On the edge of a gorge in the Mani Peninsula, two centuries-old stone structures are restored and connected to form Paratiritirio, a family retreat where the local building tradition meets references to Thai, Moroccan and wider Mediterranean material culture.

 

Paratiritirio in Isna, Mani by ETSI Architects occupies two existing stone structures positioned directly above a steep gorge. Conceived as a meeting place for three generations of an American-Thai family, the project stabilizes and reconnects the historic buildings while introducing only one substantial new built element: a double-height entrance volume that organizes circulation between the upper and lower levels.

The renovation retains the weight and irregularity of the existing masonry, while new insertions establish a contemporary domestic programme around views towards the gorge and the sea. The steep surrounding terrain is incorporated into the spatial sequence, allowing interior rooms, terraces and garden levels to operate as parts of a continuous route.

 

Connecting two historic structures

The project begins with two independent vernacular buildings that had stood side by side for centuries.

Rather than erasing their separation, the intervention uses the gap between them to create the new entrance. This infill volume forms a double-height vestibule containing the main vertical circulation and becomes the principal point from which the house is understood.

A new timber-clad terrace extends from this threshold towards the gorge, immediately establishing the landscape as a central reference.

Access to the house is equally deliberate. A narrow path follows the rocky edge of the site before reaching the entrance, turning arrival into a gradual transition from the village and terrain to the interior.

 

A continuous route on the upper level

On the upper floor, interior and exterior circulation form a loop.

From the entrance mezzanine, the route passes through the living room, dining area and kitchen before reaching the roof of the former underground water reservoir. This is transformed into a raised, stone-built outdoor sitting area, positioned to take advantage of long views across the gorge.

A second route leads directly from the entrance towards the upper bedroom through a more discreet service corridor. The bedroom, in turn, opens through a wall-to-wall aperture onto another elevated outdoor lounge.

The house is therefore organized less as a conventional sequence of enclosed rooms than as a network of interconnected interior and exterior spaces.

 

Reusing the underground cistern

The lower level develops a more introverted atmosphere while maintaining selected visual connections with the landscape.

A relaxed “boys-and-books” room contains two sofa beds and small openings within the stone wall overlooking the gorge. From there, circulation continues to a vaulted bedroom, where a single window concentrates the distant view.

The central intervention at this level is the conversion of the existing water reservoir into an indoor swimming pool. Rather than removing the cistern, the architects retain and adapt it as one of the most distinctive spaces of the residence.

Indirect lighting emphasizes the enclosure and material character of the former reservoir. The pool also has independent access from the lower garden level, beside an open bathroom and shower, creating a direct relationship between the underground interior and the landscape outside.

 

Local construction and cultural references

The material palette deliberately combines elements associated with Mani with references drawn from the family’s different cultural backgrounds.

Existing stone walls are retained as the primary architectural material, while aged oak flooring and the timber roof reinforce the tactile character of the historic structures. Bronze details, reclaimed walnut panels and handcrafted Moroccan zellige tiles introduce additional layers without obscuring the original construction.

On the lower level, polished concrete floors establish a more restrained base alongside the stone masonry. Jade green and burgundy accents, white marble and timber furniture add colour and differentiate the individual rooms.

The result is not a uniform restoration palette, but a controlled coexistence of materials from different origins.

 

An India Yellow landmark

Externally, the house is distinguished by its India Yellow façade, a colour associated with the building’s earlier identity and retained as a recognizable presence within the village of Isna.

The colour differentiates the residence from the grey and earth-toned landscape without weakening the prominence of the original stone construction. Together with the restored timber elements and the limited new additions, it makes the different temporal layers of the building legible.

Paratiritirio ultimately treats restoration as a process of connection: between two existing structures, between interior and exterior routes, between a former water reservoir and a new domestic use, and between the architectural traditions of Mani and the cultural background of the family.

 

The project was first published in print in Maison de Campagne 2024.

In the traditional village of Vlachokerasia, a contemporary residence reconnects its owner with a family site in Arcadia, organizing private and communal functions on two levels while using stone, large openings and a restrained material palette to establish continuity between memory, architecture and landscape.

