The Greek architectural studio Bobotis+Bobotis Architects completed the restoration and renovation of a private house in Tinos island, Greece. The house has two main floors with individual levels. The bottom floor (katoi) with a surface area of ​​65 m2., is located at the level of the main cobbled path of the village with direct access to it from two different entrances. The upper floor of an area of 75 m2., has access to the same cobbled path as well as to the garden on the protected northern side of the house.
The house was designed with respect to the traditional local architecture of the island, keeping its basic elements intact while converting some of the old functions of the house into functional elements of modern use, such as the winepress that was converted into an elevated bed with storage space. The layout is following the standard Tinian house layout, with some adjustments to accommodate the desired housing needs (i.e. larger kitchen and bathrooms). On the upper floor, which has a height of about 5m, a metal beam was placed to support the open loft with a double bed. At the garden, located at the back of the house, and in contact with the kitchen, a daybed was created, protected from the gusty north winds of the island.
From the garden, there is also access to the roof, on which seating levels were created with a panoramic view to the surrounding villages and Exomvourgo, site of the Venetian fortress of the island. To prevent moisture from appearing on the walls that are in contact with the ground, a “kontouto” was created around the walls, which is a naturally ventilated double-shell between the ground and the masonry, trapping water that eventually evaporates. All the living areas, on both levels of the house, are heated with a specially made wooden stove through pipes that distribute the hot air.