redesigned, with the aim of showcasing the characteristic herringbone-patterned marble floor. Additionally, the marble finishes are being restored and illuminated to create an aesthetic effect that blends modern sensibilities with historical elements. Furniture and lighting selections are influenced by the design palette of Bauhaus and the modern movement.
In the residences, herringbone-patterned flooring is also chosen, but this time in wood texture to create a more familiar and homely environment. White and light-colored furniture, as well as simple constructions, frame the interior, aiming to combine functionality and aesthetics in a small space. As one moves up the higher floors, the design incorporates more forms to offer a more unique and luxurious yet simple and serene living space.
