According to the conclusions deriving from the related study within the framework of the investigative subject, the architecture of the mountainous settlements of the Municipality of Istiea is purely folk in character. It is directly connected to the modern history of the area since it reflects the everyday life and the special living conditions, which render it particularly important and worthy of maintenance.
Simultaneously, a study about the current conditions of the area showed a declining course which is primarily due to unemployment. The diploma project is based on the conclusions of the investigative subject. It is divided into three sections. The first one refers to the restoration of the area through the development of alternative forms of tourism. What is recommended is the unification of the settlements through a cultural network. In every settlement particular buildings could be used for cultural purposes aiming at the promotion of the local architecture.
The second section concerns suggestions for the maintenance and the improvement of the cast of features of the settlements at a level of principles. The conservation and the elevation of the traditional buildings is recommended.
This presupposes the maintenance of their style and the atmosphere which characterizes them through interventions which will preserve the appearance, the construction and the constructive materials and through the removal of arbitrary accretions or outbuildings which distort its whole image. Within this framework, different types of accretions which could be added without harming the buildings en terms of aesthetics are explored since these accretions are imperative for the fulfillment of everyday needs.
The third section relates to the study of three buildings, with different function each, in settlements equal in number: a café (public place), the residence of the Turkish agha (the power) and a residence representative of the middle class.
Through the new uses which are recommended what is planned is the maintenance of the buildings in their original form with only few interventions. At the same time their extension to new constructions is proposed. In the designing of the new buildings a different rationale is applied in connection with the existing building. In the case of the café, which is small in size, the accretion follows the logic of the structure of the old building with various alternations so that it is distinguishable.
In the other two cases which refer to bigger buildings, in the designing of new constructions contrast is chosen. In the closed geometrical buildings, the new constructions are analyzed into levels whereas some general principles deriving from the existing buildings are observed.
In all three cases, the designing includes the tidying up of the surrounding area, which aims at the preservation of the harmonious relation between the natural and the built environment.