This diploma thesis focuses on the redesign of an intermediate public space within the traditional settlement of Spetses, located between two historic mansions -the Anargyros Sotirios Mansion and the Bouboulina’s Mansion- as well as on the adaptive reuse of the Anargyros Sotirios Mansion. The study area occupies a key position within the settlement, in close proximity to the island’s port and near the center. The neoclassical Anargyros Sotirios Mansion constitutes an example of 20th century architecture and it is linked to the historical, social, and cultural identity of Spetses. Today, it is designated as a listed heritage building. The primary objective of the thesis is the activation of the preserved building shell through the promotion of traditional craftsmanship, by creating a dynamic space for learning, creation, and knowledge exchange. The interior of the mansion accommodates workshops for weaving, pebble mosaic construction, and painting, as well as exhibition spaces and a library, functions that are accessible to both the local community and visitors to the island. At the same time, the redesign of the intermediate public space aims to unify the courtyards of the two mansions and to form a coherent and functionally active green space for walking, social interaction, and leisure, through the introduction of new uses. The courtyard of the mansion and the surrounding public space are organized into distinct levels of movement and pause taking advantage of the site’s topographical variations. Furthermore, the cultural experience extends into the outdoor space through covered exhibition points displaying the workshops creations, while the strong presence of pine trees contributes to the formation of natural shading conditions and to the harmonious integration of the intervention into the landscape of the traditional settlement.
Key words: Historic building, traditional settlement, neoclassical architecture, traditional craftsmanship, green space