Restoration of an old house in Vourvoulos, Santorini

The project is a restoration and reconstruction of an old house in a traditional settlement of Santorini, called Vourvoulos. The old house was abandoned and in poor condition, but maintained some elements that revealed the character and the shape of the building. The stone walls were exposed in some places and the mix of local stones came through.
One of the first steps was to evaluate which elements could be reused and restored and which were crucial to be reconstructed. After solving the structural issues, the next step was to figure out the aesthetic aspects.
The stone walls were left exposed in the most part, in order to redefine the identity of the structure. Around the openings the walls were coated and curved, to create borders and highlight the contrasting, bright blue doors and shutters. The selected coating is of an earthy toned hue to blend with the stone and the landscape. The fence follows the continuous white form of the surrounding buildings, with a bright blue door marking the entrance.
Entering the plot, the courtyard offers an unobstructed view to the Aegean Sea.
The interior walls are made of a mixture of natural materials, such as limestone, clay and straws. The final result is covered and painted on the same pallet as the exterior. This vernacular method of construction of the interior walls, in combination with the benefits of the external, stone walls provides sustainable and comfortable living conditions throughout the seasons, without the use of artificial devices.
The layout consists of two spaces, an open floor area and a separate bedroom. The main space accommodates the kitchen, living room and dining area, along with an extra bed. All around the room, there is a border with hidden lighting, reflecting on the chamfered corners of the ceiling.