ARP - Architecture Research Practice Beachhouse in Agia Kyriaki - Antiparos - Greece

1980s Beach House Renovation: Updating a Seaside Getaway for a Writer

This project involves the renovation of a small beach house on the Cycladic island of Antiparos, initially built in the 1980s. Located next to the Byzantine church of “Agia Kyriaki” (Saint Sunday, from which it takes its name), the building's outline remained intact, as current regulations prohibit any rebuilding on this site due to its proximity to the sea and its archaeological significance.

The house is preserved among ceramic antiquities. The choice of materials is simple and evokes the spirit of older houses built on the island. The ceramic tiles reference both this more recent architectural heritage and the ceramics found on-site during archaeological excavations. Marble from the neighboring island of Naxos was sourced for the kitchen countertop and bathrooms. Simple traditional openings made of pressed wood, with dimensions thoughtfully adjusted, are in keeping with the house's character, while accommodating modern needs.

The layout is straightforward—three rooms sit right on the beach alongside a semi-open space. The rooms include a kitchen and two bedrooms, with three bathrooms serving all of them. French-style moveable white shutters add flexibility to the semi-open space, which serves as the heart of daily life, providing an ideal gathering spot during hot summer afternoons for lunch and post-swim relaxation. The landscaping interventions are minimal, including a vegetable garden and soccer field where the family congregates during the summer.

About ARP – Architecture Research Practice

ARP – Architecture Research Practice is an architecture studio based in Athens, Greece. Founded in 2014 by Argyro Pouliovali, the practice has worked across several scales and typologies, ranging from private residences and hospitality and cultural projects to custom-designed objects and furniture. At its core, ARP is about enabling people to live well and in tune with their surroundings. Its approach is intrinsically Greek, focused on creating spaces using the essentials: light, flow, and proportions. Deeply rooted in genius loci – the spirit of a place -, the creative process begins with site investigations that form the design framework. A diversity of parameters is distilled into clear and precise forms, the architectural proposals.

About Argyro Pouliovali, Principal

Argyro Pouliovali is a Greek architect, designer, and founder of ARP – Architecture Research Practice. She has extensive experience in designing and realizing high-profile residential, hospitality, and cultural projects. Her work has garnered many distinctions and has been featured in acclaimed publications, including recognition from the Greek Architecture Awards and Dezeen Awards. ARP was included in the 2022 Wallpaper* Architects' Directory, and Argyro was named one of the winners of the Europe 40 Under 40 2023 awards by the European Centre for Architecture. Most recently, ARP was featured in the 11th Biennale of Greek Young Architects.

Prior to founding ARP, Argyro worked with Meili Peter Architekten in Zurich, and decaARCHITECTURE in Athens, where she led award-winning projects and won international competitions. She studied architecture at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and at ETH Zurich as a visiting scholar. As a sole female founder, she is dedicated to supporting women in the design industry.

Photo credit: Giulio Ghirardi