Located in Santorini’s traditional village of Oia, an old house gets a thoughtful update by Kapsimalis Architects, while maintaining the existing traditional architectural elements. The design firm paid particular attention to highlighting the diversity and value of the interior’s cavernous and vaulted spaces while emphasising the original craftsmanship.

Facing South to the island’s Volcano and the Aegean Sea, the villa cuts a familiar figure against the cliffs with a flat roof structure of different levels and a long vaulted building. Not uncommon in the area, part of the residence is cave-like. Two skylights let the natural light enter in, further creating a sense of being underground. The architects mostly maintained the interior’s vaulted and amorphous ceilings and curved walls intervening only to readjust the space for comfortable contemporary living.

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The outer layer of the main building is preserved and subtly reformed, while the exterior yard was given a modern update with a plunge pool, lounge area and a dining spot under a white metallic, circular sunshade. Exterior staircases lead up a level to the street entrance of the house.

Inside, large slabs of dark grey marble flooring and dark stained oak offset the white of the walls’ plaster. Parts of the furniture are built in and covered with white, local cement plaster, to further project the home’s ‘cocoon’ feeling. Inside follows on outside with warm white walls and the continuity of the grey marble flooring, paired with complementary marble, metal and wood furniture.

Kapsimalis Architects have discreetly renovated this traditional cave house to offer an eclectic and unique holiday home that pairs harmoniously with the existing structure’s exterior and interior form.

Vora Villas in Santorini, Greece by K-Studio.Designed by Athens-based K-Studio, Vora Villas is the true definition of a boutique hotel. There are only three rooms, carved into the side of a volcanic rock on the island of Santorini...

[Images courtesy of Kapsimalis Architects. Styling by Katia Maria Sarantidou. Photography by Yiorgos Kordakis.]