House in the medieval Kastro of Parikia, Paros island by G+A Evripiotis

Angeliki Evripioti lives and works in Paros as an architect since 2010. In 2019 she and her partner decided to renovate a house in “Kastro” of Parikia, in order to use it as their permanent residence.

They were looking for a shelter-fortress in the center of the traditional settlement where the use of cars is not allowed, most of the residents are permanent and life is almost at the same pace all year round. The house is located opposite the eastern surviving part of the Castle, a reference point in Parikia. The building has always been a stone-built ground floor house, and in 1973 it was transformed into a two-storey residence. The main goal of the renovation was the functionality and the lighting of the 80 sq. space. Although the house is located in the center of the traditional settlement, the owners decided to give a more urban character to the interior. Externally, the architect respected the traditional Cycladic motif – white faces, small openings and wooden frames.

On the ground floor, the metal staircase dominates, leading to the first floor. The vestibule of the house is formed by a piece of furniture made of Cretan marble. All the living areas are located on the ground floor which has only one front view and there are no walls but only “transparent” metal dividers. The kitchen is located at the back of the ground floor and is lighted by an opening skylight on the roof. The materials used are mostly local: marble from Tinos, Paros and Crete on the furniture, coatings and mosaics with aggregates from the Paros quarry on floors and walls. Mid century furniture and lighting fixtures mixed up with contemporary elements. Some of those who stand out are the lighting series by Michalis Anastasiadis for Flos, the “Surfboard” table by Charles and Ray Eames and The Artichair & Artitable by Spyros Kizis.

The first floor of the house overlooks “Kastro” and opens to two small terraces. The bedrooms are designed to be lighted from East and West and the metal dividing walls allow the view to the Medieval Castle. The balcony works as the main living room during summer months. Spyros Kizis designed and built the table and the bench of metal sheets in the color of olive.