A residence in Platis Gialos, Sifnos, situated on a 338.72 sq. m. lot, was renovated between 2018 and 2019 with the aim of unifying and modernizing it. The existing building, constructed in 1985, consisted of two separate residences on the ground floor and first floor, with a total area of 97.15 sq. m., plus additional storage and outdoor spaces.
The design focused on creating a single residence with a separate guesthouse through a comprehensive redesign of the floor plan and interior spaces, emphasizing functional clarity and spatial continuity. A decisive factor was the load-bearing structure consisting of load-bearing masonry, which limited the scope of intervention and required careful management. The connection between the two levels was achieved by creating an opening in the slab and installing an internal staircase, accompanied by reinforcements in the masonry and the roof to ensure structural adequacy.
In terms of exterior interventions, the cantilever of the first-floor balconies was removed, redefining the geometry of the building envelope, while the existing exterior staircase was also dismantled. Sifnos stone was used as the primary cladding material, applied using the dry-stone technique on selected elements, reinforcing the building’s connection to the local architectural idiom and the overall materiality of the composition.
The surrounding area is organized on a plot with a significant elevation difference and two entrances at different levels. A central element is the lateral staircase, which unifies the levels through an alternation of masonry steps and wooden treads. Linear planting follows along the path, while the remaining space is organized into distinct zones for seating, planting, and parking, creating a clear, functional, and balanced layout of the outdoor space.
