Architect Georgina Andrei extends and revives a 1920s Cretan stone residence

Architect Georgina Andrei has completed the transformation of a modest 1920s stone house in Crete into a contemporary family space, preserving a sense of tradition while introducing a more organic and refined aesthetic. The project consists of two interconnected interventions: the restoration of the original house and a new, single-storey extension added on top.

Originally built as part of the refugee housing settlements of the early twentieth century, the existing structure represents a characteristic example of vernacular domestic architecture, now reinterpreted through a contemporary architectural language that allows the building to regain visibility and presence within the urban fabric.

“Rather than concealing the traces of the original dwelling, the intervention embraces the existing stone shell as a bearer of memory and spatial identity”.

Elements of the historic residence are preserved and incorporated into the new architectural composition, particularly within the lower level where the shared living functions are organized. Century-old details remain visible throughout the interior, contributing to an atmosphere that balances familiarity, permanence and subtle nostalgia.

“The new extension is constructed through a lightweight metallic structural system combined with a timber roof and an additional loft level”.

The design approach seeks to establish a coherent architectural dialogue between the permanence of the original masonry structure and the lighter contemporary intervention. Clean geometric volumes, semi-transparent surfaces, generous ceiling heights and a restrained material palette contribute to an environment defined by spatial clarity and continuity.

Within the upper levels, where the private sleeping quarters are located, the architectural composition explores variations in height and section to introduce spatial complexity and moments of openness. The shifting interior volumes generate a sense of lightness and optimism, reinforcing the experiential quality of everyday domestic life. The result is a residence where restoration and contemporary addition coexist without hierarchy, producing a unified architectural narrative grounded equally in memory and transformation.

Facts & Credits:

Project title: Stone-house extension in Chania city center, Typology: 1920s stone house | Reconstruction + Extention, Location: Chania – Crete – Greece, Architecture – Interior Design: Studio Georgina Andrei, Text description: Studio Georgina Andrei, Photography: Studio Nikos Kouklakis