![Vacation House in Karyes / Plaini and Karahalios Architects - Stairs](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/580a/ef73/e58e/ce84/4400/00e1/newsletter/Vacation_House_in_Karyes_13.jpg?1477111657)
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Architects: Plaini and Karahalios Architects
- Area: 150 m²
- Year: 2015
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Photographs:Nikos Papageorgiou
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Manufacturers: Simas, kalotaranis
![Vacation House in Karyes / Plaini and Karahalios Architects - Windows, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/580a/f07e/e58e/ce84/4400/00f1/newsletter/Vacation_House_in_Karyes_02.jpg?1477111924)
Text description provided by the architects. This is a two-story building of the early 20th century, a typical village house of the Peloponnese with the main living areas on the upper level and the lower level used separately for agricultural functions.
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/580a/f212/e58e/ce84/4400/0103/newsletter/Vacation_House_in_Karyes_Section_Perspective.jpg?1477112328)
The adaptation of the building into a contemporary vacation house was based on two main principles. On the one hand the spaces were arranged in a fluid and continuous way, without setting firm boundaries. On the other hand it was important to underline the differentiation of the two levels.
![Vacation House in Karyes / Plaini and Karahalios Architects - Lighting, Stairs, Handrail, Chair](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/580a/f06e/e58e/ce84/4400/00f0/medium_jpg/Vacation_House_in_Karyes_01.jpg?1477111908)
The upper and the lower level create a distinct dipole, the former as an area of winter living and the latter as the summer counterpart. The upper level is the reminder of the old main house and preserves the formal elements and the hierarchical arrangement. The ceiling and the walls are painted green, forming a dialogue with the surrounding mountains. The green box organizes the living area. The old terrazzo is fully preserved as a reminiscent of the old plan. All the new floors that define the new functions are structured around it.
![Vacation House in Karyes / Plaini and Karahalios Architects - Image 14 of 18](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/580a/f01a/e58e/ce84/4400/00eb/medium_jpg/Vacation_House_in_Karyes_05.jpg?1477111823)
The lower level vividly illustrates the initial stonewalls and all the subsequent structural interventions of the building. The various and diverse elements are whitewashed and unified. The space is divided into three cascading sub-areas aiming at different levels of privacy.
![Vacation House in Karyes / Plaini and Karahalios Architects - Arcade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/580a/eff5/e58e/ce84/4400/00e9/newsletter/Vacation_House_in_Karyes_11.jpg?1477111785)
The dipole is also present at the facades. The lower level is whitewashed unlike the upper part where the render remains intact, revealing the footprint of time.
![Vacation House in Karyes / Plaini and Karahalios Architects - Windows](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/580a/f08f/e58e/ce84/4400/00f2/newsletter/Vacation_House_in_Karyes_03.jpg?1477111941)
The main quality of the old building lies in its cross section, a non-visible condition. The contemporary intervention reveals that quality and turns it into an everyday experience.
![Vacation House in Karyes / Plaini and Karahalios Architects - Bed, Bedroom, Beam](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/580a/ef63/e58e/ce84/4400/00e0/newsletter/Vacation_House_in_Karyes_14.jpg?1477111640)
Product Description. One of the main features of the interior is that the space is green all around and the floor materials define the different areas. Three different materials (forged cement, cement tiles and oak wood) are arranged around the old L shaped terrazzo.
![Vacation House in Karyes / Plaini and Karahalios Architects - Image 11 of 18](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/580a/f05e/e58e/ce84/4400/00ef/newsletter/Vacation_House_in_Karyes_09.jpg?1477111891)