A summer house for a French couple sits on a hill in northern Kythera, with wide, uninterrupted views to the sea. Its additive volumes echo the local vernacular, where homes evolve over time through successive extensions. The building is formed by two units: a 140 m² north-facing main residence and a 50 m² south-facing guest house, joined by a sheltered courtyard that anchors the outdoor life of the complex. Additional open-air terraces unfold toward the horizon, offering protected living spaces throughout the day.
The site’s existing stone ruins define a viewing plateau and the beginning of a circular path across the 17-acre property shaped by dry-stone walls. Local craftsmanship is present in the white textured exterior plaster (“sardelaki”) and in the warm wooden pergolas connecting the volumes. Soft materials and light tones define the interiors, while precise openings frame distant views of the Peloponnese and intensify the sense of seclusion within the Mediterranean landscape.
Design - Construction: 2016-2019
Location: Kythera
Photos: Athina Souli