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In the bay of Ysternia, in Tinos, on an imposing rock in front of the sea, stands a building constructed in the 80's, originally intended to serve as a hotel. This is the reason for its current image.

This specific location was the core for the approach of architectural design.  The aim is to improve its aesthetics and to respond to modern residential needs, especially in the summer season, by designing independent luxury residences. 

      During the first visits to the project site and moving around the inside, what was clearly captured was the sense of floating that it exudes. We chose to keep and emphasize this feeling mainly through the redesign of the exteriors, which had been damaged. 

     To restore its total appearance, to reduce its size and make it appear as a continuity of the rock, the two lower levels were covered with stone, of the same tone as that on which it rests, to integrate it into the surrounding area. 

      The direct interaction with the coastal landscape of the bay of Ysternia led to the choice of the palette of materials used, with the main characteristic being the use of metal corten in the cladding of the balcony and parapets. The characteristic of this material is that it has the effect of the external environment and corrosion on its surface, so it is in direct agreement and dialogue with the effect of the sea on the structure. This is an attempt to reflect the transformation that the passage of time brings to the structure from the beginning.

      Morphologically, the dialogue with the sea can be seen in the wave that is attempted to be created by the sequence of the extrusions and the alternation of their shape, both along the same level and per level. The metal balconies are enclosed by architectural projections that frame the view of the sea and reinforce this architectural “wave ".

 

      Building-wise, the project involves the design of eight independent residences, divided into two on each level of the building. Each house is designed to serve four people and includes a living, kitchen, and dining area and two bedrooms with two bathrooms. Emphasis was placed on creating, of sufficient areas, outdoor spaces, and outdoor living areas.

The study concerns the design of a complex of three residences within the traditional settlement of Arnados, in the Municipality of Tinos.

The main factors were to make the best possible use of the southern sunlight and the view, protection from the northern winds and at the same time integration into the topography of the area and the architectural settlement environment.

At the same time, the aim is for each of them to operate independently, ensuring their privacy, but the combination of the three to form a single whole and reflect the sense of belonging to it.  We have therefore chosen to design the houses on either side of two imaginary axes, which in fact represent the main axes of movement to and from them. These axes separate the volumes from each other but at the same time unify them at their intersection. The above intersection point acts as a focal point for the residents to meet and socialize and is the gathering point for all the collective activities of the complex (communal bosom and ancillary spaces). Finally, in order to integrate the building into the topography, a scaling of the volumes is sought, starting from the street level and following the slope of the ground.

More specifically, the project concerns the design of three detached houses, one two-storey and two ground floors with basement. The placement of the houses on the plot was made with a view to the best possible integration into the traditional settlement, without harming the adjacent properties and respecting the scale of the site as follows: The two-storey dwelling is placed in the north-western part of the plot, at the junction of the country road and the municipal road - path, which is adjacent to the western boundary of the property. Through the above design proposal and not covering the entire northern boundary of the plot with a building, it is sought to protect, to the maximum extent possible, the view of the building located upstream of the road. At the same time, a second volume - an architectural projection - is created in this building, with reference to the geometric openings found in the dovecotes of Tinos. With respect to the above traditional architecture, an attempt is made to borrow these characteristics in order to highlight them through modern design and appropriate lighting. Each of the remaining two houses consists of two levels, ground floor and basement.

The design of the openings was made with a view to the best connection between the interiors and the open-air - courtyards and the framing of the particular characteristics and views towards the surrounding area: the view towards the surrounding settlements , the sea and the dovecote to the west of the house.  Finally, to improve the quality of ventilation and lighting of the underground spaces, the skylights on the respective basement facades contribute to the improvement of the ventilation and lighting quality, as well as the creation of a skylight space in the residential areas with the basements

