Embracing its nostalgic landscape, Amalgama Arch. Lab designs Villa Roja in Patras by transforming a two-storey residence and a traditional stone guesthouse into a refined contemporary home. The renovation is organized around two primary volumes: the main residence, shaping daily family life, and a restored stone guesthouse with storage and a private music studio. Preserved elements coexist with bespoke interiors, while natural materials, earthy tones, and soft colours define its timeless character. A cohesive landscape strategy reinforces the connection between the building and the surrounding natural environment.
Nestled in the suburban landscape of Patras, Villa Roja is a sensitive residential renovation set within a verdant, almost untouched environment that feels suspended in time. Hidden among dense vegetation, the site comprises a two-storey residence and a traditional stone guesthouse, both carrying the architectural memory of another era. The project embraces the site’s nostalgic atmosphere and natural context while preserving the original house’s heritage character.
The result is a timeless unified residence deeply rooted in place.
The design unfolds around two primary structures: the main residence, which forms the functional and emotional core of family life, and the independent stone guesthouse, which also accommodates storage and a private music studio. The main house evolved through successive additions (1984, 1993, 2003), and the architectural intervention carefully consolidates these layers into a cohesive spatial narrative.
Original features, such as the reconstructed oak staircase, have been preserved to maintain a sense of continuity, while custom-designed furniture, a bespoke library, and a marble-clad kitchen with an adjoining pantry introduce a contemporary layer of warmth and elegance. A seamless connection between interior living spaces and the outdoor barbecue area and garden enhances bioclimatic performance and reinforces the dialogue between architecture and nature.
The interior design is defined by a restrained palette of natural materials and earthy tones.
Marble surfaces, wooden flooring, cotto tiles, and carefully curated textures establish a balanced yet expressive material language. Generous openings allow natural light to filter through the surrounding plane trees, strengthening the continuity between interior and exterior. The five bespoke bathrooms are conceived as distinct spatial narratives, ranging from playful marble compositions in the children’s bathroom to serene, spa-like environments in the master and guest suites.
The stone guesthouse, an early 20th-century L-shaped structure, stands as a preserved architectural landmark within the estate.
Originally accommodating a cellar, guest quarters, and staff housing, it has been thoughtfully restored and reprogrammed into a contemporary guesthouse, storage facility, and fully equipped music studio. The intervention prioritizes heritage preservation and adaptive reuse: exposed stone masonry is retained, while the timber roof has been reconstructed to improve structural performance without compromising its traditional character.
Enlarged openings introduce natural light, enhancing spatial quality and revealing the depth of materials. Inside, the guesthouse balances rustic identity with modern comfort. An open-plan layout integrates living, dining, and kitchen functions, while exposed wooden beams and natural stone walls maintain a strong connection to the building’s past.
Subtle contemporary elements, including blue window frames, establish a quiet dialogue with the surrounding landscape.
The broader transformation of the site includes a cohesive landscape strategy. Stone pathways connect the buildings, while outdoor living is enriched with a swimming pool, outdoor kitchen, pergolas, and a wood-fired oven. An olive grove, vegetable gardens, and preserved plane trees further reinforce a lifestyle that is both nature-integrated and sustainable.
Facts & Credits
Title Villa Roja
Typology Architecture, Residence Renovation
Location Suburb of Patras, Greece
Status Completed, 2025
Area 6400 m²
Architecture Amalgama Architectural Lab
Author Foteini Gennatou
Photography Alessandro Kikinas
Text by Foteini Gennatou, Eftihia – Maria Kontogeorgopoulou, George Kalemis
Take a look at another project ‘An Artist’s Apartment in Nafpaktos’ by Amalgama Architectural Lab, here!