AMPHITHEATRO

BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN ABELAKI, MEGANISI

Adapting Place: A Quiet Transformation

Perched on a hillside overlooking the sea of Meganisi’s Ampelaki cove, two existing stone houses, surrounded by centuries-old olive trees, are transformed into a small contemporary resort.

Originally separate structures linked by a peculiar narrow corridor, the buildings are fully reconfigured into a retreat comprising six guest rooms, alongside essential spaces for reception, cooking, and storage.

The intervention introduces subtle contrasts to soften the rigid geometry of the original forms. A steel canopy spans the two volumes, creating a shaded outdoor space that houses an open kitchen and extends toward a swimming pool. A curving bench weaves beneath a circular shade, softening the lines of the rectilinear stone facades.

The outdoor space, constructed entirely anew, unfolds across three levels, with the central terrace serving as a shared gathering space, while the adjacent levels extend from the ground-floor rooms, offering secluded outdoor areas. Openness is therefore balanced with privacy, allowing each guest to experience both connection and retreat within the landscape.

Materials root the project in its surroundings. Earthy tones and muted hues applied on steel, plaster, and wood complement the natural stone, establishing a soft dialogue between the built and natural environment. The approach embraces simplicity, allowing the architecture to serve as a backdrop to the landscape. Quietly supporting the experience of place, the transformation frames the changing light, the sea, and the rustling of olive trees.