In the peri-urban area of Limassol, the residence is organized through two shifted rectangular volumes, creating a cross-ventilated core for semi-outdoor living. This intermediate space works as a filter between interior and exterior, reinforcing the continuity of everyday life. On the upper floor, the private areas are protected by deep projections that integrate planting. This gesture contributes to passive solar protection, while softening the exposed concrete mass and establishing a more nuanced threshold between the building, natural light and the surrounding environment.

 

 

 

At MGO Protopapas I in Limassol, the office building’s façade develops through folded surfaces and parametrically designed vertical elements. Its dynamic form follows the movement of the road, turning the façade into a field of shifting geometries. On the southern side, the aluminium frames are recessed from the building line, while semi-outdoor terraces of varying sizes unfold in front of them. Together with the vertical fins, these terraces provide shade to the office interiors during the summer months, integrating environmental performance into the overall architectural expression.

 

 

04. Aegean Color Rooms | The Hive Architects

 

 

In Naousa, Paros, Aegean Color Rooms redesigns a small hospitality building through clear geometry and a renewed visual identity. The central design idea is the integration of perforated linear canopies, which filter natural light and frame views toward the sea. These structures offer shade and protection, while acting as transitional elements between the rooms and their outdoor spaces. The balconies become small private oases, where shading, color and water come together to create a calm hospitality experience.

 

 

05. Villa Ypsilon | Lassa Architects

ek Issue: 217 | May 2017

 

 

In the southern Peloponnese, Villa Ypsilon is set on a hillside olive grove and defined by its Y-shaped green roof, which functions as an extension of the garden. Circulation around and over the roof creates a continuous promenade, defining three ground-level courtyards with different uses. The roof was specifically oriented to shade the courtyards at selected times of the day. At the same time, a perforated wall protects the interior from the afternoon sun, while allowing cross-ventilation and natural cooling during the evening.

 

 

On a sloping site in Limassol, the House in Kefalokremmos follows the topography and is organized as a refuge in direct dialogue with the natural terrain and sea views. Its stepped layout allows interior and exterior spaces to flow smoothly into one another.

Carefully positioned stoas and semi-outdoor areas act as filters against sun and wind. Shading is therefore not limited to isolated construction elements; it becomes part of the spatial organization of the house, offering comfort, calmness and gradations of privacy.

 

At Ogarden, an existing office building is transformed into a mixed-use project combining office spaces and boutique short-stay apartments. The project’s defining new architectural feature is a system of vertical exterior louvers, made of white concrete with marble chips from Naxos and Tinos. These fixed louvers wrap the building as a second skin, providing shade and privacy. Their different angles create a wave-like effect on the façade, while light and shadow constantly transform the building’s appearance. Horizontal aluminium shading systems at ground level and on the planted roof complete the solar protection strategy.

 

 

 

In Maroussi, Terra Form House creates an architectural microclimate within the dense urban fabric. The residence redefines basic architectural elements, such as the roof, garden, threshold and windows, in order to form a protected inner and outer world. The traditional pitched roof is transformed into a two-sided perforated canopy, extending beyond the enclosed volume of the house and embracing the outdoor spaces. It provides shade and privacy, unifying the gardens and living areas under a single protective structure.

 

 

In Kalyviani, Chania, Corte Interna restores a complex of three stone buildings arranged around an internal courtyard. The intervention preserves the character of the existing ensemble, while introducing contemporary metal elements, natural materials and fluid forms that contrast with the solidity of stone. In the raised courtyard, sliding fabric awnings on tensile steel cables provide shade and create a gathering space. This simple construction is organically integrated into the whole, combining the atmosphere of a traditional material with the clarity of a contemporary addition.

Scenography approach

This project involves the restoration of a complex of three stone-built structures in Kalyviani, Chania, repurposed to accommodate five bedrooms and spacious communal areas. The building volumes are arranged around an interior courtyard, where water serves as a central feature. Drawing inspiration from the Venetian imprint on traditional Cretan architecture, the design follows a scenographic approach that evokes new emotional experiences through spatial storytelling.

 

Restoration Philosophy

The first two-story building, located along the village’s main road, underwent significant interventions. A key modification was the creation of an interior opening to visually and functionally connect the bedroom to the ground floor. This transition is framed by a distinctive metal threshold. A spiral staircase made of perforated metal sheeting provides vertical circulation, adding a sculptural quality to the space. The building envelope was structurally reinforced with cement injections. On the exterior, the old plaster was replaced with a natural lime-based mortar, which selectively reveals portions of the original stonework. In contrast, the interior stone masonry was left fully exposed. The juxtaposition of polished cement flooring with the rough-hewn stone walls creates a powerful visual dialogue.

 

 

Aesthetic Interventions

In the second building, situated at pool level, striking visual contrasts are introduced—between exposed stone and smooth plaster, and between solid walls and open voids. A reinforced concrete beam runs across the stonework, unifying the structure while showcasing the process of structural reinforcement as an intentional design element. The calm, muted tones of the plaster complement the natural elegance of travertine flooring, which seamlessly extends from the interior to the courtyard, wrapping around the pool and continuing into the kitchen of the two-story structure. Access to the third building, positioned on a higher level, is provided via an external metal staircase, reinforcing the dialogue between old and new materials.

 

 

Materials & Furniture

Inside, an old fireplace is repurposed as a skylight in the new bedroom, preserving heritage while introducing functionality. Natural cotto tiles are used for the flooring, extending into the courtyard to create a sense of continuity. A metal pergola with reed covering shades the elevated courtyard, forming a relaxed social gathering space. The overall composition is enhanced by the choice of organically shaped furniture and lighting fixtures, which soften and contrast with the robust geometry of the existing structure. Materials such as metal, wood, fabric, ribbed glass, and plaster interact harmoniously with the architectural surfaces, articulating the contemporary additions while honoring the historical character and natural patina of the building.