 

Patrion House in Arcadia by OfficeTwentyFiveArchitects is located in the traditional village of Vlachokerasia, on a plot closely connected with the owner’s family history. The site once contained the ruins of his great-grandfather’s home, making the new residence not simply an intervention in the Arcadian landscape but also a return to a place of personal and generational significance.

The architecture responds to this context through a clear two-level organization, extensive use of stone and large openings towards the surrounding terrain. Rather than reproducing local building forms literally, the project establishes continuity through material, proportion and its direct relationship with the landscape.

 

Private spaces within the terrain

The residence is organized across two levels according to a clear distinction between private and communal functions.

The lower level accommodates the quieter areas of the house, including the bedrooms and a playroom. Its position gives these spaces a more protected character and strengthens their relationship with the terrain.

Above, the communal functions are brought together around the kitchen and living room. Their arrangement around a central core creates a more open setting for daily life and social interaction, establishing a deliberate contrast with the more enclosed character of the lower level.

The vertical distribution therefore does more than separate functions: it creates two different spatial conditions, moving from retreat and privacy below to openness and gathering above.

 

Stone as a connecting material

Stone defines both the exterior character and the principal interior surfaces of the house.

Its continuous use across the envelope and selected internal walls reinforces the relationship between architecture and place while creating a material link between the site’s past and its contemporary occupation.

Rather than being treated as a decorative finish, stone gives the residence weight and a sense of permanence. Against it, large glazed openings introduce a contrasting degree of transparency, drawing daylight deep into the interior and opening uninterrupted views towards the Arcadian landscape.

The combination of solid stone surfaces and expansive glazing becomes the project’s principal architectural contrast: enclosure and exposure, material density and visual openness.

 

A restrained interior palette

The interior design by Stones & Walls follows the same restrained approach.

A soft, neutral palette is developed through wood, stone and metal, complemented by lighter textures and contemporary detailing. The interiors avoid excessive ornament, allowing the material qualities of the architecture and the views beyond the openings to remain prominent.

The use of timber introduces warmth alongside the more mineral character of the stone, while dark metal elements provide sharper accents and define individual details.

At the centre of the living area, a cast-iron fireplace operates as the principal focal point. Its strong material presence anchors the communal space without competing with the surrounding landscape.

 

Landscape, memory and contemporary living

The character of Patrion House emerges from the relationship between three elements: the family history associated with the site, the physical presence of the Arcadian landscape and the requirements of contemporary domestic life.

The residence does not attempt to reconstruct the past formally. Instead, OfficeTwentyFiveArchitects use the material continuity of stone, the organization of the house within the terrain and the framing of long views to establish a more indirect connection with the place’s history.

Inside, Stones & Walls extend this approach through a limited palette that remains closely tied to the architectural materials. The result is a residence where the distinction between tradition and contemporary design is deliberately softened: stone and landscape provide continuity, while generous openings, clear spatial organization and restrained detailing establish its present-day character.

 

The project was first published in print in Maison de Campagne 2025.

Located on a rocky hillside in Corfu, the summer residence was designed by Tony Wynbourne, Georgios Apostolopoulos and Makis Gisdakis. Organized along an east–west axis, the house opens towards uninterrupted 180-degree views of the sea and the surrounding landscape.

The architectural composition follows the terrain and incorporates existing natural elements into the experience of the house. A preserved olive tree occupies a central position, while exposed rock remains visible within the lower level. Local stone and large glazed openings establish a balance between solidity and openness.

 

 

Following the natural terrain

The residence is distributed across a ground floor, lower ground floor and mezzanine. This arrangement allows the building to respond to the changing levels of the hillside while maintaining a close relationship with the exterior.

On the ground floor, the plan is divided into two main zones. The principal bedroom occupies the western side, while the kitchen, living room and dining area are placed to the east. Large openings connect these spaces with the terraces and frame the view towards the sea.

The lower ground floor contains four additional bedrooms with private bathrooms and a small kitchenette. At the rear, the natural rock is incorporated into a quiet, cave-like retreat. Rather than concealing the terrain, the design brings its rough material character directly into the interior.

