Santorini Island retreat by Kapsimalis Architects features rooftop and underground pools
Greek office Kapsimalis Architects has renovated a small white house on the cliffs of a Greek island, adding two roof terraces with plunge pools, and a third and more sizeable swimming pool in the basement (+ slideshow).
![A Holiday House in Santorini Island by Alexandros Kapsimalis and Marianna Kapsimalis](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/A-Holiday-House-In-Santorini-Island-by-Alexandros-Kapsimalis-and-Marianna-Kapsimali_dezeen_468_0.jpg)
Kapsimalis Architects converted a small property on the cliffside town of Fira, on the volcanic island of Santorini, Greece, to create the two-bedroom holiday home.
The house is split into two small volumes located on either side of a courtyard, on a densely built plot beside the coast.
![A Holiday House in Santorini Island by Alexandros Kapsimalis and Marianna Kapsimalis](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/A-Holiday-House-In-Santorini-Island-by-Alexandros-Kapsimalis-and-Marianna-Kapsimali_dezeen_468_2.jpg)
The architects added two terraces and large windows to foster better connections between interior and exterior spaces.
![A Holiday House in Santorini Island by Alexandros Kapsimalis and Marianna Kapsimalis](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/A-Holiday-House-In-Santorini-Island-by-Alexandros-Kapsimalis-and-Marianna-Kapsimali_dezeen_468_6.jpg)
"The connection between indoor and outdoor is achieved through the fact that the walls and the floor inside the house displays the same material as the exterior surfaces, finished in a local technique of white cement mortar," Alexandros Kapsimalis told Dezeen.
![A Holiday House in Santorini Island by Alexandros Kapsimalis and Marianna Kapsimalis](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/A-Holiday-House-In-Santorini-Island-by-Alexandros-Kapsimalis-and-Marianna-Kapsimali_dezeen_468_3.jpg)
The white mortar building is arranged over two storeys, with a lower-level bedroom, bathroom and swimming pool sunken partially into the rockface and a further bedroom on the floor above.
![A Holiday House in Santorini Island by Alexandros Kapsimalis and Marianna Kapsimalis](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/A-Holiday-House-In-Santorini-Island-by-Alexandros-Kapsimalis-and-Marianna-Kapsimali_dezeen_468_9.jpg)
The kitchen and dining area is located in a separate single-storey volume facing the sea.
![A Holiday House in Santorini Island by Alexandros Kapsimalis and Marianna Kapsimalis](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/A-Holiday-House-In-Santorini-Island-by-Alexandros-Kapsimalis-and-Marianna-Kapsimali_dezeen_468_13.jpg)
A wide arched recess in the wall of the living area encloses a kitchen sink, while the oven and fridge are hidden in alcoves to either side.
![A Holiday House in Santorini Island by Alexandros Kapsimalis and Marianna Kapsimalis](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/A-Holiday-House-In-Santorini-Island-by-Alexandros-Kapsimalis-and-Marianna-Kapsimali_dezeen_468_12.jpg)
The dining space is minimally dressed with white furniture and is bracketed by two large glass doors.
![A Holiday House in Santorini Island by Alexandros Kapsimalis and Marianna Kapsimalis](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/A-Holiday-House-In-Santorini-Island-by-Alexandros-Kapsimalis-and-Marianna-Kapsimali_dezeen_468_17.jpg)
One set of doors provides views and access to a terrace overlooking the sea, while the other leads to a courtyard and to the ground and upstairs bedrooms.
![A Holiday House in Santorini Island by Alexandros Kapsimalis and Marianna Kapsimalis](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/A-Holiday-House-In-Santorini-Island-by-Alexandros-Kapsimalis-and-Marianna-Kapsimali_dezeen_468_15.jpg)
In the ground floor bedroom, an archway positioned like a headboard behind the bed frames a view of an indoor swimming pool.
![A Holiday House in Santorini Island by Alexandros Kapsimalis and Marianna Kapsimalis](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/A-Holiday-House-In-Santorini-Island-by-Alexandros-Kapsimalis-and-Marianna-Kapsimali_dezeen_468_16.jpg)
The pool is sunken into the floor of a turquoise-lit room with a low vaulted ceiling that gives the space a cave-like appearance.
![A Holiday House in Santorini Island by Alexandros Kapsimalis and Marianna Kapsimalis](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/A-Holiday-House-In-Santorini-Island-by-Alexandros-Kapsimalis-and-Marianna-Kapsimali_dezeen_468_18.jpg)
Outside, a set of steps rises from the courtyard and splits at a landing, turning in one direction towards a sun deck and swimming pool on top of the kitchen, and in the opposite direction to the first floor bedroom.
Here, the bed is positioned on a platform level with a large window to take advantage of sea views.
![A Holiday House in Santorini Island by Alexandros Kapsimalis and Marianna Kapsimalis](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/A-Holiday-House-In-Santorini-Island-by-Alexandros-Kapsimalis-and-Marianna-Kapsimali_dezeen_468_19.jpg)
"The main intention of the project was the design of large openings, as much as possible, in order to offer a panoramic view, sunlight and a direct relation between interior and exterior spaces," said the architects.
![A Holiday House in Santorini Island by Alexandros Kapsimalis and Marianna Kapsimalis](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/A-Holiday-House-In-Santorini-Island-by-Alexandros-Kapsimalis-and-Marianna-Kapsimali_dezeen_468_10.jpg)
A bedside table and bench are carved into the platform, while rounded alcoves in the bedroom wall are used as wardrobes and for a bathroom sink.
![A Holiday House in Santorini Island by Alexandros Kapsimalis and Marianna Kapsimalis](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/A-Holiday-House-In-Santorini-Island-by-Alexandros-Kapsimalis-and-Marianna-Kapsimali_dezeen_468_7.jpg)
An arched glazed doorway leads out of the bedroom down a set of narrow white steps to another small pool.
![A Holiday House in Santorini Island by Alexandros Kapsimalis and Marianna Kapsimali](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/A-Holiday-House-In-Santorini-Island-by-Alexandros-Kapsimalis-and-Marianna-Kapsimali_dezeen_468_11.jpg)
Pale orange triangular awnings, contrasting the stark white facades of surrounding housing, are hung over the doorways to screen the terraces and glazing from the sun.
![A Holiday House in Santorini Island by Alexandros Kapsimalis and Marianna Kapsimalis](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/A-Holiday-House-In-Santorini-Island-by-Alexandros-Kapsimalis-and-Marianna-Kapsimali_dezeen_468_4.jpg)
Photography is by Julia Klimi and Stella Kritikou.
![A Holiday House in Santorini Island by Alexandros Kapsimalis and Marianna Kapsimalis](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/A-Holiday-House-In-Santorini-Island-by-Alexandros-Kapsimalis-and-Marianna-Kapsimali_dezeen_1.gif)
![A Holiday House in Santorini Island by Alexandros Kapsimalis and Marianna Kapsimalis](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/A-Holiday-House-In-Santorini-Island-by-Alexandros-Kapsimalis-and-Marianna-Kapsimali_dezeen_2.gif)
![A Holiday House in Santorini Island by Alexandros Kapsimalis and Marianna Kapsimalis](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/11/A-Holiday-House-In-Santorini-Island-by-Alexandros-Kapsimalis-and-Marianna-Kapsimali_dezeen_3.gif)