Tetris House is a residential project developed from an existing unfinished concrete frame, one of many structures left across the Greek landscape following a former regulation that allowed building permits to be extended through the construction of structural shells alone. When commissioned, the frame had remained idle for over a decade.
Retaining and adapting the structure became a strategic and sustainable decision, addressing environmental impact, economic efficiency, and regulatory constraints. Rather than imposing a new form, the project follows a process of selective subtraction and precise addition. Basic geometric volumes are inserted to redefine space, resolve the limitations of the inherited framework, and establish formal and programmatic clarity.
L-shaped and rectangular volumes are organised around a central pool, forming an inner courtyard that mediates between openness and privacy within a dense residential context. At ground level, this configuration proposes a communal mode of living centred on water rather than a conventional arrangement of rooms. The upper floor accommodates the living area and master suite, oriented toward both the port and the island’s northern landscape. Independent access via an external stair leads to the roof, which offers unobstructed views.
Passive environmental strategies are embedded within the architecture. Cross-ventilation, thermal insulation, and a skylight positioned above the internal stair transform it into a cooling chimney, while photovoltaic panels support the house’s energy needs. Native planting and optimised pool depth reduce water consumption. The project offers a replicable architectural response to unfinished structures, transforming regulatory residue into spatial and architectural value.