Chiara Armando has restored a historic house in Rethymno, Greece, originally designed as a courtyard, prioritising natural light and the original stone structure. The Secret Garden project features a Venetian-era portal, repurposed masonry, and an open-plan layout.
The Secret Garden, designed by Chiara Armando in 2023, is located in Rethymno, Greece. This project prioritises the essential, eliminating the superfluous to highlight the property’s original architectural elements. With a focus on ethical and social responsibility, the design seeks to give value to what you create by restoring historical features.
The interior was stripped down to its original structure, uncovering the stone walls that define the space. It was originally an Avlì, or courtyard, evidenced by several historical elements like a Venetian-era portal now inside the house. This portal, with decorative mouldings, once granted access to adjoining buildings. The facade facing the street features a different masonry texture, with small, high-positioned windows resting on a substantial base, suggesting a surrounding wall.
A secondary, less decorative access has been walled up and was later transformed into a drinking trough for animals. An intriguing slanted hole in the same wall hints at a drainage system, possibly from a kitchen. Three more blocked-up windows at a higher level suggest the lateral facades originally overlooked an open space.
Over time, the structure was enclosed and raised, likely due to housing demands. Exceptions include the rear part, which hosts the kitchen and originally featured a skylight that has been maintained in this renovation. The restoration involved removing deteriorating internal structures and enhancing the natural light, resulting in a spacious ground floor and two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms on the first floor.
A central staircase with a square plan connects the floors, while the volume containing the stairwell and bathrooms is positioned under the last slab of the structure, which was preserved and strengthened. This configuration allows for the creation of technical spaces in the false ceilings, accommodating the air conditioning system discreetly.
The renovation celebration of the original architectural features of the house. Armando’s design process focuses on ethical and social responsibility, prioritising the essential over unnecessary additions. This comprehensive approach echoes the design intent to value what you create, providing a thoughtful and environmentally conscious living space.
A thorough historical analysis and sensitive approach to restoration allowed for the discovery of the house’s rich past, highlighting elements like decorative mouldings typical of Venetian architecture. By adapting to modern living requirements, the design simultaneously respects and preserves the building’s historical and architectural significance.
