Petrovouni

View of the terrace on the upper level.

Project Details

• Project Name: Petrovouni
• Client: Peter Illsley and Rose Medlam
• Project Type: Residential design
• Principal Designer: Aiolou Architects
• Design Team: Eleni Tsigarida, Jamie Anderson
• Contractor: Takis Spiropoulos
• Date of commencement of project: May 2005
• Date of completion of project: June 2006
• Location of site: Mani, South Greece
• Site Area: 460 square meters
• Built-up Area: 140 square meters
• Cost of Construction: Euros 145,000

View of the terrace at the lower level of the house.

The Building

The site is located in the village of Aghia Sophia, parts of which date back to the 15th century.

The location boasts stunning views; to the sea, and to the Taygetos Mountains overlooking the village from the east.

The project involved the construction of a single family residence on the site of a run-down house dating back to the 17th century.

Interior view of the living area.

A tedious planning procedure that involved endless negotiations with the archaeological and building authorities led to a set of restrictions on the design.

The ruin material found on site had to be integrated into the design of the house, thus connecting it to its local surroundings and its past forms and materials.

The footprint of the original building, dug into the local bedrock was to be maintained; thus largely determining the form and volume of the new building.

View of the kitchen on the lower level.

The main living spaces were retained on the upper level and incorporated into an open plan design.

The reclaimed floor installed is thought to have originally been bought from a ruined church in Turkey.

The modern simple design of the kitchen balances the traditional windows and door fixtures that were designed and built to admit in maximum light.

The furniture was shipped from the UK and is a careful mix of the antique and modern styles, thus complementing the space.

The living area opens on to a breezy and shady terrace, with panoramic views into the mountains and to the sea. 

View of the different materials used in the interior and exterior of the house.

The stairs are set in wood on the upper levels and in stone on the lower level where the floor has a multiple coat cement finish.

The bedrooms enjoy ample cross ventilation and are open on to shady terraces and the garden.

View of the materials used in the walls.

The exterior stone walls have been built using the stones found on site and new stone from the same quarry.

The walls include bits of ceramic from the site, as did the original wall, and features the relief animal stones around entrances. Pointing was tinted with local sand to work with the stone.

View of the residence amidst its panoramic surroundings.

Terraces were laid with stone chosen for its similar color scheme, which along with old bricks as well as chiseled stone complement the overall design.

Credits

• Text: Courtesy of the architect
• Photographs by Nikos Xanthopoulos, Courtesy of the architect
• Compiled and edited by Manish Mehta