Αn effort is made to integrate the houses into the natural and residential environment, so that the houses that will be erected will interact with it in a gentle way and without the desire to impose.
The main design axes are the best possible use of the southern sunlight and the view, protection from the northern winds and at the same time the removal from the road network with which the parcel is adjacent on its northern side.
At the same time, the aim is for each one to ensure its privacy but the combination of the three to form a single whole.  Therefore, we chose to place the houses at an angle to each other with a simultaneous rotation of the imaginary central axis of each one. This shape is reinforced by the masonry walls, which form the main axes of the composition.
More specifically, the project concerns the design of three detached houses with swimming pools, with a total area of 214.92 sq.m.. Each dwelling consists of two levels, ground floor and basement. The interior design and the configuration of the spaces of each has a similar structure as they consist on the ground floor level of a kitchen, living room, WC, bathroom and one or two bedrooms, while in the basement are the auxiliary spaces of these : mechanical rooms, storage rooms and wc. At the ground floor level, both the view of the living areas and the view of the bedrooms of each dwelling consist of large sections of glazing, which serve to eliminate the boundary between the interior and exterior environment, ensuring the best possible natural lighting for the living of the users and the creation of larger open spaces during the summer period. At the same time, it is proposed to install movable wooden shades on the outside of the courtyards, which on the one hand protect the outdoor and indoor areas from solar radiation and on the other hand help to ensure that the facades of the buildings are constantly changing according to the user and the passage of time, both in terms of the daytime and the season. In addition, this element reduces the scale of the glazing in the overall composition. Finally, the improvement in the quality of ventilation and lighting of the underground spaces is enhanced by the use of skylights on the respective sides of the basement and the creation of a lightwell in each house.
Regarding access to the residences, initially the user approaches and enters the open space of the plot from the entrance created at the western boundary of the plot. The location of this access was chosen in order to be more protected from the main road. Then, through the landscaping, the entrance to each detached house is made through an external corridor along the main volume of each house. This corridor is defined by the main volume of each dwelling and by the masonry wall, which forms the boundary between it and the adjacent dwelling. At the same time, the shading of this route is achieved by the construction of a pergola made of concrete beams, which are a continuation of the roof slab material of the buildings. As regards access to the basement area, this is provided from inside the house via a staircase. The roof above this staircase, like the external corridor, is made of concrete beams with sections of glazing between them. The purpose of the above is to provide more natural light to the basement space.
The materials chosen are natural and rough, which maintain a simplicity but at the same time enhance the dynamics of the design and emphasize its geometry. On the main vertical axes, stone is used, with main reference to the material of the site , while on the intersecting horizontal slabs, exposed concrete is used. The exterior and interior walls are made of coloured plaster in RAL 9003 in light tones while the window frames are in RAL olive green . Finally, the movable sunshades located on both sides of each house will be made of wood.  All the above colour tones are drawn from the palette offered by the natural and rough environment of Tinos and enhance the integration of the construction into it.
 

Sōma is a compound from the words solid mass and a conceptual synonym from the etymology of the ancient Greek “body”. The building is integrated with the ground creating the ultimate unity.

The dynamics of the above is stated through the angled engravings, turning the composition into a landscape architecture. The steep, rough and rocky landscape of Tinos was the inspiration for these engravings which define the points where the ground rises to reveal its essence.

The sense of complete integration is also reinforced by the accesses. The user initially perceives the landscape by moving across it, gathering sensations from the materials, nature and views that compose it. He then enters it through the slots created by the movement stairs, in order to go to the level of the main spaces of the residence, where the sensation of surprise, of revealing the landscape for the second time, takes place.

The three subterranean residences follow the above geometry in such a way that they all take advantage of the southern orientation, framing along their entire length the view towards the bay of St. John. At the same time, the slope of the land favours the avoidance of direct visual contact between them, making each one completely private.

In plan, the layout is linear, while the facades, consisting of large sections of glazed windows throughout the height of the space, eliminate any boundary between inside and outside. The porches, in continuity with the roof slab, extend along their entire length, penetrating into the ground and emphasizing the geometry of the composition.  At the same time, they serve to shade and protect the spaces from intense sunlight.
 
Each residence consists of an open plan living and dining area, while on either side of it are bedrooms with private bathrooms and utility rooms. All the spaces have visual escapes to the sea and the Aegean Sea, while the outdoor space with the submerged seating areas and the swimming pools follow the angled engravings, having reference to the largest part of the house.

The materials, rough and natural, have reference to the qualities and textures of the place and reflect its spirit. The stone retaining walls and building facades are intertwined with walls and linear elements of plaster, in earthy tones, which, combined with the existing planting of thyme and topiary, capture the dynamics of the Tinian landscape.


