Kelly Spanou updates traditional Tinos dwelling with monolithic stone-and-concrete interiors

Architect Kelly Spanou has renovated and extended a former rural outbuilding on the Greek island of Tinos. The 115-square-metre structure was transformed into a tactile home shaped by the irregularities of its original fabric.  Arranged across two levels that step down the site’s natural slope, the house reveals layers of its history through exposed stone walls, concrete surfaces and restored structural elements. New additions in wood and marble were introduced alongside them. Spanou embraced the absence of right angles, using this to guide a fluid spatial layout centered around movement and continuity. A ground-floor extension adds a bedroom and bathroom, while a monolithic kitchen island made from concrete and stone anchors the living spaces, allowing circulation to flow freely around it. Timber partitions help define different areas while also providing storage. New openings and window frames strengthen the connection to the surrounding landscape. Outside, a swimming pool, outdoor kitchen and planted areas establish a dialogue between the architecture and its island setting. Together, the old and new materials create a tactile environment that reflects the landscape and character of Tinos.