Kamari Home

A couple, both artists, who have been living on the island for many decades, decided to build their home on the island. They have been looking for quite a while to find the ideal place to nest their dreams. We have restored, together, a neoclassical building that is hosting their Art School in Parikia, the capital of Paros, so they have commissioned me to build it since we have a common understanding about art and life. Their desire was a simple house, harmonized with the Cycladic architecture that, although new, would look ancient.

The construction is developed around a central courtyard, with a small cisterna to introduce the element of water in there and a wood oven to bake bread and pizza, protected from all winds. The two blocks of dining – kitchen and living area are set in a symmetrical order, heretically perhaps creating a V, with the criteria to best positioned in relation to natural light and the views both southwest and northwest. The corridor that unites them is arched as a reference to the arched chapels spread all over the Cycladic landscape. It is high so that the heat from the interior of the house is gathered there and is naturally ventilated by the two small windows placed for this purpose on the north and south wall of it.

As always, local stone is the dominant element and the way it is built reflects the tradition and the wisdom of local architecture. The construction will incorporate marble elements, as was done in many houses and monasteries of the island from antiquity.

We are looking forward to see it finished!