 

The study concerns the design of two residences with guesthouses and small-scale swimming pools within the traditional settlement of Arnados, in the Municipality of Tinos.
The primary material for the creative process was, on the one hand, the "handmade" natural environment of Tinos, with the countless "stairs and, on the other hand, the buildings known as ‘kelia’, which are found throughout the island and are fully integrated as a form with this landscape.
Based on all of the above, a grounding of the architectural composition is sought in a variety of ways:
The residences are structured on one level, throughout their entire length and are adapted to the natural environment, leaving the second to continue its natural presence on either side and above them. All four houses are developed on the east-west axis, with the northern side of the houses joining the ground, protecting the buildings from the wind and at the same time revealing the southern side to the view of the surrounding settlements and the Aegean Sea.
Overall, the composition aims to reinforce the inseparable connection between landscape and residence, through both the human experience of them, which starts from the path and continues with the transition from it through the plot of land to the open space of the residence first and then inside it.
Highlighting all those features that make up the rural landscape of the area was the central design focus: The path - a backbone, which runs along the entire length of the north-eastern boundary of the plot, is the one that connects the settlement with the intervention area and leads in a chain from one house to the other.
Each of the residences consists of a linear arrangement of volumes, on the east-west axis, alternating both in terms of their cladding material (white plaster and stone) and in terms of their position, with the second ones moving back to the north. In this way, the houses are organically tied to the ground, turning their backs to the air and creating protected open spaces, while also taking advantage of the view of the surrounding settlements and the Aegean Sea. All of the above leads to a compact pattern of architectural, geometric and topographical features of the Tinian natural and man-made landscape.
Starting from house A,  access to it begins from the stepped municipal path. The resident then enters the plot and on foot approaches the first stone cube, which acts as a patio and entrance threshold to the house. In this way a sensory escalation is sought in terms of the resident's perception from the outside to the inside.. On the outside, in the recesses created by the retreat of the volumes, the open spaces of the house, such as the living and dining room, are designed, as well as green spaces with olive trees.
In continuation of the open space of dwelling A, the transition to dwelling B - the guest house - is made. This dwelling, is of smaller surface area. In terms of volume, it is chosen here to emphasize the cube shape, made of stone, in reference to the archetypal form of stone cells found on the island.
Finally, we find the remaining two houses. The entrance is also made here from the same path that runs through the plot to the east. Between dwelling C and D, a space is planned with a stone perimeter, which has the role of a connecting link between them, as a patio - threshold. This space, leads to the entrances of the two houses in opposite directions. House D, consists of two-room rooms ( living room - kitchen) and a bedroom and bathroom area in continuation of the previous ones. In house C the entrance is placed in the living room area. This volume, is located in the center of the floor plan. This design was intended to provide privacy to the bedroom spaces by dividing them at the two ends.
The dormers of the white render-faced volumes continue the natural ground with the planting that the study area displays, so that the overall image does not impose itself on the larger whole and is in harmony with it
The materials chosen are natural and rough and serve the architectural design, capturing and emphasizing the geometric shapes chosen and the perception of the set of sensory stimuli it wants to evoke. The alternation of volumes is emphasized by the alternation of stone and white plaster on them. The stone is chosen to clad the volumes with the cubic character so that the reference to the cells is evident. Continuing and with the use of local materials in mind, grey marble is used in the presses and aprons of the openings ( doors and windows) , which remain external and visible in order to be imprinted on the facades of the project. Finally, the pergolas in the courtyards of the houses will be made of wood.  All the above colour tones and external geometric features are drawn from the palette offered by the natural and residential environment of Tinos.

 

The hotel consists of a reception area and a breakfast room with a bar, while its capacity is 8 rooms and one suite. All have a private terrace, and most have a private jacuzzi. The above are developed on the ground and first floor, while the basement level has utility rooms and a kitchen.
The diversity in the design of the rooms provides multiple possibilities for the visitor, with different visual escapes to the landscape and the sea, as well as unique living experiences with the water element.
The swimming pool, a central element of the architectural composition, develops linearly along the main facade of the building, in direct relation to the ground floor rooms and their terraces, while in its western part and outside the reception area and the indoor breakfast room, there is an outdoor seating area and a relaxation area with low seating. The composition is framed by wooden pergolas, creating interesting alternations of light and shadow.
The entrance to the complex is through the large courtyard door, built of black local stone, the mantra, which on the one hand delimits the private outdoor space and on the other hand forms and is a natural continuation of the path - backbone of the settlement. Through the outdoor configurations and green spaces, the visitor approaches the reception area with the characteristic custom-made furniture. Continuing this space, but distinctly separated using Klostra, is the breakfast room and bar area.
Inside the rooms the structure is free form, with the bathroom in an open plan layout and a private wc. The prevailing color tones are earthy with reference to the volcanic landscape, while the openings frame the sea view.
The alternation in the scale of the open and closed spaces and the design of the circulation zones form different degrees of privacy and relaxation, meeting every nee

