Press Kit | no. 5840-01
Press release only in English
Tetris House
ARP - Architecture Research Practice
Repurposing a Decade-Old Concrete Structure with Simple Geometry
An existing concrete structure serves as the starting point for this project. Such structures emerged in the Greek landscape as a result of a regulation that allowed owners to extend permit validity if they proceeded with constructing just the structural frame of the buildings. When the architects received the commission, this frame had been standing in the landscape for over a decade. The decision to reuse the existing concrete frame was deliberate, acknowledging fundamental issues of sustainability, economy, and legislation in architecture—particularly given the mounting pressure of over-tourism in the Cycladic islands.
The architects responded with a strategy of subtraction and addition using basic geometries. They carefully demolished only essential parts of the existing structure and inserted L-shaped and rectangular volumes to achieve formal and programmatic clarity. This approach provided an uncompromised solution for the lot that transcended both its past constraints and complex regulations. The plot itself is defined by its flat terrain and proximity to the port and village. With neighbors on all sides, except the western edge, which is expected to remain undeveloped due to its protected forestry status, it lacks the extroversion of the typical seaside plot.
The house is a delicate balance between introversion and openness. At the ground level, strategic placement of volumes around a central pool forms an inner courtyard, balancing unobstructed views and privacy where construction is either anticipated or has already taken place. This way, the house moves away from a conventional array of rooms and proposes a more communal concept of living with water as the focal point of daily life. On the upper floor, the living room and master suite overlook both the bustling port and the island’s northern wilderness, with a large window that allows the inhabitants to gaze at the port activity. An exterior staircase provides independent access to the master floor and roof, which offers unobstructed views. The house almost unassumingly emerges and nods to its surroundings with its simple geometry.
Except for the standard cross-ventilation and efficient thermal insulation strategies, a skylight at the top of the interior stairs transforms them into a cooling tower for the house. PV panels provide enough electricity for the building to operate without putting further pressure on the grid. Native trees and flora require minimal water and filter views of neighboring hotel facilities, thus preserving privacy without ignoring the reality of building within the existing village sprawl.
Technical sheet
Project Name: Tetris House
Completion Date: September 2024
Location: Antiparos, Cyclades, Greece
Client: Private
Architects: ARP - Architecture Research Practice
Mechanical Engineers: TETRAS S.A.
Structural Engineers: Erisma
Interiors: Vana Krimnioti
Landscape Architect: H. Pangalou & Associates
Photography: Giulio Ghirardi Studio
General Contractor: Doriki Techniki
Suppliers: EXPO SA, Textures and Tiles, Bausytem, Delta Marbles, Develime, Diedron
Brands : BEGA, Modular, Hansgrohe, Zanneti Chini, SMEG, Miele, VOGUE CERAMICA
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.
For more information
Media contact
- ARP - Architecture Research Practice
- Argyro Pouliovali
- argyro@arp.com.gr
- +302169001739
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High-resolution image : 15.59 x 11.69 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 15.59 x 11.69 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 15.59 x 11.69 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 15.59 x 11.69 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
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High-resolution image : 11.69 x 15.59 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
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High-resolution image : 15.59 x 11.69 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
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High-resolution image : 15.59 x 11.69 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 15.59 x 11.69 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 15.59 x 11.69 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 15.59 x 11.69 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 15.59 x 11.69 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 11.69 x 15.59 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 15.59 x 11.69 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 15.59 x 11.69 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 15.59 x 11.69 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 15.59 x 11.69 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 15.59 x 11.69 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 16.54 x 11.02 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 15.59 x 11.69 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 11.69 x 15.59 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 16.54 x 11.02 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 16.54 x 11.02 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 15.59 x 11.69 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 11.69 x 15.59 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 11.69 x 15.59 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 11.69 x 15.59 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 11.69 x 15.59 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 11.69 x 15.59 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
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High-resolution image : 11.69 x 15.59 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 11.69 x 15.59 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 11.69 x 15.59 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 11.69 x 15.59 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
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High-resolution image : 15.59 x 11.69 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 11.69 x 15.59 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 15.59 x 11.69 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 15.59 x 11.69 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
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High-resolution image : 11.69 x 15.59 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 11.69 x 15.59 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
High-resolution image : 15.59 x 11.69 @ 300dpi ~ 47 MB
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