The architecture of Mani is defined by its imposing stone towers, which once served as defensive shelters. In our architectural proposal for a contemporary summer residence in Messinian Mani, we reinterpret this archetypal form by giving it a new horizontal presence.
The tower is transformed from a strict and isolated monument into the main spine of the residence, integrating all daily living spaces – living room, kitchen, dining area – into a continuous and linear flow. The entrance, positioned at one end of the elongated living space, leads to a semi-outdoor area that frames the sea, reconnecting the interior with nature. From the main volume – the tower – emerge the more private and auxiliary spaces – bedrooms, bathrooms, storage rooms – like spatial fragments, unfolding freely into the landscape.
This divergent arrangement generates movement and rhythm, while also shaping a protected outdoor core: an inner courtyard facing west. The shift from verticality to horizontality does not diminish the monumentality of the tower. On the contrary, it deconstructs its outdated phallic symbolism. The tower ceases to be a symbol of power and isolation, becoming instead a structure embedded in the environment, promoting a deeper relationship between people and the natural landscape.
Our approach does not reject tradition, but reshapes it to meet the needs of contemporary life. The horizontal layout improves quality of life, facilitates spatial flow, and strengthens the connection with the outdoors.
