In the heart of the Pollonia settlement, in Milos Island, a polygonal plot is transformed into a microcosm of experiences. The new building embraces the idea of the courtyard as the center of life, reinterpreting the atmosphere of the Cycladic village with a contemporary eye.

The layout unfolds around the perimeter, with independent rooms whose volumes follow the outline of the site, while inside, a network of courtyards and pathways emerges. Here, the visitor is invited to wander, to discover hidden corners and inner gardens, to find their own place of calm or gathering.

The volumes develop on two levels: a grounded base of exposed stone supports the white upper floor, which seems to hover lightly above it. The architectural language of projections, corners, and openings creates a continuous play of light and shadow that shifts constantly with the movement of the sun.

Alongside stone and white, a third layer of materiality appears: metal pergolas and vertical corten elements that define the boundaries of the gardens, filter the light, and create moments of calm and privacy.

Six suites with double-height interiors welcome guests into spaces that are simple and luminous. A sense of clarity and directness prevails, allowing the eye to travel between contrasts, stone and white, shadow and light, solitude and togetherness.

The courtyard, the “heart” of the Cycladic house, becomes here a place of meeting and gathering, a secret garden sheltered from the wind, where guests come together as one community. In this space, architecture offers the essence of locality, creating the conditions for shared moments of relaxation, conversation, and connection.

This is a contemporary interpretation of the traditional settlement: an architecture that respects its place, fosters a sense of community, and offers room for both personal retreat and collective experience, a sanctuary of simplicity and authenticity in Milos.