LA^arc Architecture crafts summer house in Lefkada rooted in stone and sunlight

Perched on the western slopes of Lefkada, Casa Condriada overlooks the Ionian Sea with a quiet confidence. Designed by LA^arc Architecture as a summer retreat, the home feels less like an imposition on the landscape and more like a natural extension of it—earthy, elegant, and deeply rooted in its Mediterranean surroundings. Its name, drawn from the Venetian dialect word for “great stone”, is a nod to the local terrain and the nearby area of Kondri. Built from locally quarried stone and finished in warm-hued plaster, the house appears carved from the very hillside it rests on. There’s a clear Italian influence too, reflecting the cultural heritage of its owners, but it’s reinterpreted here with restraint and modernity. The house sits lightly in the landscape, bridging a traditional village and a stretch of pine forest. The result is a sense of stillness and seclusion, tempered by vast sea views and the hum of cicadas. A sequence of low, geometric volumes gives the building its calm, contemporary rhythm, while generous openings frame the changing light and sky. Inside, the material language is soft and tactile. Built-in furnishings and natural finishes cultivate a sense of permanence without heaviness. Light filters gently through each room, landing on handcrafted details and curated objects that speak to a certain kind of considered living. Art and architecture are in close conversation here. A sculptural marble dining table by Theodore Psychoyos anchors the terrace, while a ceramic installation by Giorgos Trichas adds subtle texture above the built-in sofa. Each piece has been chosen with curatorial care. In its balance of innovation and tradition, of craft and clarity, Casa Condriada is a place not just to stay, but to breathe, reflect, and feel connected.