Olive mill residence, Epidaurus

Established in the early 1960s by the current owner’s father, the olive mill was a family enterprise, and a central part of the local community during the olive harvest season.

Local growers would bring their olives for pressing. The next generation of the family, having relocated to Athens, sought a transformative initiative to reinvigorate the space, and bring back its life and vitality.

Their vision was to repurpose the olive mill into a holiday retreat, offering a haven for family and friends to gather and unwind. The client was familiar with our work and approached Stavropoulou Architects to create a flexible space that could accommodate a family of four, as well as weekend guests.

The existing mill is transformed into an open-plan living area, while a two-storey modern extension houses the bedrooms. In the basement, there is storage space, and on the ground floor, a central entrance connects the living and sleeping areas functionally and structurally.

Equipment from the building’s industrial past is incorporated into the interior design – notably dividing the living area and the kitchen.

Overall, the design redefines the vernacular house without copying conventional architectural forms.

The property is close to the area of the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, founded in the 4th century BCE, and excavated in the late 19th century. Today the recovered theatre hosts festivals and performances of ancient dramatic works.