The Yard | Limassol, Cyprus

Traditional extension

The project’s aim is the preservation and restoration of a listed building and its transformation into a residence for a modern family.

Sustainable Design Strategy

The first step was to demolish parts of the building, restoring it to its original form, significantly expanding the inner courtyard (yard) and allowing sunlight to access the interior space. The yard becomes the protagonist of the space and is comprised of a plethora of trees, low vegetation and an orthogonal pool. It also acts as the main circulation area that provides access to the interior. Finally, the residence’s optimal orientation and relationship to the yard offers an abundance of thermal comfort and natural ventilation to the space.

House Extension & Materials

The new additions follow the traditional design aesthetic and philosophy of the original structure. The connection joint between the listed building and the extension is carefully designed to prevent any damage caused by earthquakes, by becoming thermally insulated and waterproofed, while a small gap highlights the difference between the two volumes.

Great emphasis is placed in the overall material selection. The two buildings are harmoniously connected through distinctive colors as well as forms. The newly built rectangular volumes that accommodate the new functions are painted in natural colors to match the traditional aesthetic. Furthermore, red is used extensively in order to match the traditional Limassol roofs scattered throughout the city.

Spatial Organization

The entrance to the residence is through the foyer that leads to a semi-autonomous room that functions as an office, a workshop or a guest room and provides direct access to the courtyard. The right wing of the building includes the living room, dining area, kitchen and the two bedrooms organised in a linear arrangement. Special attention is given to the bathroom’s design, both in terms of materials and form: an excavated bathtub is clad in green tiles in an attempt to extend the yard’s nature-like aesthetic to the residence’s interior.