Dovecote of Mykonos

The renovation project of the Cycladic house featuring a preserved traditional dovecote is underway on the island of Mykonos, intending to transform it into seasonal rentals.

The terrain on which it is located has a steep slope overlooking the new port of the island, in the area of Tourlos. The main building consists of two levels housing two independent residences. The small building of the old dovecote is not being used, showing signs of wear and abandonment, with its roof already demolished.

In addition to renovating the main building, the client requested the restoration of the dovecote building, to integrate it as a fully functional part of the seasonal rental houses to be created. Additionally, our team was tasked with designing a seating area, a space for hosting gatherings, a barbecue area, and a swimming pool with a sea view for the surrounding building area.

The inspiration for the design of the seasonal rental houses “Dovecote in Mykonos” came from their own unique characteristics: the proportions of the building with its great height and small surface area, the dovecote requiring a functional solution, and the already demolished roof, which was eventually preserved. To address the peculiarity of the dovecote building, the design team opted to create a retreat – a place of isolation and relaxation for one to two people.

The central design concept was to focus the visitor’s attention upwards. Essentially, it aims to be a place where visitors can recline in the evening and afternoon, gazing at the sky.

This elongated geometry of the building seems to guide the visitor’s gaze upwards. The team aimed to amplify the building’s height further by opening up the roof, creating an illusion of greater interior height within the dovecote. The roof opening not only provides a view of the Cycladic sky but also introduces a breath of fresh air to the relatively compact space. To further enhance this sense of “elevation”, the dovecote’s seating, where guests recline, will be crafted from cloth and suspended above floor level – resembling a hammock or a net spanning from one wall to another.

The floor beneath the seat’s headrest is slightly elevated compared to the rest of the floor. The difference in level forms a low but raised and clean “bench” type space, which is separate from the floor on which the visitor steps, serving different purposes.

Another distinctive feature of the dovecote building is the square recesses in the inner walls, originally used for housing pigeons. They were preserved and repurposed as well for visitors to leave personal items such as a glass or a book, but also for the owner to display decorative items in the room.

As with the main building – the residences, the predominant color on the exterior is white. Light grey stone slabs were used in the surrounding area. Similarly, the walls are white inside and out in the dovecote, and the flooring mirrors the exterior. Aside from the compositional coherence achieved by the use of white, it also brightens the space, creating a sense of expansiveness, while also highlighting the inner wall recesses, emphasizing their shadows and contents. The choice of flooring aims to unify the dovecote with the outdoor area, encouraging guests to utilize it – perhaps lying down after a swim in the pool. Consequently, the dovecote building acquires a new communal character within the seasonal rental houses.