Thirty years ago, Vici stood on the rocky hillsides of Serifos and imagined a home made of stone — like the traditional dwellings that once dotted the island. No one thought it was possible on her budget.
source.image: Kirsten Dirksen
At the time, stone construction was seen as outdated, impractical, and prohibitively difficult. But Vici held on to her vision. Bit by bit, she built her sanctuary — starting with a one-room, earth-sheltered studio partially carved into the hillside, where her family of four lived in the early years.
To fund the project, she began renting out the home during the high season, moving into makeshift shelters on the patio during the summer months. With each passing year, she added more — local stone, hand-placed, and guided by tradition.
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Today, her home and its detached guesthouse are considered prototypes for low-impact Cycladic architecture. Stone — once dismissed — is being rediscovered. And Vici lives in the home she once dreamed of, shaped by patience, persistence, and a deep respect for the land.
