chania summer house

project under construction, 2023
in collaboration with Giota Apostolopoulou & Alexandros Markantonakis

This project transforms an old, unused house in Chalepa, Chania into a contemporary summer villa. The renovation began with a detailed survey of the existing structure, followed by the careful demolition of selected interior walls to create an open, unified living area and two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. To enhance the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, the existing windows were extended into full-height doors, opening the house toward the renovated courtyard and allowing soft, natural light to flood the interior. The wooden roof was repaired and left exposed, its dark tones contrasting elegantly with the light marble floor and vibrant décor. The outdoor space complements the house with a built-in lounge doubling as the new entry space, a small lap pool and outdoor dining next to the kitchen. A continuous built-in unit integrates the living and dining areas, while part of the original stone wall is preserved both for structural stability and as a tactile reminder of the building’s history. The lighting design highlights key architectural features, particularly the timber roof and stonework, through the careful placement of hand-made clay wall appliqués that add warmth and character to the space.