Description
The project concerns the renovation of an existing building in the Old Town of Rethymno, accommodating four apartments and one commercial space within a total area of 255 sq.m. The intervention responds to the dense and narrow urban fabric of the historic center, where limited frontage and deep plots impose strong constraints on light, ventilation, and spatial quality.
The central architectural concept is the introduction and orchestration of natural light. Given the narrow geometry of the plot and the limited openings on the façades, the project rethinks the building’s interior as a sequence of spaces organized around two vertical light shafts. These skylights extend through the full height of the building, acting as spatial and atmospheric cores that distribute daylight deep into the interior.
Light is treated as a material element rather than a mere functional requirement. Glass blocks, translucent surfaces, and internal glazed openings positioned above eye level allow light to permeate horizontally and vertically while preserving privacy. This layered strategy transforms the interior into a softly illuminated environment, where light is filtered, diffused, and reflected across surfaces.
The material palette reinforces this atmospheric approach. Earthy-toned plastered walls provide a calm and tactile background, while wood is employed as a unifying architectural element in built-in furniture, partitions, and surfaces. The warmth of timber contrasts with the mineral quality of the walls and is animated by the changing light conditions throughout the day. Glass, both transparent and translucent, acts as a mediator between spaces, enhancing depth and continuity without compromising enclosure.
Rather than imposing a new architectural language, the intervention operates through subtraction, reinterpretation, and careful insertion. The renovated interiors seek to create contemporary living spaces that respect the character of the Old Town while introducing clarity, comfort, and spatial generosity within its constraints.
Ultimately, the project explores how light, materiality, and proportion can redefine an existing structure from within. By prioritizing atmosphere and spatial experience, the renovation offers a quiet yet deliberate architectural response, transforming limitation into opportunity and revealing the latent potential of the historic urban fabric.
