Georgina Andrei has transformed a modest 1920s stone house in Crete into a calm, contemporary family home that feels both rooted and subtly forward-looking. The project brings together two parts: the restoration of the original house and a new, single-storey extension added on top. Built nearly a century ago to accommodate refugees, the existing structure carries a layered history. Rather than smoothing this over, the design allows it to remain visible, -no longer hidden-, but gently reclaimed with confidence. The extension is deliberately lightweight. A metal frame supports a timber roof fitted with solar panels, while a loft space is tucked within, adding an extra layer of living. It sits in contrast to the heavy stone base below, but the relationship between the two feels balanced rather than abrupt. Inside, the focus is on clarity and ease. Clean volumes, pale colors and filtered light create a soft, open atmosphere. The spaces flow naturally, with high ceilings enhancing a sense of airiness throughout the home. On the ground floor, where the shared areas are located, traces of the old house are still present. Original elements have been carefully kept and integrated into the design, including small details like a century-old roof ornament that quietly connects the house to its past. Upstairs, the mood shifts slightly. The bedrooms play with different ceiling heights and framed views of the city, creating moments that feel more open and optimistic. Thereโs a sense of looking outward here, both physically and emotionally. What makes the project stand out is its honesty. It doesnโt try to erase what came before or fully merge old and new into one language. Instead, it lets them sit side by side. The result is a home that feels personal and grounded, one that acknowledges its origins while making space for something new to grow.
Georgina Andrei layers history and light in Cretan stone house extension
