cantilevered glass and concrete pavilion by APAP extends 1970s woodland house in nicosia

defined by shifting woodland shadows by day, the pavilion transforms at night through a tailored lighting installation that recasts its architectural geometry.

APAP edited by christina vergopoulou November 4, 2026 3 min

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APAP ADDS CANTILEVERED EXTENSION TO 1970S WOODLAND RESIDENCE

Designed by architecture practice APAP, DIAGONAL is a residential extension to a 1970s dwelling situated on a wooded, elevated plot in Nicosia, Cyprus. Departing from the original home’s primary structural motif, defined by two parallel load-bearing walls, the project introduces an unprogrammed pavilion articulated by two horizontal planes that cantilever outward toward the central courtyard, establishing direct visual connections with the surrounding tree canopy.

cantilevered glass and concrete pavilion by APAP extends 1970s woodland house in nicosia - 1 — all images ©Shivas Shaolin

OPEN-ENDED INTERIOR VOLUME ADAPTS TO SHIFTING LIGHT PATTERNS

Conceived by APAP Studio without a rigid functional brief, the open volume adapts to indeterminate domestic uses over time. Glazed perimeters capture the shifting patterns of foliage shadows and diurnal sunlight, turning the concrete and glass envelope into a receptive plane for natural light. After dusk, the volume functions as an illuminated vitrine via a custom four-part diagonal lighting armature suspended within the space. The bespoke fixture deploys three distinct color temperatures: very warm red light cast toward the sides, very cool white light directed up toward the ceiling, and warmer white light projected down onto the floor. This calibrated artificial lighting schema emphasizes the structural diagonal of the enclosure without requiring internal physical partitions.

cantilevered glass and concrete pavilion by APAP extends 1970s woodland house in nicosia - 2 — DIAGONAL is a residential pavilion designed by APAP as an extension to a 1970s home

cantilevered glass and concrete pavilion by APAP extends 1970s woodland house in nicosia - 3 — the project is situated on a sloped clearing surrounded by mature woodland trees

cantilevered glass and concrete pavilion by APAP extends 1970s woodland house in nicosia - 4 — the design takes cues from the original house’s structural geometry of two parallel walls

apap-diagonal-1970s-residence-nicosia-cyprus-designboom-1800-5 — the interior intentionally lacks built-in partitions to support flexible, indeterminate functions

cantilevered glass and concrete pavilion by APAP extends 1970s woodland house in nicosia - 5 — expansive glazing frames continuous vistas of the surrounding tree trunks and foliage

cantilevered glass and concrete pavilion by APAP extends 1970s woodland house in nicosia - 6 — a bespoke four-element diagonal lighting fixture anchors the center of the ceiling

apap-diagonal-1970s-residence-nicosia-cyprus-designboom-1800-10 — during the evening, the glazed pavilion transitions into a transparent, illuminated container

cantilevered glass and concrete pavilion by APAP extends 1970s woodland house in nicosia - 7 — two planar horizontal slabs define the floor and roof thresholds of the new volume

cantilevered glass and concrete pavilion by APAP extends 1970s woodland house in nicosia - 8 — the extension cantilevers out into the courtyard to create an open connection with the landscape

cantilevered glass and concrete pavilion by APAP extends 1970s woodland house in nicosia - 9 — the luminaire distributes artificial light across three distinct calibrated color temperatures

apap-diagonal-1970s-residence-nicosia-cyprus-designboom-1800-11 — the artificial lighting arrangement reinterprets the room’s geometry after dark without physical dividers

red light washes outward to highlight the side elevations and adjacent glass

project info:

name: DIAGONAL
architect: APAP | @alexispapadopoulosarch

location: Nicosia, Cyprus

area: 133 sqm

design team: Alexis Papadopoulos, Maria Giannakou

civil engineer: Allayiotis & Christodoulidou

contractor: Innovative Construction Solutions

lighting: Ioannides Lighting

photographer: Shivas Shaolin

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