The repeated orientation towards the view creates a common spatial direction throughout the house. At the same time, the distribution across three levels allows the different sleeping and living areas to retain a degree of independence.

Two pools at different levels

Two swimming pools are integrated into separate parts of the hillside. On the upper level, a heated pool extends directly from the principal bedroom. Set beside the natural rock, it forms a more private water surface within the landscape.

The main pool occupies a lower terrace. Its long, calm surface aligns visually with the distant horizon, strengthening the connection between the residence and the sea.

The different position and scale of the two pools give each one a distinct role. The upper pool belongs to the more private part of the house, while the lower pool forms part of the shared outdoor spaces.

 

 

Local stone and restrained interiors

The exterior is clad in locally sourced stone, shaped by hand by local craftspeople. Its irregular surface connects the architecture with the rocky hillside and recalls the material character of Corfu’s traditional buildings.

Large windows and carefully resolved details introduce a contemporary contrast to the weight and texture of the stone. The relationship between solid walls and glazed openings also allows the landscape to remain visible throughout the interior.

Inside, the design is deliberately understated. Neutral materials, minimal lines and discreet joinery create a quiet setting for the views. The interiors do not compete with the surrounding landscape. Instead, they direct attention towards the sea, the natural rock and the changing daylight.

 

The project was first published in print in ek magazine 298 | June 2025, the monthly issue by ek Architectural Publications.

Keras Cliff House by Tzagkarakis + Associates is located outside Agia Galini in Rethymno, southern Crete. The residence occupies a natural plateau between a steep cliff and the surrounding mountains, with uninterrupted views across the southern Cretan Sea towards the uninhabited Paximadia islets.

Its composition draws on the “horns of consecration,” a recurring symbol of Minoan Crete. Rather than reproducing the motif as ornament, the architects use its geometry as a formal tool. Two curved wings follow the morphology of the site and open the house towards the sea.

 

 

A protected entrance and a sudden view

The entrance is positioned on the northern side of the residence. A floating concrete slab extends above a low wall, forming a sheltered threshold and introducing the project’s underlying geometric reference.

A continuous wall of local stone defines the northern boundary. Narrow vertical openings interrupt its otherwise solid surface, providing privacy while allowing controlled glimpses of the landscape.

This enclosed approach delays the principal view. Once inside, the stone wall gives way to a large opening towards the sea and Paximadia. The transition from the protected entrance to the open southern elevation establishes a gradual sequence of concealment and revelation.

Two curved residential wings

The house is divided into two main volumes. The western wing contains the interior living areas, which connect directly with the covered terraces and outdoor spaces. Wide openings allow the kitchen, dining room and sitting areas to operate as part of a continuous zone facing the sea.

The eastern wing accommodates four en-suite bedrooms arranged along an elongated corridor. At its far end, a small lounge frames a focused view of the Paximadia islets and provides a quieter destination away from the shared spaces.

Where the two wings meet, a central skylight introduces daylight from above. The space beneath it recalls the internal courtyard of traditional Cretan houses and acts as an orientation point from which the different parts of the residence become visible.

The ground-floor plan and cross-section published with the project clarify how the curved geometry follows the contours of the plateau. They also show the close relationship between the interior rooms, covered outdoor areas and changing levels of the landscape.

 

 

Stone, concrete and timber

The material palette responds to the raw character of southern Crete. Load-bearing walls of local stone form substantial boundaries, while exposed reinforced concrete extends across both enclosed and outdoor areas.

Concrete slabs continue beyond the glazed façades to create deep overhangs, pergolas and planted recesses. These elements provide shade and reinforce the visual continuity between the interior and the terraces.

Timber introduces a warmer and more precisely crafted layer. Custom sliding shutters protect the bedrooms and filter sunlight through their horizontal openings. The repeated use of stone, concrete and wood across interior and exterior surfaces gives the house a consistent material identity.

Nearly all construction work was undertaken by local craftspeople and crews. Their contribution is particularly visible in the stonework, the board-marked concrete and the purpose-made timber elements.

 

The project was first published in print in Maison de Campagne 2025, an annual edition by ek Architectural Publications.