Eleni Tsigarida on Architecture, Restoration, and the Living Heritage of Mani | Interview with Naftemporiki TV
Eleni Tsigarida on Architecture, Restoration, and the Living Heritage of Mani | Interview with Naftemporiki TV
In a recent interview with Naftemporiki TV, architect Eleni Tsigarida, founder of ETSI Architects, discusses the relationship between architecture, restoration, and the preservation of historic buildings.
Working primarily in the Mani Peninsula in southern Greece, ETSI Architects has developed a practice focused on the careful restoration and adaptive reuse of historic structures. The studio’s work explores how architecture can respect the character of existing buildings while allowing them to remain functional and meaningful in contemporary life.
In the interview, Eleni Tsigarida reflects on the responsibility architects have when working with historic fabric. Rather than treating heritage buildings as static monuments, she describes restoration as an ongoing dialogue between past and present. Traditional materials, local construction techniques, and the unique landscape of Mani all play a role in shaping a design approach that values continuity and restraint.
Across projects ranging from restored stone houses to adaptive reuse of historic structures, the work of ETSI Architects demonstrates how architecture can preserve cultural memory while creating spaces that respond to modern needs. By carefully balancing preservation and transformation, historic buildings are allowed to evolve without losing their identity.
This approach is particularly relevant in regions like Mani, where the built environment is closely connected to landscape, climate, and local craftsmanship. The studio’s projects often highlight the relationship between architecture, light, natural materials, and the experience of place.
The conversation with Naftemporiki TV offers insight into the philosophy behind ETSI Architects’ work and the broader role of architecture in sustaining living heritage.
Watch the full interview below.
