Ino Residence by 3H_ARCHITECTS

Ino Residence, designed by Greek studio 3H_ARCHITECTS, involved the “complete renovation and redesign” of a stone property in Western Mani, Greece.

The structure was abandoned and dilapidated, with the property consisting of an old stone house and a later addition.

In the update, 3H_ARCHITECTS sanitised and strengthened the shells, removed external balconies, and internally linked the rooms to create a cohesive home.

“Both the existing stone building and the later addition were in a state of complete abandonment and decay,” the studio said. “The primary goal was the initial sanitisation and strengthening of both shells.”

3H_ARCHITECTS stripped the external balconies on the eastern facade. This aligned the addition with the old stone residence, creating a cohesive frontage.

“The frames are adjusted in height in order to emphasise the internal communication and connection of the two buildings,” the studio said.

Inside, the stone walls of the original structure remained exposed, and the studio added metallic details including a pergola and steel external staircase.

The exposed stone structure contrasts with the white walls in the later addition, highlighting the architectural heritage.

“The intervention in the existing residence mainly concerned internal demolishing, remodelling, and at the same time, the sanitisation of the external stone, the roof, the restoration of the balconies and the addition of metal elements,” the studio said.

The ground floor of the stone structure features a living room, dining area, storage areas, and a bathroom in the building’s vaulted room. The later addition features the kitchen and a guest bedroom.

Four bedrooms are on the first floor, divided by partitions and linked through a corridor.

The furnishings, decorative elements, and furniture offer contrasting earthy tones. This nods to the building’s material palette and the surrounding local vernacular.

“The materials are chosen accordingly in order to harmonise with the stone, the new frames, as well as the colour palette of the surrounding traditional architecture: colours of earthly tones and wooden elements,” the studio said.

Finishing the abode, a metal pergola shades a weather-treated wooden table on the terrace for outdoor dining.

The update included landscaping the garden across the two levels. It uses a stone retaining wall to divide the pool with outdoor relaxation and dining area.

On the upper level, adjacent to the ground floor, the outdoor dining table is sheltered by a pergola and connects to the terrace.

On the lower level, a linear swimming pool with exterior seating is surrounded by a landing of mosaic tiles in earthy tones, complementing the surrounding stone border.

“The surrounding shell was treated with bioclimatic design,” the studio said. “Taking advantage of the existing height difference, outdoor courtyards are created in two levels: on the level of the residence, an outdoor dining area under a pergola, while on the lower level, a swimming pool with outdoor relaxation areas at its perimeter.”