Villa retreat in Anavyssos

The complex comprises a mudbrick farmhouse dating back to the 1950s and a more recent residence built in the 1970s. Successive alterations had gradually compromised their original architectural character, resulting in a fragmented and partially disused ensemble. The architectural proposal aims to restore its coherence while preserving the distinctive qualities of each structure and introducing new, complementary functions.

The newer building is transformed into a contemporary residence and hospitality space. Its interior layout is reorganized, positioning private functions towards the rear, while communal areas extend towards the veranda and cultivated landscape. Enlarged openings and expansive glazing enhance natural daylight and establish a seamless connection between interior and exterior spaces, integrating the Mediterranean landscape into the everyday experience of living.

The original farmhouse acquires a renewed productive identity, accommodating a small-scale wine bottling and tasting facility directly connected to the estate’s vineyard. The preservation of its original built-in wood-fired oven and the restoration of its pitched timber roofs with traditional clay tiles highlight the building’s historical character. A structure that had lost its original purpose is reintegrated into the life cycle of the estate, reconnecting architectural heritage
with contemporary agricultural activity.

The two buildings are unified through a series of carefully articulated architectural interventions. A new structural element is introduced: a metal pergola supported by a solid framework of columns and beams, embracing and visually connecting the winery and the residence. Extending along the southern and eastern façades of the complex, the pergola primarily provides shade, complemented by climbing ornamental vegetation.

Its surface is articulated through a sequence of openings, creating an intermediate zone between the existing structures and their surroundings. Beyond its formal expression, this architectural element helps organize circulation, introduces spatial depth, and emphasizes the relationship between the different architectural layers.

The landscape design follows the geometry of the existing agricultural fields, organizing circulation routes, recreational areas, and productive activities. The cultivation of grapevines, olive trees, and organic vegetables reinforces the identity of the estate as a living, productive ecosystem.

Environmental sustainability lies at the heart of the proposal. The adaptive reuse of the existing structures minimizes the need for new construction, while the design incorporates provisions for the future integration of solar and wind energy systems. The ultimate objective is to achieve energy autonomy, allowing the complex to operate off-grid with a minimal energy footprint.

This axis functions as an organising mechanism, connecting the individual components of the complex while serving both visitor movement and the operational requirements of maintenance and service. This route operates simultaneously as an element of orientation and transition, ensuring access to specific areas such as the swimming pool and BBQ zone while also accommodating the operational requirements of maintenance, supply, and technical service.

Ultimately, the project proposes an alternative approach to contemporary living: not the replacement of the old with the new, but its creative continuation. An abandoned rural estate is brought back to life through renewed habitation and productive activity, transforming architectural reuse into an act of environmental and cultural regeneration.