Yoga next to the sheep pen – A surprising farm in Mykonos with modern design, vegetable garden and chicken coop

How a classic 1990’s holiday home in Mykonos and a neighboring tourist complex with rooms for rent were completely transformed into a functional island farm with impressive minimal design, where yoga and rural life come first.

The main goal in a country house is for the tenants, when they come to it, to completely forget their life in the city. Crossing her threshold to leave together with their shoes in the wardrobe and the stresses of everyday life, obligations, running. The slowness of country life, the carelessness, this feeling of harmonizing with the rhythms of nature, is the only -authentic- luxury of the modern world.

The silence of a quiet morning, yoga in the mist of natural light, the aromas of figs and Mediterranean herbs in the vegetable garden outside the windows, the taste of a bream with fresh vegetables from the vegetable garden, the midday summer rastoni on the shady pergola, a hot coffee and a half-read book being flipped by the wind resting on the coffee table next to the hammock…

All these simple but precious moments that one enjoys when one is on the island, isolated in a small paradise on earth, far from the crowd but also from the rhythms of the city, was what the owner of this Mykonian farm had when he commissioned the project to architectural team of the office Mykonos Architects.

The importance of slowness

The briefing was clear: In this estate, time had to stop, to slowly turn back to a more authentic world of the past, to the rural roots of Mykonos, before the transformation of the island into a place of pilgrimage for everywhere celebrities and jet setters. The basic condition was that this return should take place in a world not nostalgic, idealized and picturesque, but genuine, with soil, rust, the ravages of time, the slow, natural patina of aging, but at the same time luxurious and comfortable.

“The client’s main request was, when he comes to his Mykonian home, to be able to forget the craziness of the city, life and society, leave his shoes in the wardrobe and feel the authenticity, the authentic and the nature again. He had just acquired two neighboring properties, and the plan was to extend the existing “summer house” by creating in one of the two buildings a yoga room and a huge living room, dining room and kitchen, and in the other four rooms and a staff apartment, in middle of his own private farm. The goal was to connect everything without any disruption and feel that time had stopped at the gate of his farm. All this integrating the obvious modern needs and luxury”, explains the team at Mykonos Architects office.

A… stable with a design and a yoga room

The project is called La Bergerie, which means “The Stable” in French. Real barns, chicken coops and vegetable gardens surround the luxurious country house with the minimal design that combines smart elements from Cycladic architecture, the wise austerity of the island aesthetics, the country style with wood dominating, the sculptural forms of Mykonian design, Art and the design.

“For us it was a crazy game as we had to design a vegetable garden, an orchard, a chicken coop and a sheep pen. We also visited old local farms, studied their details and working methods, and recreated all this without falling into a sterile and absurd imitation of the past. Every detail found in this land has been conscientiously designed and chosen: the stone steps placed asymmetrically, beautifully following the flow of the ground, the old “Maggano” well, the stone walls that are partially fallen, the rusty metal hinges of the aged wooden doors, the overgrown dirt road, the broken weathered stone porch bleached by the sun. Even the main pergola is designed and built around the existing trees. The La Bergerie project continues to evolve, with plans for a gym in an olive grove and a donkey sanctuary. This ongoing commitment reflects the enduring legacy and multifaceted appeal of this unique space. The study aims to preserve Mykonian architecture, creating a narrative with an authentic sensory experience,” says the design team of Mykonos Architects, Aude Mazelin and Chara Karatzalis.

Large windows that give well-being

The natural light generously gives a harmony to the interior, invading from the large windows – something paradoxical for the island architecture – in every corner of the residence. A yoga room sets the pace for the whole zen atmosphere that dominates the house. Art, traditional wood carving, but also modern design that loves natural materials, complete the scene.

Cement plasters, wooden parquets, dividing bookcases with sculpted Cycladic forms, works of art, feminine arches and built sconces with hidden lighting, exposed wooden beams in the ceiling, but also a country style kitchen, compose a calm space that exudes relaxation and well-being.

“The color palette, drawn from the native natural elements, orchestrates a composition smoothly woven into the surrounding landscape. Internally, the floors feature earth-toned cement screeds, which are extended to the exterior areas with tiled floors in harmonious tones. In particular, the floor of the yoga room is decorated with olive wood, giving it a natural yet distinct atmosphere,” Mykonos Architects explain.

“The artistic elements in each space are curated expressions of a local, French-born painter. Drawing inspiration from the local environment, the artist eschews conventional brushes in favor of unconventional media such as hay, earth and other natural elements. This distinctive choice not only imbues each room with unique character, but also creates a deep connection with the native’s authentic roots. The omission of air conditioning in the design is a deliberate choice. The incorporation of small, triangular-shaped tall openings serves as a strategic means to facilitate natural ventilation within the space. In addition, the expansive folding glass frames that adorn the Yoga House, intentionally left ajar during the summer months, enhance a seamless fluidity between indoors and outdoors. This design not only prioritizes sustainable and ecological practices, but also enhances the overall spatial experience by harmonizing with the natural elements. The transition between the main residence and the Yoga House unfolds through a meticulously designed network of exterior corridors, traversing a verdant garden adorned with native vegetation,” say Mykonos Architects.

Info: mykonos-architects.gr
Status: Completed
Year: 2020-2022
Design Team: Aude Mazelin | Hara Karatzalis
Photos: Spyros HoundBack to Genuity and Authenticity