Patitiri, which translates to “winepress” in Greek, is a historic stone building constructed between 1933 and 1936 on the shore of Antiparos, a small island in the Cyclades. People would gather here to practice the traditional wine-making process of grape stomping —stepping barefoot on grapes placed in vats to release their juices and begin fermentation. Ancient traces found in the sea reveal that people have been growing vines in this area since antiquity. Over time, through various changes in ownership, Patitiri has transformed into a beautiful beachfront getaway.
Our first important decision was to respect the building’s idiosyncratic character and treat it as a restoration project, despite its lack of official heritage listing. The building’s landmark status on the island and its role in the collective memory of the place guided our preservation approach. We maintained the exterior intact, restoring and regrouting the exposed stone walls where necessary. The only outdoor additions were a reclaimed marble sink on the exterior counter and a custom-designed Dionysos marble table. We also changed the shutters from dark brown to light blue to enhance the seaside atmosphere.
For the interiors, we preserved existing materials while introducing white-painted solid oak wood and Naxos marble from the neighboring island. We approached the layout like acupuncture—making small, strategic changes for maximum impact. Our interventions focused on rearranging interior spaces, particularly the bathrooms and kitchen cabinetry, to improve functionality. The combination of natural, local materials with clean lines creates harmony between vernacular and contemporary aesthetics. This thoughtful balance of past and present extends throughout the architectural details and furnishings chosen for the summer residence.