The objective of the current thesis is to reflect on the concept of the building block and to propose a possible solution that can support the modern needs for a happy collective life, needs that were especially magnified under the new demanding behavior conditions created by the pandemic. The approach aims at the re-invention-investment of space and time in the typology of the urban block "as we know it" with an emphasis on the strong communication of the private with the public space, the "inside" with the "outside" ("inside- out”). The "inside" enters the "outside" but also the "outside" enters the "inside" in a continuous two-way conversation between them.

 The physical-political boundaries of the building (property, fences) are being weakened-withdrawn and the "inside" is connected and integrated with the "outside". Spaces are transformed into fields of transition that utilize light, solar energy, natural ventilation and the new proposals of "green" urban practices. The semi-outdoor collective living spaces reveal themselves to the city and shape new social possibilities for both permanent residents and visitors who can now not only communicate more but also effectively combine their lives. The new conditions of social distancing that have prevailed in the last two years make it crucial to revisit social obligations/reconnections. The "inside-out" approach-study will act as a transformer of social relationships, improve the quality of collective life and enhance the satisfaction feeling of the residents. The architectural solution, along with the re-shaping of social relationships, will satisfy aesthetic criteria, preserve the "buildings’ memory" and promote sustainability, driving a complete upgrade of the building block experience for both residents and visitors. The whole approach bears elements of the Swedish manifesto of modern architecture, Acceptera, where contemporary social conditions are recognized, accepted and lead to functional solutions to meet particular cultural and material needs.

 The application field of the current study was an existing building block in the dense urban fabric of the central sector of Athens with challenges, faced also by other large city areas. The aging building infrastructure, the lack of green spaces, the lack of available free spaces for interventions, the socio-economic composition of the population (immigrants, the elderly, weaker economic strata) and the needs of the residents constitute the new reality of the area.

 The study could be viewed as a pilot example for a larger scale solution that will replicate the logic and practices of the proposed design.