The study concerns the design of a ground floor house of load-bearing masonry, in the traditional settlement of "Volax".
The wider area of the settlement of Volax is one of the most characteristic areas of Tinos geologically, due to the scattered granite rocks found in it. The canvas for the creative process was therefore the special natural landscape, with the aim of the architectural composition to draw elements and to be fully integrated as a form into it. Based on all of the above, a grounding of the architectural composition is sought in a variety of ways.
Morphologically, the residence is developed at ground level, in direct contact with the terrain, following the elevation curves and its gentle slope, on the north-south axis, without altering those elements that make it up, such as the dry stone walls and granite blocks, leaving them to maintain their natural presence. Moreover, the architecture of the residence borrows the scattered form in which the rocks are arranged around the perimeter and carries it forward by combining individual blocks of stone, which form the living spaces and which are separated by open spaces for movement and standing.  Finally, the repetition of the archetypal shape of the masonry cube in the composition's sculptural approach is an additional reference to the samples of local architecture. Overall, the composition aims to reinforce the inseparable connection between landscape and residence, through the experiential experience of the human being in them. The first visit to the parcel of land led to the recording of the rocks, with the intention that the living spaces would act as observatories and frame the entire natural landscape around the residence.

More specifically, the project concerns the design of a ground floor, mainly summer residence with a swimming pool and outdoor seating. The structure of the residence seeks to accommodate multiple occupancy scenarios and create spaces with flexibility in the mode of use.
The central element of the composition is the pergola patio, located after the large external patio door. From this point, the entrance to the main body of the residence, but also to the individual rooms - guest rooms, through outdoor paths and to the auxiliary storage area, is made from this point. At the same time, it is proposed to plant a tree centrally to reinforce the inseparable connection of the architecture with nature and to create suitable conditions for cooling and shading during the day, as this space is multidimensional, creating feelings of reception, hospitality, socializing and meeting.

The materials chosen are natural and rough and serve the architectural design, capturing and emphasizing the geometric shapes chosen and the perception of the set of sensory impulses it wants to evoke. The alternation of volumes and the use of stone emphasizes the solidity of the composition and reinforces its grounding. Continuing and with the use of local materials in mind, grey marble is used in the presses and aprons of the openings , which remain external and visible in order to imprint them on the elevations of the project and on the perimeter frames of the larger openings.  All the colour tones and external geometric features are drawn from the palette offered by the natural and residential environment of Tinos.



 

The main challenge was to integrate a project of this scale into the coastal landscape. The hotel is therefore broken down into nine smaller volumes, alternating in material and height, following the character of local architecture. Stone cubes attach around them, creating sheltered outdoor spaces for each room.

At the heart of the complex runs a central path, the backbone. Angled lines start at street level, guide the visitor towards the reception and then shape the path, framing views as they go. Moving from south to north, the outdoor spaces become gradually smaller and more private: first an open garden zone with an outdoor gym and a yoga platform, then the central path, and finally narrower branches leading to the rooms.

The complex offers 20 rooms and suites with open-plan layouts, oriented south-east and south-west for light and views to the sea. Ground-floor rooms open onto stone patios with wooden pergolas and small private hot tubs, protected from the northern winds. Upper rooms open onto terraces and balconies. The reception, lounge and restaurant form the social core, with an outdoor dining area set within a large stone cube. A gym, sauna and massage area, two swimming pools and three fully accessible rooms complete the programme.

The materials are natural and rough: stone walls and paths in dialogue with earth-toned plastered volumes, wooden frames and pergolas. The existing reeds around the plot are preserved, and the gardens are planted with thyme, phrygana and lavender. The result reflects the palette of the Tinian landscape and its summer atmosphere.

