Etsi Architects took over the restoration of “Teloneio Kardamyli” in Messinia, Greece. The task was to turn a listed historical building into a modern family home, while respecting the history of the building and local cultural heritage. “Teloneio” is located near the port of Kardamyli since the 18th century and during 60’s operated as a motel. Architect’s goal was to open up and connect spaces, in order to transform the place to a house. While restoring the building, experts collaborate and  local materials and traditional techniques were used, including marble floors from Itilo quarry, olive wood and local pebbles for the pointing and repairs.

-text by the architects

We were struck by our clients’ unflinching belief in their vision and destiny when they imagined the Teloneio as their second home. They recognised the potential for restoration instantly, while also seeing themselves as custodians of an important historical monument.

Following distrust from locals about private restoration of Kardamyli’s landmark and a long approval process, we collaborated with a team of experts over eight years to bring the Teloneio back to life and give it a new purpose.

The brief:

Our task was to turn a listed historical building into a modern family home, while simultaneously respecting its place in the local landscape, history and community. 

Its location in the port of Kardamyli since the 18th century makes the Teloneio a focal point for the area and we wanted to honour that. After briefly being resurrected as a motel in the 1960s, it had been partially buried in concrete and fallen into disrepair, giving us the perfect opportunity to reimagine it as a home while preserving it for the future.

The challenge:

Because of its role as a fortified customs house, the Teloneio was originally designed for protection, with goods storage on the lower floor and defensive barracks space above. We needed to open up and connect spaces across both floors in both buildings, adding features to make it feel like a home. Our challenge centred on three main areas:

Restoration

We revealed the stunning 18th century stonework, turning short squat buildings into tall slender ones by careful excavation from the surrounding concrete. We then restored the shell in keeping with the original fortified Mani architecture. We also restored the roofs and added keyhole windows in the lower floors to add light and air and make it liveable.

Connected space

We wanted our clients to be able to move freely within and between spaces. Until this point, although the two buildings were attractively offset with a sheltered courtyard between them, all rooms had separate access from the outside. We connected the rooms within each building, added a staircase with a bold cut of the main vault, created access to the outdoors on the south side, and linked the two buildings together.

Materials

We see ourselves as ‘progressive regressionists’ and the Teloneio as an example of what can be achieved when experts collaborate in regenerative building. We used local materials including marble floors from Itilo quarry, olive wood furniture and veneers, and local pebbles for the entrance mosaic, employing traditional techniques for the pointing and repairs.

The design solution:

We achieved what we set out for: a state-of-the-art historical restoration and an elegant second home that maximises the sea views, with a flow between internal and external spaces. Four bedrooms, an office and three bathrooms across two buildings, and an open plan kitchen/dining/living area for a modern family to enjoy.

The project also transformed the local community, overcoming reservations in restoring a beloved landmark and becoming a visitor attraction. It went above and beyond what we and our clients hoped for.

Credits & Details
Project Name: Teloneio Kardamyli
Office Name: Etsi Architects , facebook , instagram , linkedin, pinterest 
Firm Location: Kardamyli, Messinia, Peloponnese, Greece
Completion Year: 2021
Gross Built Area (m2/ ft2): 250,3 sq.m.
Project Location: Kardamyli, Messinia, Peloponnese
Lead Architects: Eleni Tsigarida, Vangelis Sideris
Photo Credits: Panagiotis Voumvakis, Julia Klimi