Greek architectural firm Façade has successfully transformed a traditional fisherman's shelter on Milos Island into a contemporary meditative retreat, demonstrating how vernacular architecture can be preserved while adapting to modern needs. The project, called Siridi, revitalizes a sirma – a local term for the brightly painted boat shelters that dot the coastline of the Greek island – through minimal interventions that respect the structure's historical significance.
Sirmas originally served as winter refuges for fishermen and their vessels, with their rear portions carved directly into rock formations to create natural caves while their constructed facades opened directly to the sea. Over the decades, many of these utilitarian structures have been converted into living spaces, softening their practical origins with elements of domestic life. The Façade studio approached this transformation with what they describe as "quiet sensitivity," preserving the carved rock form while introducing contemporary elements that enhance the space's meditative qualities.
The architects describe the Siridi project as "living in the in-between," drawing inspiration from the etymology of "sirma," which derives from the Greek word meaning "to drag" or "to pull." This concept celebrates the motion and temporality that are inherently embedded in these traditional dwellings. The renovation maintains the integrity of the original form while introducing carefully considered modern elements that enhance functionality without compromising the structure's essential character.
The sleeping area remains carved into the rock, with rough stone surfaces left visible beneath a coating of traditional white limewash. Near the entrance, the kitchen and shower areas mark what the architects call "the rhythm of summer life," connecting the fundamental acts of bathing, cooking, and gathering to the surrounding landscape. Natural light filters through narrow openings, tracing the passage of each day across stone surfaces that retain the memory of salt air and coastal winds.
A particularly innovative feature is a single movable wooden table that slides along the length of the space, directly recalling the motion of boats once pulled ashore at this very location. This mobile piece allows the space to shift functions throughout the day, serving alternately as a work surface, dining table, or resting point. The table is painted in the same distinctive shade of blue as the sirma's door, creating a symbolic link to the traditional fisherman's craft and maintaining visual continuity with the structure's maritime heritage.
Behind the kitchen area, a delicate stainless-steel grid defines the auxiliary spaces while echoing the appearance of a fisherman's metallic net, known locally as "siridi" – which gives the project its name. This mesh-like partition allows air and light to move freely throughout the space while effectively delineating different functional zones without creating harsh divisions.
The external facade remains almost entirely untouched, preserving the authenticity of the original structure. Most notably, the wooden blue door – a recurring architectural motif found throughout the fishing villages of Milos Island – has been carefully preserved. This door embodies the continuity of Cycladic vernacular architecture and serves as a tangible reminder of the sirma's maritime origins and cultural significance.
The project represents a conscious resistance to the pressures of touristic transformation that have reshaped many traditional island dwellings throughout the Greek islands. Instead, Façade proposes a thoughtful model of adaptive reuse that honors the past while creating spaces suitable for contemporary contemplative practices. The renovation demonstrates how traditional architecture can be redefined through contemporary means without losing its fundamental essence or cultural significance.
The Siridi project was led by architect Haris Oikonomou, with design team members Maria Roumelioti and Marousa-Nektaria Korontzi contributing to the sensitive transformation. Their approach showcases how minimal interventions can dramatically enhance the functionality and appeal of traditional structures while maintaining their historical and cultural integrity.
