ARCHITECTURAL STUDY – CONSTRUCTION – SUPERVISION BY ANAKTAE
The architectural study concerns the restoration of a traditional farmhouse and wine press on the island of Aegina. Built in the 1930s from the island’s characteristic blush-pink stone, the farmhouse originally overlooked a flourishing vineyard, with stunning views of the estate and the nearby sea. The structures were built in stages to accommodate the bare necessities for the farm workers who lived here during the summer grape harvest. In the late 1950s, the vines were replaced with pistachio trees, Aegina’s most famous crop. Over the years, the estate was abandoned and gradually began to crumble into the soft, fertile landscape.
The owners wished to restore the house with great sensitivity and respect for the local architecture and landscape. Using locally quarried stone, ANAKTAE pieced the puzzle of the stone walls back together again. The vaulted timber ceilings and slate floors were reconstructed, and new window frames installed. The outdoor oven was transformed into a petite guesthouse, while remaining faithful to the original design and materials.
The house offers cool respite from the intense summer heat and light, while celebrating the liberating energy of Greek summer. Open-plan spaces flow as one but can easily be reconfigured to accommodate different purposes or additional house guests. The fittings and furniture are stripped back to the essentials for easy-going island life – minimal, functional, versatile, relaxed.
Bamboo pergolas and terracotta terraces create additional outdoor living space. Simple stone benches along the property’s perimeter allow residents to immerse themselves in the sounds, colours, and scents of the landscape. A peaceful ode to human proportions and natural materials.
Main building: 70 m2
Guest houses: 25 m2
Open-air area: 180 m2
Total plot: 560 m2