Ναταλία Μπαζαίου

It Used to Be a Grandma’s Bathroom

  • Renovations
  • Project Architect: Natalia Bazaiou
  • Date: 2018
  • Location: Athens
  • Photography: Cathy Cunliffe
  • Collaborators: Matina Magklara (Lighting Design)

What happens when the smallest room in a home holds the densest memories?

The renovation of this bathroom in an Athenian apartment began with a narrative. It was the site of a grandmother’s daily rituals—worn tiles, repeated movements, and the subtle scent of lavender.

The challenge lay in translation: how can architectural design acknowledge the past without repeating it? How can renewal emerge through respect?

The intervention treats the bathroom as both a functional retreat and a spatial narrative. Its constraints—limited width, low light, outdated infrastructure—were approached as clues and opportunities. The bathtub was replaced with a walk-in shower, enhancing accessibility and spatial flow.

The material vocabulary is grounded in the sensory quality of textures, alternating between roughness and lyrical tactility. Cement mortar, exposed concrete structure, and a pebble-textured floor compose an experience designed for barefoot pleasure.