Located on the western side of the island of Kea, this subterranean summer house is a conversion that echoes the building's rich history.
Initially used as an old stone warehouse, leveraging its proximity to the sea and the sheltered bay for maritime transport of goods, it was later turned into a seaside restaurant. Bringing it into its new era, together with architect Christos Vlachos, we transformed the building into a barefoot luxury summer house, preserving its existing exterior shell while completely redesigning the interior to fit its new purpose.
Sculpted into the sinuous contours of the bay, the building feels deeply rooted in the landscape with its curvy layout, green roof, and use of natural materials. Beyond its immersed architecture, the building's integration with the environment is demonstrated through an energy management system and a domestic desalination unit that utilizes the seaside location without disturbing the sensitive coastal ecosystem.
Access to the house is from the upper level via a staircase that leads into the interior and defines the main circulation axis.
By the main entrance, where the restaurant kitchen used to be, there is now an inner garden adorned with tropical plants, which creates a dramatic spectacle thanks to the light streaming through the skylights in the roof.
The spacious and elongated living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining area, and living room, unravels along the façade to allow for unobstructed views of the surrounding area through large glass openings.
The residence's two ensuite bedrooms are placed on the other side, behind a curved stone wall, featuring narrow, linear windows and skylights that provide natural lighting to the auxiliary spaces.
The materials used aim to enhance the organic feel and calmness that the space inspires. Throughout the property, the floors are laid with cement in the color of sand, while the interior is characterized by dark anthracite shades, black metal details and frames, and fixed furniture made of basalt stone and walnut.
The house also features an independent guestroom with a wide horizontal window that allows guests to enjoy the view while lounging on the bed.
Outside the bedrooms and guesthouse, we’ve created gardens with low vegetation that blend into the dry Cycladic landscape. To honor the villa's cultural and geographical context, we wanted to preserve the local natural stone of the original warehouse, giving the entire complex the appearance of traditional dry stone walls, with interior and exterior spaces flowing between them.
The outdoor recreational areas, nestled between the residence and the sea, follow the natural rock formations and are gently divided into sections. The seating area, which extends from the interior living spaces, is shaded by two triangular canopies, and a private stone staircase offers direct access to the beach. By thoughtfully and creatively integrating the property's context and history, our design offers a summer living environment that blends tradition with timelessness.