The project concerns the design of a summer residence with a guest house and outdoor living area. The structure of the residence seeks to accommodate multiple occupancy patterns and to take maximum advantage of the possibilities provided by the site layout.
The study consists of two sub-volumes. The first refers to the main residence, while the second and smaller in size has the use of the guest house. Both buildings have independent access entrances from the path. Between the two is planned the open-air living - dining area, as a vital space for socializing and staying overnight especially during the summer months. This area is protected by a wooden pergola and natural covering material.
Moving from the village towards the area of the intervention, at the north-western end, we first find the entrance of the main residence. In order to make use of the triangular shape, which the plot displays at this point, a yard is designed which acts as an intermediate transition link, from the public space - path , to the completely private interior space of the residence. Passing the entrance threshold, there is the living room area . From this point, there is visual contact with the lower level of the dining room and kitchen, and they are connected by an open staircase adjacent to the north wall. In this wall, openings are designed to provide overlooking of the path and the rock behind it. From the level of the common areas of the kitchen/dining room, a discharge to the outdoor dining area is made. This area has a greater internal height and has openings on the south and east elevations, providing uninterrupted views to the sea.  
Finally, from this level, the successive sequencing of spaces is completed, moving to the lowest elevation level, where the bedroom with private bathroom and outdoor sitting area is located.
As for the building of the guesthouse, it is two-storey and can function as an auxiliary to the residence or independently with an entrance from the path. On the ground floor level , there is the bedroom area, with a discharge to the outdoor dining area. In addition, this space has a vertical opening to the south side with a small discharge and unobstructed views. Upstairs, is a small sitting/bedroom area and bathroom.
Overall, in order to minimise the footprint of the project and to ensure that the image of the whole complex is in harmony with the wider area, the elevation on the path is at one level and part of it below the above height, rather than a continuous single frontage, so as not to hide the view of the bay and sea from the walker, nor to create a sense of a narrow passage in conjunction with the steep cliff on either side of the path.
The design of the windows was based on the best connection between the interiors and the outdoor living areas and the framing of the special features and views to the sea and the surrounding area. At the same time, in all the openings of the elevations, it is proposed to create a perimeter frame made of pieces of grey and white Tinos marble and timber frames. French-style shutters with blinds are proposed to be placed inside the openings, which on the one hand have the purpose of protecting the interior from solar radiation but also contribute aesthetically by adding an additional element of traditional architecture. The colour of the proposed frames is that of natural wood. These colours are consistent with the colour of the local stone (grey - brown) which will be used as the main facing material in the study and with the natural landscape of Tinos.


 

The project concerns the design of a residential complex within the traditional settlement of Falatados, in Tinos. It brings together a main residence and four smaller apartments for short-term stay, each fully independent and private, yet part of a single whole.

The central idea is the seam. The white volumes are not independent buildings but connecting cores, inserted between the stone cubes and intersecting them at right angles. A seam joins pieces of fabric while each keeps its own character. In the same way, these volumes connect without merging, turning separate dwellings into one spatial experience.

The complex follows the gentle slope of the land instead of levelling it. The apartments step down gradually towards the north, each with its own view of the granite landscape, a shaded west-facing living area and a small private courtyard. The main residence sits lower, to the west, where an alternation of volumes and open spaces gives every room its own outdoor extension. A central outdoor path links the two, serving as both access and shared space. Seen from a distance, the complex reads as a cluster of low volumes, closer to a small settlement than to a single building.

The materials are few and local: stone, white plaster and wood. Openings sit deep within the stone walls or beneath wooden pergolas, creating shade and a sense of shelter. Low Mediterranean planting and aromatic plants grow between the stone walls and the natural rocks, so that the architecture blends into the landscape of Tinos.

The plot lies between two roads, a provincial road to the south and a municipal road to the north, with a difference in height of one storey between them. Along its eastern boundary stands a small heroes’ monument. The design responds to both: it keeps a respectful distance from the monument and makes full use of the access from both roads.

The complex consists of two two-storey buildings set apart from each other. The northern one holds a two-level residence, while the southern one contains two independent apartments, one on each floor. A planted zone runs along the entire eastern side, separating the architecture from the monument.

From the provincial road, a stepped outdoor path, partly covered by pergolas, crosses the plot from south to north and leads to each dwelling. Framed by the planting on one side and a stone wall on the other, it offers shade and coolness during the day and becomes a shared space of everyday encounter. The courtyards and planted islands along it form a network of small places to pause, reinforcing the sense of a neighbourhood.

Each dwelling has its own private outdoor space. The ground-floor apartment opens onto a courtyard sheltered by the stone wall, the upper apartment onto a roof terrace, and the residence onto outdoor seating areas on both its levels, with a second entrance from the municipal road. Large openings face south for light and sun, while smaller ones to the north protect from the wind.

The materials are natural and rough: local grey-brown stone, wooden frames with traditional louvred shutters and wooden pergolas. All colours and forms are drawn from the natural and built landscape of Tinos.

The extension was designed with respect for both the existing hotel and the traditional architecture of Foinikia. Rather than standing out as a separate addition, the new volumes extend the original composition and adopt its architectural language.

They follow the scale and morphology of the settlement and use the same materials and colours as the original building, drawn from the volcanic landscape of Santorini. In this way, the boundary between old and new disappears, and the complex continues to grow as an integral part of the village.