Restored Kaimakli residence in Cyprus develops around two internal courtyards.

Anastasiou Misseri restores and extends listed building in Nicosia.

Anastasiou Misseri studio’s Kaimakli Residence project sees the restoration and extension of an abandoned listed building in Nicosia, Cyprus. Located in the area of Kaimakli, at the end of a row of single-story terraces that maintain large Mediterranean gardens at the rear of their plots, the structure transforms into a modern residence for the new owners.

The listed building underwent a comprehensive restoration, including structural repairs, stone restoration, and plaster replacement using traditional techniques, along with the complete renewal of the roof and wooden beams. The restoration remained faithful to the original design, with timber window frames reconstructed and handmade cement tiles replaced.

Kaimakli Residence harmonizes historic and modern elements

The main entrance room was repurposed as a dining space, while the adjacent rooms were converted into a living room and study. An extension at the rear accommodates a spacious kitchen, utility room, and guest bathroom on the ground floor, with two bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor. A clear distinction between old and new was maintained in both form and materiality, with a corridor bridging the two volumes and creating two internal courtyards. Constructed with a steel frame, the extension features exposed beams that enhance the sense of space.

To create harmony between the historic structure and the addition, the design team integrated colors from the original building into the extension’s finishes, including terrazzo flooring, staircase details, bathroom features, and kitchen design. Large openings across four functional facades connect indoor and outdoor spaces, providing unobstructed views from the main entrance to the back garden. The design enhances spatial transitions, incorporating natural light and the surrounding landscape as integral elements of the home.

*The Kaimakli Residence restores and extends a listed building in Nicosia, Cyprus*.

*The residence reinterprets traditional Cypriot architecture through a modern lens*.

*Located at the end of a row of historic terraces, the residence integrates old and new*.

*Structural repairs and traditional restoration techniques preserve the original character*.

*A corridor links the old structure with the new, creating two internal courtyards*.

The restoration remained faithful to the original design, with timber window frames reconstructed and handmade cement tiles replaced.

*Large openings connect indoor and outdoor spaces, integrating light and landscape*.

*The restoration respects the original structure while introducing contemporary materials*.

*Open courtyards enhance natural ventilation and spatial fluidity*.

*The careful restoration ensures longevity while preserving historic integrity*.

*The adaptive reuse of the structure gives it a new purpose for contemporary living*.

Project info:

Name: Kaimakli Residence
Architects: Anastasiou Misseri
Structural engineer: Michael Pittas
Consulting structural engineers M&E engineer: Louis Vakanas MEP Consulting Engineers
Area: 180 sqm
Location: Kaimakli, Nicosia, Cyprus
Photographer: James Retief

SOURCE: DESIGNBOOM
Editing: Christina Vergopoulou | designboom
Translation supervision: Interiors pick Team