Beachhouse in Agia Kyriaki | ARP - Architecture Research Practice

This project involves the renovation of a small beach house on the Cycladic island of Antiparos, initially built in the 1980s. Located next to the Byzantine church of “Agia Kyriaki” (Saint Sunday, from which it takes its name), the building's outline remained intact, as current regulations prohibit any rebuilding on this site due to its proximity to the sea and its archaeological significance.

The house is preserved among ceramic antiquities. The choice of materials is simple and evokes the spirit of older houses built on the island. The ceramic tiles reference both this more recent architectural heritage and the ceramics found on-site during archaeological excavations. Marble from the neighboring island of Naxos was sourced for the kitchen countertop and bathrooms. Simple traditional openings made of pressed wood, with dimensions thoughtfully adjusted, are in keeping with the house's character, while accommodating modern needs.

The layout is straightforward—three rooms sit right on the beach alongside a semi-open space. The rooms include a kitchen and two bedrooms, with three bathrooms serving all of them. French-style moveable white shutters add flexibility to the semi-open space, which serves as the heart of daily life, providing an ideal gathering spot during hot summer afternoons for lunch and post-swim relaxation. The landscaping interventions are minimal, including a vegetable garden and soccer field where the family congregates during the summer.

Design team: Argyro Pouliovali, Sofia Xanthakou, Eva Alberini, Nora Delidimou, Nicole Kotsis, Marilena Stavrakaki, Anna-Maria Labrinopoulou

Mechanical Engineers: PG Kamarinos

Structural Engineers: Erisma

Interiors: Anna Maria Coscoros

Landscape Architect: SKAPE Ltd

Photography: Giulio Ghirardi (https://giulioghirardi.com/)

General Contractor: Doriki Techniki